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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  Buick Park Ave - Great Car - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By Tim Minnis - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Great ride and handling! Very good quality.

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  Quiet Quality & Affordable - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By FRED LEONARD - July 11 - 12:01 pm

  In my effort to downsize I went a little too small. Cabin is cramped for me & backseat is tight. Needs a modern engine & 6-speed transmisson. Flat spots in the power ranges due to lack of gears. It is a very nice car that is smooth & quiet for its size & price. No problems except for recalls.

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  Im buying GM cars again! - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Volvo Lover - July 11 - 11:40 am

  I am willing to bet that at 31, I am the youngest person to write a review on this car! LoL! My last vehicle was a Volvo S70, so dont think I am someone who blindly loves GM. When I heard Buick was #1 in reliability from JD Powers, I decided to check them out. It had everytihng I wanted pleanty of options, under 25k, excellent record of reliability, V6 power, comfortable ride, etc. I was acutally looking at Volvo S40s and Audi A3s, but stopped by the Buick dealer on whim. Overall, the Buick had more HP and standard options than the others, but most importantly, it has a much better warranty! I liked the fact that Buick stands by their product for 100k miles! I am pleasently surprised!

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  At least it looks diffrent - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By sr71 - July 10 - 10:30 pm

  Well I have close to 10k on this SUV. And I have to say it has not seen the dealer yet, but for the 1st oil change. I do have to say I am happy with the mpgs I an getting. At 80 Im seeing 24.7 av mpgs on the FL. TPK. So Im glad I did not get a V8 powered SUV. Around town as a kid transport you could do a lot worse, I talked to a lot other mid sized SUV owners and while they like there MB MLs, BMW X5s and the lot, the x-tra bucks they spent may have been, as some have said un-wise.

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  Buick is a beauty too. - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By lacrosse buick 2006 - July 9 - 3:40 pm

  My parents had a yellow 1958 Buick Super. A lot of chrome a beautiful car. The car is just as good today as it was in 1958 in the LaCrosse. Not many LaCrosses on the road. Maybe, more now, when they read this. Good mileage, comfort, I dont smoke, no ashtrays keeps people from smoking in the car. Great Idea.

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  A nice ride - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Tom - July 9 - 1:20 pm

  This a a great car for a lont trip, the interior really roomy, especially on the passebger side. The acceleration is very smooth and no jerking when accerlerating.

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  Better than the rest by a wide margin - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By budi - July 9 - 3:13 am

  This vehicle does so many things well. I looked at a lot of vehicles before choosing the Enclave. Other 3 row CUVs do not match up to the Enclaves value, refinement, reliability, usability (storage capacity/passenger room and comfort) Car has good acceleration for a vehicle its size and role as a luxury family hauler. The vehicle cools down quickly. You can access the third row from both sides of the car unlike the MDX and you dont have to be a contortionist. It has plenty of room behind the 3rd row for a stroller and cooler. I could go on and on.

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  No problems so far - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By been good to me - July 8 - 2:44 pm

  Ive owned this car for 3 years bought it with 35,000 on it. Ive since put another 75,000 and it still runs well. No serious problems. I love driving it. Everyone I know that has one says that they love it.

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  The Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Sheila - July 7 - 11:28 pm

  I love this vehicle. It drives very smoothly. I bought the navigation system and used it and OnStar for a recent trip to CA. The best road trip Ive ever taken with the turn-by-turn directions. The seats are extremely comfortable and I have it on good authority from my family that you can actually seat 3 people in the third row without being too uncomfortable. The way the second row moves forward makes it easy for people to sit in the third row and gives ample leg room for both the second and third row. I am thrilled with my purchase. The only negative is that Im only averaging 14.3 mpg in town, but do believe I hit the 24 mpg on the highway trip to CA. I love the diagnostic reports.

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  My Lucerene - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By rod - July 6 - 10:39 am

  This Buick Lucerne is the best Buick I have ever owned. The gas mileage is everything GM said it would be, (even better, 21 city and 34+ highway.) Quality, oh yeah! Performance is really good, seating could use a little more support. I have had no trouble with options. I just cant say enough about ride quality, handling, and performance. It is more comfortable than any Benz, Ford, Mercury,or Chrysler that I have looked at in this price range. Thanks GM, you have a real winner in the Lucerne.