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:

• 

  Great car - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By stur01 - June 30 - 6:15 pm

  Was looking to trade in our 2007 Yukon for something with better MPG and picked the Buick. Was worried about sitting low in a car, but the car is great. Has more power then the Yukon and a better ride. The car is getting allot of looks and people have stopping me in the grocery store parking lot and asking, "is that a Buick?" The car handles great, and the MPG in town on the first tank is 16.9 MPG. My wife loves it more ever time she drives it and she loved her Yukon. The nav system and radio took a little time to understand the options.

• 

  Good car, but not a Park Ave - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By happylegs - June 30 - 4:01 pm

  I own a 2003 Buick Park Avenue, and I bought the 2007 Lucerne CXL in February 2008 as a retirement vehicle. It only took one 400 mile trip to make me appreciate my Park Avenue, and be glad that I did not sell or trade it. I love the way the Lucerne handles on a rainy road however, the seats are not comfortable, the gas mileage is poor, the entry and exiting process is a torture for me at 6 2, and left turns and parking are a chore. My long road trips will continue to be made in the Park Avenue. My wife can drive the Lucerne around town. I will only buy another Buick if they improve on the issues mentioned.

• 

  12 months with this car - a summary - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By G Dirk - June 30 - 12:50 pm

  Thoroughly pleased with this car. I have the CXS and all the features. Here are the pros / cons 1) this has a 12 volt plug - charge laptops other electronics which dont have USB support. Has lighter plugs both in front and rear, and separate USB plug in front. Great to have all of these within arms reach 2) quiet ride - car cruises at 2000 rpm at 75mph. Smooth ride. Has a bit thicker glass in the side windows and you can tell 3) Ergonomics - great job thinking out things - gps, radio, switches, everything is within reach (also love heads up display) 4) other toys - rear window shade, heated steering wheel, car key sensor with remote start, rear view camera 5) size - this is a pretty big car with lots of room. You dont think about it until you park next to an E series or 5 series Cons 1) a bit sluggish - not terrible (V6) but horsepower doesnt really kick in until after 4500 rmp - a turbo on this thing would be amazing 2) gas mileage - I do a mix of city and highway travel - averaging about 19.6 mpg. Not terrible but would love it to be closer to low 20s ( this is a heavy car) Overall - great car. Really compares (outside of acceleration) with Euro counterparts. Comfy, lots of toys, smooth ride. Takes regular gas (this I found to be a great cost savings). A good looking car. Has a nice shape and look to it.

• 

  Best year for this model car - 2003 Buick Regal
  By steven - June 29 - 9:09 pm

  I have owned two other Buick Regals, a 2001 and 1999 which was recently totaled. Both were good cars. I got over 300k on the 2001 before it got too expensive to keep up. This newly acquired 2003 model is just like new! The first week I had the car I drove to Charleston, SC from Anderson, SC. I got outstanding gas mileage. I had 2 other passengers plus luggage so we were not running on little weight here. Also had the air on all the time. I couldnt believe it! We got 35 mpg! Best ever in a Regal LS. The other Buicks Id owned got around 27 mpg which was doing OK I thought. I was just blown away with the nice ride this 2003 model has. According to CR this model is the best.

• 

  A used Buick - 2003 Buick Regal
  By Jim - June 25 - 7:00 pm

  Purchased 1 1/2 ago with 68 K miles. Solid (hey, its a Buick). Quiet. Great ride. Great acceleration. 24 mpg city, 31.8 hwy when car had over 80 K miles. Outstanding for the 3800 engine. Back passenger window has a short. Has to replace the corroded power steering line for about $130.

• 

  Best since 69 225 Electra - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By lovethatriv - June 24 - 10:35 pm

  This car is always a pleasure, even in the worst of circumstances. It has taken deep water on the road a few times with no problem. Once, when it did lose power, it maneouvred beautifully, and safely to the parking lane - no panic! However, at 11 years old, I get only 15-17 miles a gallon, but the performance and resulting safety are well worth it.

• 

  Big car, great mileage - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By Rich Bolamperti - June 24 - 8:54 pm

  My other car is a Hyundai Elantra I get about 22 mpg. The LeSabre is getting 20 mpg city. I drive the Hyundai harder but to get 20 mpg city in a car this large and comfortable is amazing. I love the split bench seat, me my wife and child can all sit in the front like in the old days. I have a plan. Buy a 2 or 3 year old Buick keep it until it is 10 years old, trade it in get another 2 or 3 year old Buick. Have a very small economy car to drive in town and for the longer commute. Drive it into the ground.

• 

  Well Pleased! - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By John - June 24 - 5:53 pm

  Bought new. Classy looks, smooth and quiet ride, fun to drive. Satisfied with gas mileage, e.g., 31mpg on highway and 19.5mpg suburban driving. Blind spots at center and front roof supports. DIC extremely helpful. Dimming mirror great for night time driving. Front seat lumbar supports too high. Had to buy seat pillows for driver and front passenger seats. Rear seats slanted too sharply, making it hard to get out...especially for elderly. OnStar system easy to use. Only one repair was needed in 14 months (steering).

• 

  Got a Lemon - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Not Happy - June 24 - 10:06 am

  We bought this Buick brand new with 1 mile on the odometer. When we test drove it. It had a vibration .The dealer said it was a tire out of balance and would be no problem to fix. We have had this car for 10 weeks now and have only drove it 10 days out of the 10 weeks now. This is the 4th time in the shop. It has been in the shop for the last 5 weeks now. This car has had the front end realined,the front axles changed, 2 sets of tires. If this is GMC best thin I will have to buy a import the next time. And one thing to add, it leaked on the passager side when it rained. We called GMC to complain and asked for a new car.

• 

  General Motors Volvo? - 1994 Buick Century
  By Angelo - June 22 - 2:39 pm

  In my opinion, the early to mid 90s versions of the Buick Century and Oldsmbobile Ciera are the closest thing to a Volvo that any domestic manufacturer has ever produced. These cars were rarely redesigned---but instead, they "evolved" with improvements to the engine/drivetrain, interior and safety features. They were internationally mid sized, 4 star safety rated and generally solid, reliable, understated transportation. Auto writers criticized GM for keeping the same basic design for so many years, but isnt this how Saab, Volvo and other European car makers approach things? The Century is a practical size, reasonably economical and with the 3100 V-6, plenty powerful for most driving.