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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  problems - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Connie - August 31 - 7:39 pm

  Needed new power steering, air condition went, intake manifold gasket for over $1,000, Fuel Pump, Starter, Cracked sway bar. I will never buy a GM Car again.

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  Good for the Money - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By jmcycle - August 30 - 1:17 pm

  Got the 08 CX new as a Company Car Good: Very supportive seats. A lot of standard features for base model. Bad: Fuel mileage is horrible. Im lucky to get 24 highway and avg 16 city. My Honda Odyssey gets better mileage and it is taller, heavier, and has more hp. Driver seat started squeaking at 20k miles-I only weigh 185lbs. Brakes went at 20k miles- almost all highway. Ive never had brakes go anywhere near that quickly. Steering wheel made a clicking sound- several dealers couldnt find the problem. Left windshield wiper splashes water on right side and right wiper missed it. key fob died-even after repl. btry. A lot of minor annoying problems that were expensive and inconvenient to fix

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  You Get What You Pay For - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Greg - August 28 - 12:20 am

  I bought the Rendezvous for a traveling sales job in Canada. There is very cold weather and some rough roads but mostly City and Highway. The Highway drive is very smooth. The interior seating space is excellent. The price was good but I have encountered several annoying mechanical issues. I drove 100000 miles and have repaired (or should repair) the following rear axle seals, rear bearings, brakes (twice), Power steering noise, hatch handle, 1 power window, 3 sensors which killed ABS and turned on eng fault other issues severe buildup of snow and ice in wheelwells, floating gas gauge, worst factory stereo ever. They coulda had a winner but they cheaped out in the build.

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  never again - 2000 Buick Century
  By godawgs2013 - August 25 - 6:35 pm

  We bought this car with 40k on it about two weeks later the gasket blew.Then then about a month and a half later the motor came out own it for three years right before we got rid of the piece of junk was going to need a transmission.plus the front left blinker never worked. That was enough for me will never go there a again at least not with a buick :(

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  watch out - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By aw - August 16 - 8:46 am

  Had this car for 2 wks then it overheated, dealer thought it was a sensor wrong.2 wks later it did it again. If you go on forums this is a common problem for GM vehicles. there was even a class act against them from the Dexcool antifreeze. It eats away the intake mainifold gasket People looking to purchase these vehicles need to know about it. Min $800 to fix and hope that when your car overheated you didnt warp the head. Luckily The Sharpest Rides repaired it at there (part only)cost even though there was no more warranty.

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  Never Again - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Big Foot - August 15 - 9:45 pm

  I purchased this vehicle Used as a GM Certified car. The warranty means nothing. The vehicle made a moaning noise and there was a technical bulletin that said it required new fluid in the rear($400+). Then the AWD Disabled light came on-a differential valve had to be replaced for $480. Again no warranty. I would never buy another GM vehicle and have owned many but this last vehicle has been a killer with repair costs on a GM certified car-ha ha.

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  buick lacrosse - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By dianne - July 29 - 10:49 am

  This is my 4th Buick, love the new design, my son said it doesnt look like a old person car like the ones in the pass. The car had 20,000 miles when I got it. Has a vibration problem had tires balance no help, call dealership they said new tires, dont thing that the problem, my old century and lasabre rides better than this and they had 185,000 miles. The driver seat is unsuportive has some give.

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  1998 Buick Century Custom 4 Door Sedan - 1998 Buick Century
  By mg - July 18 - 2:19 pm

  Bought this car used its Canadian made. Has alot of things that go wrong for no reason and could have easily been remedied if addressed correctly during manufacturing processes. Replaced the fan blower because its mounted upside down under passenger side it wore the spacer so it would hang up squeel and stop. Head Gasket is blown for no reason other than bad mixture of parts componants engine to Head cover two different metals that destroys the Gasket.Caused the coolant to mix with the oil.

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  nice car poor cheep interior - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Pp - July 11 - 2:00 am

  nice ride has trac control. poor plastict interior look.

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  Dont buy an 03 Rendezvous! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Lani - July 6 - 7:07 pm

  Have had this car for a year, replaced engine, battery, power steering hose, engine belt, brakes, tires need air every month, needs new rear shocks and oxygen sensor. AWD DISABLE light is on, who knows how much that will cost. Exhaust Manifold in these cars leaks coolant into engines causing engine problems, so will probably have to have manifold replaced.