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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  Best auto we ever owned - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By M Baskette - July 31 - 6:46 pm

  Buick has hit a home run with this vehicle. It is smooth, exceptionally quiet, roomy, comfortable, great for trips, performs well, a pleasure to drive, very stable, no quality flaws, nicely equipped, well thought out interior/exterior design, and finally a great value.

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  Best car ever. - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By stan - July 31 - 5:33 pm

  I have owned many luxury vehicles and I can say that the Enclave is the best ever. I cant wait to drive the car. It rewards you with each venture. It is smooth, quite and soothing. There are many pleasant features that give the occupants the feeling of surround luxury. I love the car!!

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  Rainier for Seniors - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Joe Kurzweil - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Mid size suv is ideal for comfort and performance. Very nice to drive. I weigh 235 and am very comftorable in this suv. My wife is 100 lbs less and is very comftorable as well. X band Bose sound is awesome. Would like to have seen a bit more contemporary design inside but it is nice as is. Side air bags are not standard and should be along with curtain air bags. However we feel very safe in this vehicle. Six cyliner has plenty of get up and mileage on the road is between 21.5 and 22.5 mpg at 65 mph.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Longhorn1 - July 25 - 2:48 pm

  Have over 22,000 miles and love this Buick. Have had zero problems. Car is very comfortable and especially quiet. I get 21.5 mpg in all around driving. I find seats are very comfortable even after long trips. It is a great car!

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  Maintenance - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Chris - July 25 - 12:51 pm

  I bought my Rendezvous used with 13K on it and couldnt be happier. I have loaded 50 bags of mulch in it, moved furniture, TVs, and an assortment of other things that I could not fit into our minivan. The key thing to any cars reliabilty is maintenance. Oil changes regularly, transmission flushed once a year and dont drive it like a sportscar because it aint one. Simple rules to follow to keep your car performing at 80K plus and still going strong.

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  Good Execution but Not Great - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By JackiesMyHero - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Im satisfied with the CXL. It performs as well or better than expected whether driving in the snow to Tahoe from the East Bay, or down to Los Angeles.

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  Best Buick Ever - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Dick in Colorado - July 22 - 10:51 pm

  I have purchase over 45 new vehicles in my life, this is the best of all. I traded a Toyota Avalon for this Enclave and it is so much nicer I fell bad I ever tried a Toyota. If you are looking for a great vehicle, Enclave is the answer, cannot say one bad thing about it, never had a car/truck to even start comparing with this. Have had several Buicks in past, all good vehicles but this is the first great vehicle! Have 6000 very enjoyable miles on it and look forward to many more. Thanks Buick.

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  Few Suspension and Transmission Concerns - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Cindy - July 22 - 5:05 pm

  I purchase my used Rainier in December of 2007. For the most part I am very satisfied. I have had ongoing stabiltrack issues, and the drivers window keeps coming out of the track. My most recent problem was that the shift sensor, wiring harness and valve body went out at 40,600 miles. I am thankful for the 50,000 mile warranty. I was told that there is nothing that can be done about the window. "Dont roll it down while going down the road". GM and the dealership refused to do a transmission service after my transmission got hot. They had it pulled apart and had the filter in their hand. I love the vehicle, but cant say that I will buy GM because of the service.

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  An Outstanding Car - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By David Dotson - July 22 - 2:27 pm

  This car is the best car I have ever owned and I am 71 years old. We purchased the car new at the beginning of 2002. It has been a pleasure to drive. The lowest our gas mileage has been is 15 mpg and that was in stop and go freeway driving in San Diego. We ususally get 17 to 18 mpg around town and 23 to 26 mpgs on trips.Its comfort and dependability are unequaled. My only complaint is that Buick stopped making them.

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  Want a new car but cant let go. - 1999 Buick Regal
  By MISSY - July 22 - 9:26 am

  Other reviews are pretty on mark, great car. Except little electronic things like windows with 125,000 miles and counting nothing but tires, brakes have cost me. I do notice some jerking with shifting so may need some transmission work, but in optional performance shift no jerking. Highway mpgs around 29-30. Making up for my occasional immature actions at stop lights to let my kids know their old mom is still cool!