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:

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  Disenchanted owner - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Gary R. - October 17 - 11:10 am

  I wrote a review on this car (2008 Lucerne CX)in May of 2009 and here is an update. With the help of an Attorney, a Lemon Law Lawsuit was filed (June 2009) against Buick division regarding possible mechanical failure.(Steering rack/transmission/power steering unit) GM responded "You claim does not cover apperance issues, therefore your claim is denied. Appearance issues? Where did that come from? In addition, shortly after filing the lawsuit, GM filed bankruptcy and guess where that left me. NEVER AGAIN will I by GM junk. They lost a faithful customer who bought many of their cars/trucks over 35 years.

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  never buy g.m. again - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By TD - October 15 - 5:36 pm

  Some nice features to this car but far too many problems. Some minor things like interior flooding due too sunroof problems. Windows are scratched pretty deeply in some spots from going up and down. Big problem was rear differential needing to be replaced at a cost of $3000. Buick would offer no assistance or explanation for such a problem in a relatively new car.

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  OK car, but dont pay much for it - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Take your chances - October 13 - 5:57 pm

  This is maybe a good car if you live in a warm climate. Up here in the north, it has some serious flaws. The Lesabre is poorly designed for corrosion resistance. The left and right rocker panels have rusted completely through. The body shop manager said this happens on every Lesabre he sees. He attributes it to poor body design. The tires throw slush and salt into the rocker panels. The salt water cant drain easily, so it stays and causes rust. The inner wheel wells have the same problem. The front anti-sway bar often breaks in this model. Salt water accumulates at several points, causing it to weaken from rust. Mine was broken on both sides! The A/C compressor doesnt last long.

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  Steve Preston - 2009 Buick Lucerne
  By Steve - September 30 - 3:18 pm

  My new Buick gives me 3 mpg less mileage than my 1993 La Sabre. Acceleration at 60 is very, very poor especially when typical highway speed is 65 to 70 mph.

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  Buick Smells Like Gas - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Bruce - September 30 - 1:19 am

  I have a 2009 Buick Enclave that I bought brand new in May. I have put 2500 miles on it. I told the dealer after about a week, that I smelled a raw fuel smell inside of the car. I didnt know it smelled from the outside until a friend told me after driving behind me. They tried to say it was the evap system but that smells way too much. The inside fuel smell happens when I turn a sharp corner or come to a stop. My kids, wife and I get sick when we go on a long drive and have headaches and nausea. It is a raw fuel smell. Like unburned fuel. Now even under the Lemon Law, GM wont budge as if Im making this up. Ill never buy a GM again.

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  2008 Buick CXL 3.8 V-6 - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By EAB - September 28 - 5:20 pm

  Not much of an Automobile. Door Handle pulled out of door at 9000Miles, BBrake rotors warped at 5500 Miles, Dealer wanted to turn rotors and put old Brake Pads back on, Customer was of no assistance, paid for new pads and rotors out of my pocket, I have driven Buicks since 1965 and this is my last GM Car. Will definately buy Lexus Or Toyota Avalon.

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  Fuel Smell - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By fueled - September 27 - 4:32 am

  Everything that everyone says about how good this vehicle is, is true. The vehicle itself is great, but mine smells like fuel occasionally when coming to a stop. The exhaust tips are super black and I only have 2500 miles on it. Ive been to the dealer so many times that I will never buy a GM again.

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  2006 Buick Rendezvous AWD - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bob - September 22 - 9:28 pm

  Have had this car for 3 and half years now. Problems, AWD failed in the winter (short in the wiring) failed rear hatch touchpad, leaking transfer case and unreliable fuel gauge. Had to replace table bushings, tie rods, knuckle bushings and both front and rear brakes before reaching 40k. Thank God for the 48 month warranty. I am 54 and do not drive hard or abuse my vehicles. I own a 03 buick century that the wife drives and only had to change the front brakes once in 6 years. Rendezvous quality control stinks and I now understand why they do not make them anymore. When my lease expires in May, it is gone!!

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  Getting rid of soon...not soon enough - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By lkg112 - September 13 - 8:59 am

  When we bought ours in 2005, it had 41,000 miles on it. We now have just under 88,000 and its going to go when we get it out of the shop, AGAIN. We average around every 3-4 months in the shop for around a week at a time. Lots of issues, including new bearings, VersaTrak suspension went out, wiper motor didnt work after a month into the purchase. Several big ticket items. We purchased an extended warranty--4 years/100,000 miles through GM. We have gotten our moneys worth out of the warranty. Unfortunately, 4 years expired in July and now we have to have the rear differential replaced to the tune of $1500 out of our pocket. Ouch. Bye bye Buick. Not buying another GM product. P.O.S.

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  The Skylark I named BUCK - 1992 Buick Skylark
  By Rory - September 7 - 12:12 am

  When I first got this car it ran good. I drove it from Independence IA to Waukesha WI for 2 years without a problem. I moved back to Iowa and I started to realize the waterpump was going out. Had that fixed plus 2 sensors replaced, 1 on the engine and 1 in the tranny. It ran fine for a year and a half. Now it runs bad. Ive put a code reader on it and it pulls nothing. It just sits out back now.