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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  Disappointed - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Pete Hulett - July 6 - 10:13 am

  I had problems with the ignition from the start. This Buick refused to start and was at the garage three times for this and they could not find the problem. I moved and it stopped moving day and was repaired in a city. worked 6 months and did it again. They reprogramed the keys this time. Now just this month it did it again. Well this time it was the fuel pump - only 41000 miles and its gone $611 to repalce, thnk goodness for extened warranty. I have owned Buick for 20 yrs with no issues like this. My last Buick had 172,000 and no issues. There will not be another one after this one. Have to keep it as no ones buying them now. Just waiting to see what is going next.

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  Bought it used. - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Joey - July 6 - 9:55 am

  I like the vehicle a lot. My only problem is the fact that it suddenly depriciated. Now I am upside down with payments and cannot think of buying something new until its near paid off.

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  Fabulous Car - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Smurf87 - July 5 - 6:50 pm

  I bought my LeSabre in January 2008 with 95,000 miles on it. I was skeptical about buying a car with such high mileage but I just fell in love with its design inside and out and the performance was not what I was expecting. Its the Custom model so it doesnt have OnStar, leather or some of the other features I would have liked. Regardless it has more luxury than I need. Handles very well in the snow and is a lot of fun to drive, especially on the highway. The engine is powerful, accelerates quick, and is very reliable, yet fuel efficient. Very comfortable seats and enough features to keep one comfortable and safe (antilock brakes & 4 air bags) regardless of the length of the trip.

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  Very happy except - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By Dave - July 5 - 2:54 pm

  It is a great car. The only thing I dont like is the gas tank door on these tend to rust long before any other part for some reason. There are not that many in the bone yard so I spent a whole day trying to find one.

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  Worth the money - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By darwin - July 4 - 7:35 pm

  When I bought this car, I felt for the first time buying a car that I got a car that gives me more bang for my buck. The safety features in the car are great. Front and side air bags, traction control. The car is very confortable and does very well for gas mileage I have the CXL and Im getting about 32 mpg on the highway. Very sturdy vehicle, safe and well worth the money if you are looking into getting a family car.

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  My 1st Buick - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Joe from Pennsyvania - July 3 - 11:10 pm

  This car was a demo with 6000 miles on it when I got it. I have been very happy with the overall performance and ride. I just took a road trip to the Jersey shore and I got 25mpg doing 70 mph. I Have the 3800 V-6, good motor history. I did have problems with noise front brakes when I first got it but the dealer changed out the pads and its been fine.

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  Great car - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Joe - July 3 - 7:40 pm

  I really enjoy this car, and I am 33. I had owned a 2006 Impala SS and had traded it after only 6 months because I averaged 22MPG. I then had a 2006 Grand Prix GT which was powerful, but had a stiff, uncomfortable ride. Every interior trim piece rattled. I just got this LaCrosse Super, and it is a major improvement over the Impala SS! Throttle response was tamed to you can ease away from stops. And, I am actually averaging 16MPG in the LaCrosse. Very quiet, great ride, and it handles very well for a Buick. Mine doesnt float and wallow and lean like other reviews have said. Im very happy with this car, and the Red Jewel Tintcoat is the perfect color for this car!

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  Nice sedan - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Derek - July 3 - 4:43 pm

  The Buick Lucerne is a very nice sedan. We got the almost fully loaded model for around 33k. The ride is very quiet and smooth and the interior is very spacious

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  Eh, must not have got the same car - 1996 Buick Skylark
  By jcran2181 - July 2 - 6:14 pm

  I must not have gotten the same car these other reviewers got! I bought this car used, by a guy I trusted and knew wouldnt give me a bad deal (granted, I did get it used). I suppose most of these reviews are based on dealership bought cars, but this car was just a lemon as is most American cars after they get 100,000 miles on them. It looked real slick for a brutha to go round and jam his music to, it was fun, but I was under the hood every two to three days tryin to fix something. Just wasnt a dependable car. I was suprised how much a car can really fall apart in the span of about 6 months, but then again, its a 96 car in 2008, so maybe it just needed to find a retirement home.

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  06 Rendezvous - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Cathy - June 30 - 10:34 pm

  The Rendezvous has been a great family car. Its only been in the garage for normal maintenance. Great advantages from both an SUV and vans standpoints. It has 60000 miles now and still nothing major with it.