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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  Excellent rating for Buick LaCrosse - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By nammtapp - July 30 - 1:21 pm

  This is an excellent automobile. It is a much better car than the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, or other Japanese cars. It is much quieter and much better built. It is not an old folks Buick.

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  Great Car - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By thomas - July 30 - 12:23 am

  A very quiet auto. Fun to drive, and has lots of power. I rate it up there with Cadillac.

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  WAY Better than the Grand Caravan - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Kim - July 29 - 7:31 pm

  We recently traded in our 2004 Grand Caravan for the Buick Terraza. The Dodge seemed to have a lot of mechanical problems and we decided to take advantage of the employee pricing from GM. We fell in love with the Terraza at first sight, but actually driving it was what won us over completely. It is a very smooth, quiet ride. All of the many features are within easy reach (not so on the Dodge), and there is a lot more legroom in the middle and back seats. Sure, the seats dont fold down magically into the floor, but Ive sat in the new "stow- and-go" seats. They definitely had to sacrifice comfort for function. You will not find a more comfortable, easy to drive van than this one.

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  Fuddy-duddy -- no way - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Groth - July 26 - 1:54 am

  I bought this car on my 50th birthday and resent the fuddy-duddy image some people put on the car. It is reliable, comfortable in all seats, and easy to drive. I now have 67,000 miles on it and it still drives like new. The mileage is fantastic at 32mpg on the highway and 20 city. Most compacts dont come close. I like the LeSabre and it handles extremely well. It is a great highway commuter.

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  I love this car - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tim Weaver - July 25 - 12:50 pm

  My Rendezvous has been a pleasure to drive from the moment I first got behind the wheel. The quality of this vehicle is outstanding, from its very good looks, to fine details such as HVAC controls. ItÂ’s fun to drive and handles very much like a luxury car, not a truck. I haul everything in it including my precious grandchildren. I could not recommend it more highly.

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  Incredibly reliable. I love this car. - 1993 Buick Century
  By Liz W. - July 23 - 4:52 pm

  This was my first car. I inherited it from my grandfather in 1998 with only 26K miles on it. I drove it from North Carolina to Los Angeles, drove it in L.A. traffic for years, drove to Denver and back, to San Francisco and back countless times, and to Arizona where we lived in the mountains for three years. Now that the car is 12 years old and has 136K miles on it, it has a few minor cosmetic issues, but still runs beautifully. I recently drove it cross country again and it did exactly as it was asked the entire trip. This car has never let me down, never failed to start on the first try (except once when I needed to replace the fuel pump), and overall has been wonderful. Highly recommended.

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  I love Buick - 2005 Buick Century
  By Linda Taylor - July 22 - 5:13 pm

  This is a perfect car for me. I love the styling, and colour. ( I chose bronze/mist). I also feel that North Americans are not supporting our country and fellow citizens (workers of General Motors) by not buying from the original car makers of our country. Performance is all that I could want or expect. I drive the highways quite a lot and when I need the power and pick up to pass on a two lane highway it is always there. Buick is the car for this all-Canadian gal! So far, it has been all that was promised.

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  Quietest car on the road - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Daniel Moore - July 16 - 12:27 pm

  I took this vehicle for a 2500 mile trip shortly after purchase and in all of my years of driving I dont believe I have ever had a car that performed better and offered such a pleasant non-tiring drive. It is interesting that the editors, who dont regularly drive this car dont rate it as highly as do the owners. I took this vehicle through the Eastern mountains and found it great to handle. The first day on the road, and this car was not really broken in, I got just under 33 MPG.

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  My old Century had a softer ride and seats - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Mike - July 16 - 2:30 am

  I really shopped and already have an 04 buick century.. The LaCrosse is only slightly quieter, mainly the engine, but tire noise is there. Also the seats are not as comfortable as the Century and the ride seems stiffer... Power in the LaCrosse is smoother and more responsive, and fully loaded on vacation to Florida we got 28 MPG. If the Century is replaced, then the LaCrosse may take its place, but ride quality and seats are an area for improvement...

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By Martin R. - July 15 - 10:46 pm

  I drive my Buick daily. I also take long trips. Iv found this vehicle to be one of the best cars to drive besides my Landcruiser. Those friends that have driven my car will be considering the Buick as there next vehicle. I purchased my vehicle after driving my wifes Buick Park Ave Ultra.