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:

• 

  Horrible vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Mary Scott - March 4 - 1:02 am

  We have had nothing but one problem after the other. The First year we have had the front end aligned 5 times & purchase new tires, A/C motor replaced, reinstalled front fender assembly 2 times (plastic push pins), heater core replaced, back hatch recall. The dang thing will not move on snow or wet ground. It has spun me around backwards while going down the road 2 times. No power, bad mpg. Bad road & wind noise. I get a horrible back ache if I drive it over 2 hours. My Oldsmobile would hold more in the trunk than this thing will in the back seat and cargo. Cannot see out of it. I never park where I have to back up. Big mirrors that are useless except for blind spot. Dangerous vehicle

• 

  This car is not worth the money I paid! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By mytdcm - March 1 - 9:00 am

  I thought I was doing the right thing by trading my Ford Expedition in for this... I was so wrong. I get the same gas mileage I did with my Expedition (16-17 MPG). I have taken my car into the service department numerous times to tell them it does not drive right. They tell me it is fine! Now it sounds like I am driving a truck with mud grip tires on it. It is roaring the the front right, but they do not hear anything! Last night we went out and it started raining, guess what... my car is leaking!!!!! This was the worse mistake I have ever made!

• 

  bad brakes on 2003 cxl - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By joe cosentino - February 12 - 2:00 am

  at 20,000 miles I just had the second set of brakes installed. Also the hubs for the all wheel drive needed to be replaced at 19,000 miles. back hatch opens when a bump is hit on the road. hatch will not go all the way up (keep hitting your head) lift shocks were changed at 3000 miles but they do the same thing as the originals did

• 

  What was I thinking? - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Chad - February 5 - 3:19 am

  Bought it fully loaded for $34K. In two years the trade-in value is $13K. YIKES! This vehicle is a horrible value, and way under powered. Only 185hp. Can you say slug? Third row is useless. We have to have people go in from the back and climb over the seat. Not too functional. And when the seat is up, you can only fit a couple of bags behind the seat. Have been trying to work some magic and trade it in for a 2005 Odyssey. But I really dont want to eat $6K on the trade! Looks like I will have to hang in there for a little longer and try to get it even. Please do not buy a Rendezvous! Do your checkbook and your family a favor and buy something with lasting value and function!

• 

  Black Beauty with a ugly side . - 2011 Buick Regal
  By A.M. - January 29 - 8:16 am

  We bought our Regal that was nearly 4 years old with a 194 miles on it . It was a GM showcase car that sat in a wear house for 3 years . We got a great deal and loved the car .It has great looks with its Mettalic black paint and a great black leather interior. Even 5 years later we still get compliments on it is looks . Not long after we had it ,the engine started making a horrible noise. We found out there was a recall on the timing chain . Our local dealer took care of it and Buick provided us a rental car for the entire time . We have had our local Buick dealer provide all scheduled maintenance on it . Again after a year the noise came back and again the timing chain needed to be replaced. While still under factory warranty GM took care of it . Soon after our factory warranty ran out. Regretting that we did not purchase a extended warranty. Since our last GM cars have been great and with no issues .Now after 34000 miles our transmission went out and had to be totally rebuilt. Luckily Buick was able to cover 60% of the 3400. dollars that it was going to cost us . Now I am concerned about the reliability of this car and considering trading it in . Since it was a chilly night my wife and I both turned on our heated seats . We soon found out that the heated seats quit working . Then my wife went to move the power seat forward and we heard a grinding noise and the gears underneath the seat stripped out . I am convinced we now have a lemon . We are very disappointed since we both like the car but do not trust it anymore. With less than 35000 miles on it. We a now very concerned.

• 

  9000 mile 2005 Rendevous bad apple - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Virginia Rhem - January 25 - 4:35 pm

  I had looked forward to this new SUV and with only 9000 miles, it is in shop every other week. New tires at 4000 miles, rear door hatch broke, key assembly broke, noise in steering that GM says is something non-repairable, many more problems. Dealership where purchased horrible to deal with. Found another one who has been more helpful....But I am so disappointed.

• 

  Free car, and I think I paid too much!!! - 1995 Buick Century
  By rojo412 - January 11 - 1:17 pm

  When my 92 LeSabre finally drove me to the brink with its faulty exterior, I got this wagon from my grandparents, for free. I thought "this should work for a while and I got a great deal! All options, owned by sweet old lady who drove it to church. And its low mileage so it should be sweet!" WRONG!!! Even at 62,000 it was showing its age. Rusting out exterior, ABS is going in and out, head gasket leaking, strange fluid in the coolant overflow. At 80k, a mechanic told me to sell it and cut my losses. Well, at 88k, I still have it and wish I took his advice.

• 

  Bad news - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By byeGM - December 30 - 11:51 pm

  The vehicle is comfortable, but we have had nothing but huge repairs bills Bearings in front wheels went out at two different times-huge expense! Computer unit went out on vacation, leaving us stranded. Air conditioning had to be replaced. Back up system stopped working about 6 months in. Had to replace tires and brakes way before the time with most cars Best mileage EVER was 21-we usually get 19 on the highway Insult to injury-were trying to trade it in now and are being offered only $8000-$9000 for a car listed at $35 thousand when we purchased.

• 

  What were they thinking? - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By G. Toll - December 12 - 2:05 pm

  For a car with a $38000 sticker, it was quite a surprise to learn what this car doesnt have, like - a second remote key, a valet key, a glovebox and under- hood light, and even a coat hanger. It does have a smooth, quiet ride, but you wouldnt expect on a test drive to have to search for items you would expect to find in a car costing one-third less. Buying this car is getting taken for a ride.

• 

  2017 PURCHASE - 2017 Buick LaCrosse
  By David Quast - September 13 - 10:29 pm

  RIDE QUALITY IS HORRIBLE. BAD CONTINUOUS VIBRATIONS IN DRIVERS SEAT. TIRES POUND THE PAVEMENT. NO COMPARISON TO MY 2011 LACROSSE TRADE-IN. COMPLAINED TO DEALER. SHOWED SERVICE BUILLETIN #03-03-10-007J. TIRES GET A FLAT SPOT WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN, AND SHOULD BE DRIVEN AT LEAST 15 MILES TO GET RID OF FLAT SPOTS. SUGGESTED BUYING NEW MICHELIN TIRES FOR $900.00.