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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  Indestructible tank - 2004 Buick Century
  By Mike - August 6 - 8:48 am

  I needed a cheap car a few years ago and put a lot of miles on vehicles. Love my Lexus but not going to put 30 or 40 k a year on it. So bought a 2004 with 40k and dry rotted tires, put new tires on the beast and drove it for 6 yrs, a couple of minor repairs and regular tires and maintenance for another 220,000 miles. It still runs strong and looks ok. Damned tank! Love it.

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  Intake Manifold Problems in 3.8L also. - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By GMGotmeagain - August 4 - 7:26 pm

  The 2002 Buick LeSabre is plagued by faulty intake manifold gaskets just like all GM 3.1 & 3.4 litre engines. Expect to pay around $800 to get this fixed at least once every 12-15k miles. Other than this problem the brakes will need serviced annually if you drive primarily in the city. This is due to heaviness of vehicle and constant stop and go driving under these conditions. Great fuel economy on highway. Ive gotten as high as 32mpg on vacation trips in this car at 70mph. Amazing. In the city forget. Avg is 18mpg.

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  The oldie but goodie - 1992 Buick Century
  By mikey - August 4 - 3:25 pm

  I purchased a 1992 Century form along side the road from a little elder lady in 2007. It had 76,000 miles on it, I was like what a find. It had the opitinal 3.3liter v6 though that was a smart choice in my book. I had the car for about 4 months. I then turned the car over to my mother she loves the thing. It made the road trip to PA from South Carolina in 10hrs at aprox. 85 miles an hour the whole way never missed a beat the whole way. You should have seen the looks you get when you pass the BMWs on the interstate. Over all she has gotten it to 116,000 miles no probs. Great for $900

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  220,000 Miles and Still Going - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Jayhawkerkid - August 3 - 2:22 pm

  I love my Riviera and if it was still made would buy another. Very few problems, original transmission, and still drives like a dream. Ive never owned such a maintenance free car.

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  Great Car - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sam Keifer - August 3 - 7:01 am

  I test drove a number of vehicles and liked the way the Rendevous felt on the road. I have been happy with the fuel economy. 21.5 average and 25.5 on the highway at 70 MPH. Overall, it is a great car. The editors and other people dont rate it like the owners...but drive it youll like it and youll like the price of insurance and the price of the vehicle.

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  Death of a Faithful Friend - 1995 Buick Century
  By Melody - August 2 - 1:11 pm

  First I agree with one reviewer on the warped rotors. Both front window motors went out about the same time a few years ago as well as having an expensive electrical problem that caused major havic but after a the dealership fixed it ran like a charm. Now, its all over. Too expensive to put anymore into her with intake valves needing replaces and a cracked head gasket. Now I have water in my oil. Time for another car. 1 great years! Orig. miles 105,000 not a traveler.

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  Lucerne Super - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Larry - August 2 - 9:54 am

  Have driven Cadillacs for over 27 yrs, my last being a 2001 DHS. First Buick ever. My Buick Super is giving me excellent performance. No wind noise. Fuel economy is what is to be expected with a 292 HP Northstar engine, (20mpg city driving) and absolutely fun to drive. A great many options comes with this vehicle. Ive also saved several thousand by buying the Buick over the Cadillac with just about all the same options. Completely satisified

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  Buick has a winner with the Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By David Mellard - August 1 - 7:06 pm

  You will not be disappointed with this CUV. We love it! Buick has hit a home run with the Enclave. We traded in a 01 Expedition with the same 1st and 2nd row captain chairs as the Enclave. Im 46 and I never thought Id own a Buick but I dont regret it at all. For the money, the seating configuration, capacity, features, performance, this is an absolute bargan. We were closely looking at the GMC Acadia (which is great as well) but the luxury, quiet ride, looks won us over. We looked at many other brands in this segment but there were very few that could seat 7 with the dual captain chairs. The V6 has plenty of power and transmission seems to shift smoothly for us. Great job Buick! We are very satisfied. GM should use this as an example to improve their bottom line.

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  Little Car That Could - 1991 Buick Skylark
  By JROCK - August 1 - 3:06 pm

  I have owned my Skylark for 7 years and it has never disappointed me. I have over 186000 miles on it and it runs great and doest use oil. It starts in the winter when it is 20 below and it gets about 28.5 mpg. While the body is showing its age it is still mechanically very sound and reliable. A perfect work car.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By AC - July 31 - 9:32 pm

  I have owned and leased many cars, but this is the best by far! I will always buy Rendezvous from now on! This is a luxurious vehicle, classy, and reliable! I think that the others who have some complaints about it are isolated incidences. I am at 75,000 miles and I have had zero problems mechanically or otherwise. On top of that, this loaded model gives the driver and my family every accommodation. Heated seats, AWD, heads up display, moonroof, third row of seats, towing capability, comfort, power everything, rear park assist, lots of room and storage. It is sleek and stylish and has zip! Even my loaded CXL model is priced right for resale- not like the pricey foreign competitors. Go USA