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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  1993 Skylark- custom- 2.3l engine -auto - 1993 Buick Skylark
  By THE COMMUTER - May 19 - 9:47 am

  I had this car two months. I paid $500. I put about $400 into it, basic things tires, tune up etc. I drive to Boston daily from rhode island 110 miles round trip, this cars runs great. Handles well roomier than I expected not a bad ride and has decent pickup for a 4 cylinder. I have not had one problem. Getting 32 mpg. And I get stuck in traffic jams daily.

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  Yomoffs Review - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By yomoff - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I rate the following as great features: Good riding, steering, visibility, AC, comfort, ease of loading passengers and baggage, opening of cargo space, towing small trailer, storage, sound system, On-star and no hands cell phone.

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  Great car! - 1992 Buick Roadmaster
  By CJ - May 16 - 10:07 am

  I just purchased this car from the original owner. It is in great shape. I have put duel exhaust on mine because it only had a single exhaust this increased my fuel economy from 17.29 mpg to 17.79 mpg in town. The interior of these cars are amazing comfortable! My plans are to tint the back windows, a set of 15 inch draglites from American racing and a great sounding stereo. My kids love it! They would rather ride the dragon wagon than our new Taurus!

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  Chronic problems - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By BooToBuick - May 15 - 10:57 pm

  Boo to Buick. Was thrilled with the Rendezvous for the first year. After that, all downhill. Like many others, the seat cloth stained very badly, rear hatch strap broke, sunglass compartment fell off. Im now about to replace the rear differential for a 2nd time, the front end shimmies badly, and the air conditioning appears to be failing. The car has less than 50k on it. I have an extended warranty and these issues have all been addressed. BUT, its a real pain dealing with these nuisances on a car that, at the outset, seemed so well-built. The gas mileage on the highway is actually pretty good but in town, watch out!

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  Awesome car for the price! - 1998 Buick Century
  By jessica - May 15 - 10:11 pm

  I purchased this car with 75,000 miles on it. Since then I have put 43k on it myself, and now have 118k miles on it. The only things I have done to this car so far is brakes and oil changes. This car has never broken down on me! Which means a lot because I have driven some lemons and had constant problems in the past. I have never had any mechanical issues except the heater-- at 115k it would only blow on high. The gas mileage isnt the greatest for it being a car, but other than that, very smooth ride, exceptionally reliable, the car looks brand new and I only paid $4,000 for it used. Well worth the value!

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  Maybach has nothing on me but price - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By driver - May 15 - 3:05 pm

  I bought my car in 95. When I saw it I knew I had to have it. I have not been disappointed. In fact I have been quite surprised at the performance and comfort. I constantly drive from NY to Norfolk VA on a quarter of a tank of gas. I thought the gas guage was broken. But I have done it on numerous occasions and it is true. I love this car.

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  Love My Riviera - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By Jerry Boswell - May 14 - 5:53 pm

  Basically I love to drive my Riviera with superb handling in year around Southern California weather. The interior is outstanding with all the needed controls on the steering wheel. On the down side, this is the only vehicle I have owned that can need repairs by just sitting in the garage. The mechanic bills have been frightning since I purchased it five years ago with apx 64,000 on it. I now have apx 95,000 on it and have put some $12,000 in it for repairs. Still love it!

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  Buick is Great! - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Paul - May 14 - 2:34 pm

  I purchased a Buick Lucerne in April of 2008. This is an outstanding car. If you need a full size sedan that comfortably seats 4-5 people...some of them 6 ft 6 inches tall, and rides so smooth and quiet you wonder if the car is running.. you should get this car. I have several kids in college and I have to drive them 5-7 hours one way to get them to school and visit them during the year. A comfortable roomy car was essential. None of the foreign cars could comfortably seat my son who is 66". He either hit his head on the ceiling or had no place for his legs. The Buick was perfect. Quality is outstanding. Performance is excellent even with the 6 cyl engine. Mileage is averaging 21 mpg.

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  After 10K miles and 9 months, I love this car - 2017 Buick Encore
  By sskipp@fop.net - May 13 - 9:52 pm

  UPDATED: After 10K miles and 9 months of ownership, I have only a couple of negatives. Price, without rebates, is excessive. No passenger armrest is unforgivable. Cargo area is a bit tight and I wish it had a bit more room for things. Everything else is good or great, mostly great. Front seats have helped with my neuropathy by supporting the back of my legs. Car holds road at well over speed limit, handles great, and is like when I owned my Mini Countryman - like driving a go-kart. Shifts great. Enough power. No complaints. Everything has worked as it should and provides a good value when you consider rebates. I would recommend this car to everyone and anyone.....most dont realize it, but this is one amazing car and will fit the bill for many even if they dont know it yet. Headlights with fog lights on are simply amazing. Ive never owned a car I have enjoyed so much and am so glad to have. Quiet ride. Great radio. Too many goods to mention. We purchased this about a week ago. Weve logged over 500 miles and while it is a good car in lots of ways, some basic things seem to have eluded the engineers at Buick. Note, this is made in South Korea, not in the USA as would be assumed if it has the Buick name. The biggest complaint I have to start out with is the lack of a passenger armrest, and the almost completely useless one attached to the drivers seat. Come on, really, no center arm rest? We didnt realize it during our short test drive, but it is very annoying. Two adults sitting side by side in the front, are sucking up each others oxygen. The cabin feels cramped. And that you could deal with if there were a stupid center armrest. Many things about this car are great - gas mileage is about 27 mpg with mixed driving, and a quiet ride and decent handling of bumps. Steering is easy and accurate, and easy to get into a parking spot. The A/C and heat work well. The car has a decent feel about it, not cheesy or junky. It is smaller than other SUVs, and Id say over priced for the size and functionality of this car. BUT, we needed a less expensive car and still wanted an SUV, with AWD. This, coupled with the 16% off from GM, it turned out to be the answer for us to downsize our car payments. For the pricepoint of $25K after discounts, you get an SUV, with AWD, and a host of features that you could not get on other SUVs. So, it fits the bill. Awesome LED daytime lights, which double as parking lights and turn signals, LED tail lights and brake lights, which is really amazing. Plus, fog lights. Auto on/off lights. Navigation. Carplay (although it is buggy). Side blind spot monitors in the mirrors. Upgraded cool 18" wheels with nice tires. A real spare (mini spare, but not a can of flat fix). And the car is overall a good value for the money, compared to the SUV I have for my use. Without the 16% back, I would not have bought this as it would have been out of my price expectations. It isnt perfect, but for what it is, and what it cost, Id say it is a decent value. You have more leg room up front than youll need. This helps the back seat passengers, who could not fit unless the seats are slid forward. The cargo area is small, but the rear seats do fold down and that opens up alot of space. This fit our plan to shrink our car payments and provides a decent value with the 16% off sale.

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  Good SUV, best in its class - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Rendezvous driver - May 13 - 4:01 pm

  I hated it when I bought it, its more of a woman car, so I gave it to my wife and she loves it. Then I started driving it and Im actually liking it. I bought it 2 years ago and now ~42k on it. Had a deer accident going 70 mph. I thank god to be driving a Rendezvous, very well maintained, very stable, the deer was split in half. Went to the shop for 2-3 months, came back never the same car. But I can tell you, its very reliable. After the accident the fuel economy became poor average 20 mpg, I used to avg 23 - 24. But Im pleased with it. Very spacious and comfortable. Im 300 lbs and 6,1" but it would be better to have a lot more driver leg space. Back sensor excellent