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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  Leaky Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Micki Clevenger - September 27 - 1:40 am

  Looks good and feels good. The bells and whistles could be better quality. Not enough power. Transmission seems to have problems finding gears. My check engine light has come on 3 times. Most frustrating is the car leaks when it rains! the car is now rusting inside from it. the car has been in for service 3 times and they still have not fixed it right.

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  Excellent - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By R. B. - September 26 - 1:56 pm

  Excellent performance; Very smooth ride; comfortable inside; looks great; fun to drive. But when my battery went dead after only 2 days, I could not open the trunk to get at my jumper cables. Trunk lid cannot be opened without battery power. Design flaw. Reason for recall?

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  Could have been a great vehicle but... - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By chumster - September 26 - 8:10 am

  I accept the fact that my Enclave might be a lemon. Camshafts, weird engine noises, minor electrical freak- outs- and thats only within the first 3 months of ownership. The design is good but build quality is very average - panels do not align well, some a crooked, etc. It does what it is designed for - haul 7-8 people, but the transmision will make you adjust your driving style to a typical Buick drivers style. Add a virtually non-existent support by GM/local dealers ( I tried a few) and you may want to think carefuly before you but it.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By H.Lyon - September 25 - 5:03 pm

  Great birthday present! Fun to drive. Accceleration is decent. Handling is excellent. Get lots of looks and positive comments when out 7 about. Easy to drop the top, even though its a manual process. Had pop-up headlights repaired, and power window driver side needs replacement, and thatss all. Currently have 54k miles on her.

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  Great ride - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Doug - September 24 - 8:06 pm

  Took this on a 5500 mile trip this summer and was very happy.. good mileage and a super ride. Drove 75 (was on a lots of freeways) and got 23 miles a gallon..XM radio was really great as I am a first time user. I have 12,000 miles and its running super. Took a little getting used to the six speed transmission in town but now I am used to it..

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  High Quality Vehicle - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By MN Driver - September 23 - 11:41 pm

  We compared the Enclave to the Audi Q7 and replaced a Yukon XL. My wife wanted something smaller, but that still has a third row. We initially were focused on the Acadia, but kept looking at the Enclave in the showroom and appreciated the chrome wheels and more refined interior. My wife preferred the Enclave versus the Q7 and we saved 13K as well.

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  Best car for the dollar - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By CB in Ohio - September 22 - 10:15 am

  I drive a lot, 5600 in the past month and a half. The gas mileage is great for the size of car, avg. city/hwy now 26.4. Straight highway-no air on, I got 29.9 over several hundred miles through hilly terrain. I love the ride

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By F. J. WULFF - September 21 - 5:59 pm

  The 2008 Buick Lucerne CXL is an excellent vehicle. Build quality is high, performance is adequate to high, reliability is high, and value for money is high. Would recommend and purchase, again, this model.

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  Buick Lacrosse - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Tyler - September 21 - 5:33 am

  Switching from a Regal GS to this vehicle was like night and day. The car is incredibly smooth and has great handling. The seats are very comfortable, much more than the Regals which got uncomfortable after long trips. The one thing that stands out the most to me is the quietness of the car. I just wish they would have given the car a little bit more power but I can never have enough power.

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  Love Buick LaCross 2008 and 2005 - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Adria Pou - September 20 - 2:01 pm

  Bought a beautiful red Buick LaCrosse Super 2008 a month ago and its everything I could have wanted. Previously had a 2005 Buick LaCrosse 2005 which I traded in for this. The Super is slightly roomier with more bells and whistles, including ultrasonic rear parking assistance. Both cars perform well in both city and highway. The Super has a bigger engine than the CXL. My husband, who loves German cars, loved the CXL and loves the Super with its 8 cylinders even more. In short, I would buy both LaCrosse CXL and Super all over again. Also get many compliments on how beautiful the car is.