Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Buick is one of this country's oldest brands, with a rich tradition of innovation that dates back more than a century. Though long known for catering to retirement-age customers with its full-size sedans, the automaker's lineup now includes SUVs and sport sedans designed to bring younger buyers into the showrooms of Buick dealers.

The company was founded in 1903 by David Dunbar Buick, a Scottish industrialist. He built his first car in 1904; called the Model B, it had a two-cylinder engine with an advanced-for-its-time overhead-valve cylinder head design. In 1907, Buick unveiled its first four-cylinder production car, dubbed the Model D. The following year, the Flint, Michigan-based Buick Motor Company was bought by William C. Durant as part of a new company called General Motors. By 1914, all Buicks were built with six-cylinder engines and purchased primarily by upper-class professionals, thus earning the nickname "doctor's cars."

The manufacturer proved itself a trailblazer in the early 1920s when it introduced four-wheel brakes. This technology had been seen before on custom-built cars, but Buick was the first to figure out how to successfully apply it to mass-produced vehicles. Eight-cylinder Buick cars emerged in the 1930s and became immensely popular; these advanced engines received steady improvements for several years. The '30s also saw Buick's introduction of the industry's first rear turn signal to use a flasher.

Models such as the Estate Wagon and the ever-popular Roadmaster kept Buicks happily ensconced in driveways all across the nation in the 1940s. In 1948, Buick introduced Dynaflow, the first torque converter-type automatic transmission offered in U.S. passenger cars. The 1950s and 1960s witnessed Buick continuing to zoom ahead of the curve; it was among the first to offer vehicles with power brakes and steering, and 12-volt electrical systems. The marque was also behind the introduction of the first American V6 passenger car engine and introduced the Riviera personal luxury coupe in the early '60s.

On the whole, though, Buick had made its name as a manufacturer of stately land yachts such as the Electra 225. To meet the changing times, the automaker downsized its full- and midsize models during the 1970s and began offering compact and midsize sedans for the 1980s. During the latter period and into the '90s, Buick changed things up by introducing the Regal Grand National muscle car and Reatta luxury coupe and convertible. But its core product continued to be luxury sedans aimed at an older audience.

Today, Buick specializes in sedans and crossover SUVs and is modifying its philosophy in the hopes of attracting younger buyers. Luxury and class are still common themes, but newer models have European influences in their handling and ride dynamics. As such, many modern Buicks, such as the compact Verano sedan provide a more entertaining drive and more contemporary styling than people might expect from this "old" nameplate.

User Reviews:

• 

  Overpriced for this vehicle - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By tony - November 24 - 12:19 am

  Terrible build quality. Noisy,hard riding, terrible glove compartment. Middle seats dont adjust far enough. Engine underpowered. For the money buy the Honda Oddessy. Test drove it after I purchased the Buick, no comparison. Honda wins, big time. My mistake, I should of test drove the vehicle.

• 

  Not Buicks best effort - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By autoworker239 - November 15 - 8:19 pm

  This vehicle is plagued with problems ranging from annoying to down right dangerous. Newer versions have corrected some of the problems but some of the more serious ones still remain including premature wheel hub failures, faulty wiring and bad transmissions. If you insist on buying one youd better purchase the extended warranty and towing insurance because youre going to need it.

• 

  Stress factor - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By booo buick - October 27 - 11:59 pm

  Ever since I got this car it has caused tension, especially in the winter. The electrical problem is such that the car just dies and its not the battery! The a/c has gone, the brakes have gone, and there was a bearing problem and tires getting worn due to easy skid on the turns, no control. Very disappointed with this car. I hope it lasts me another year or so at least.

• 

  Dont buy one - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Lin Young - October 14 - 1:55 am

  Unquestionably this is the worst GM product in recent history. Seats are like setting on a wood box, engine destroyed itself at 11,000 miles, ABS/Traction Control did not work for over 8 weeks. The horn button requires over 50 pounds to activate. It wont pull itself on level road in 4th gear. The seats will not adjust to anyone large or small. Middle seats are close to front even for a short person. The rear seat is not adjustable. We have owned over 25 GM vehicles over the last 30 years, this one is deplorable. The 1999 Oldsmobile we formerly owned was far superior to the Terraza.

• 

  Disappointed Owner - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By JIM DITTMAR - October 4 - 9:57 am

  I have had extremely poor mileage and there is a strange sound from the engine. Plus there are strong sulphur smells occurring.

• 

  94 Skylark GS - 1994 Buick Skylark
  By Timothy - September 16 - 5:15 am

  Numerous electrical problems, transmission problems. The worst brakes ever, need to replace them every year

• 

  My Lemon - 1996 Buick Century
  By Century Special - September 2 - 11:52 am

  Since the day I bought the car brand new, Ive had problems with it. The dealership did nothing but blame it on my tires. It has front end shimmy so bad, I cant keep tires on it. The window motor failed. The door lock broke. The intermitent windshield wipers were just that...intermitent. They worked when the felt like it. The heater died. The brakes had to be continually replaced. I have not one good thing to say about this car. Dont buy this car.

• 

  Not a happy camper - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By m.r. jensen - August 25 - 12:14 am

  It does not track well on the highway and wants to wander from left to right. It requires constant correction, and is very tiring for long distance drives. It also has a very bad blind spot on left door post. I dont like cruise control on the steering wheel, you have to take eyes off road to set it.

• 

  OK car - 1992 Buick Regal
  By pop123 - August 19 - 3:07 am

  I have had multiple problems with the alternator and electrical systems. This car is only good for city driving, not highway. It has been in the repair shop overall 13 times for different reasons!

• 

  Nothing but trouble - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jbholt - August 12 - 10:50 am

  Let me start by saying that for the first 1.5 - 2 years, we loved this vehicle. At about 40,000 miles (just after the warranty ran out), we started to have problems that I dont think should ever occur on such a new vehicle. The air conditioning compressor cracked, and we were told that it was an engineering flaw (replaced to the tune of over $900). Just this week, we had to replace the head gaskets (Ive NEVER had to replace head gaskets before) and the fan motor --- this bill was $1331. Because of the problems we have had with this vehicle, we will never buy another GM (weve been loyal GM customers for the last 17 years).