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:

• 

  Thanks for nothing Buick. - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By Shaun - August 29 - 4:40 pm

  I bought this 07 van used in the beginning of 07 with 24k miles on it. Since then it has been in the shop at least 15 times. One dealer printout of the work done was 14 pages. I contacted Buick about the reliability and safety for that matter of this vehicle which has warranty up to 50k miles mind you, and they (in so many words) said just keep taking it back till its fixed and offered me a year membership to their knock-off AAA. I am almost more disgusted with Buick then the car itself, they were rude and unaccommodating. The major repairs included brakes, transmission, wheel bearings, sliding doors, stability sensors, traction control, steering shaft...just to name a few! Do not buy!

• 

  Very Nice Vehicle - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Ricardo - August 29 - 3:29 pm

  Wonderful crossover, built very well. Quiet highway ride, room for 7 passengers. Rivals any foreign crossover vehicle in class with better mileage. Cruising at 75 MPH is a dream

• 

  Nothing But Trouble - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Dawn - August 29 - 11:18 am

  The worst car we ever bought. 20 plus thousand miles we had to replace a wheel bearing, then a sensor in another wheel bearing that related to traction control, a motor mount support, a heater coil, two window regulators that control closing the windows and is not covered by ins,and now we think we have to replace the transmission. We have 69,500 miles on it now. At 40 plus thousand, GM did not give me any sympathy or help. They were very cold. Do not buy this car. Even the Svc Mgr at Buick said they have a lot of trouble with them. We have never had these problems even with cars with +100,000 miles on it.

• 

  Problems with my 2008 Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By stan phillips - August 29 - 7:44 am

  Had car in shop twice for accelaration problems. Still has not been solved. Also noise in fan motor which they have on order to replace. Mileage in city is 15 at best and on a trip 19. The trip was 1300 miles and never got above 19.

• 

  Faulty Transmission - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Frustrated Owner TX - August 28 - 2:18 pm

  Bought the Enlcave as it was half the price of the Lexus and MB. After 15,000 miles, the transmission has gone out! The stabilitrac and ABS are creating problems. The exterior "chrome" around the rear lights is coming off. The A/C temp button coloring is wearing off. Extremely frustrated.

• 

  Superb Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By reil1970 - August 26 - 6:45 pm

  The Enclave is a perfect fit to luxury and affordabilty. Buick hits the mark. This CUV is a bullseye. I love ride its quiet and responsive ride. Best of all its just right with the pump. I would say a compact van has its real competitor.

• 

  Bad acceleration - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Disappointed - August 26 - 12:39 pm

  We have been driving our Enclave for the last few months. We love the looks and many of the features. The transmission definitely has some problems. It drags and has hesitation to switch gears from 50-70 mph. Took to the dealership a couple of times and they upgraded the software but still has the same problem. Looking at internet, it appears GM knows this problem for some time! They upgraded their transmission softwares few times! But the problem is still there. Drive on the highway if you are considering buying this car. I wish we had done that!

• 

  Best car I ever owned - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By rich - August 26 - 4:40 am

  I have owned many cars in my life, but this Buick has almost everything, from the OnStar to a custom paint job. The comfort level is perfect and my mileage is 17 city 33 hwy. I cant wait to buy one for my wife.

• 

  Not in the league of a (any model) VW EOS AT ALL! - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By JFR - August 25 - 1:54 am

  I was so excited & really wanted to like this car, but ended up buying a 2016 VW EOS "Final Edition." Quality of interior material is about as cheap as it gets in this price range & below (Think Pontiac Sunfire). Now, the EOS is FAST FAST FAST! 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, faster in the Sport model due to 18" wheels coupled with Pirelli P-Zero Neros. Cornering is flat on the EOS, & the Hardtop/Sunroof combo (The ONLY ONE EVER MADE, Period) is much more solid, quiet, warm in cold climates than any ragtop. Great gas mileage too. Ok, this sounds like a VW EOS review, so all I can say is TEST BOTH, & YOU WILL NOTICE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! At around the same price (And MUCH less for a Used, certified EOS, this car just must be passed by!) I cannot justify reviewing a vehicle when at the same price there are other vehicles that are MUCH MUCH better, in just about every way! Even the Mazda Miata, albeit much smaller & for no one over 6 feet tall, BLOWS THIS AWAY BY LEAPS & BOUNDS! But, the best Convertible, Lb. for Lb., maybe ever made, is the overlooked, very well made, extremely safe & reliable (Proven) VW EOS. And, IT DOES NOT LEAK A DROP (That was the very 1st model year, since fixed with better seals)! This Buick can best be described in total as a "Pontiac or Chrysler Sebring Convertible redux." But dont take my word for it, READ THE PROS REVIEWS!

• 

  Car okay but transmission whines - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Bob Muzik - August 24 - 9:33 pm

  Traded a 96 Caddy for this in May. After driving a few days, found that the transmission whines loudly in the 15- 30 MPH range. This is the 4T80E transverse transmission which only comes with the 292 on the Super and the Cadillac DTS. GM has a bulletin out on this but a design change projected for early August did not come through. Totally unsatisfactory. GM knew about this way back in 2007 but didnt tell anybody. All other aspects of the car are really good except, as noted below and disappointing MPG. My Caddy got over 30 MPG on flat land and this only gets 25. My 1984 Olds 98 still gets 27. I guess thats progress for you.