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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  I love it - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By SM - April 21 - 1:07 pm

  Great car. Needs nothing except for the usual tune-up, oil change, etc. Fun to drive. Surprisingly powerful. Great fuel economy 29mpg hwy. A little too comfortable. Roomy. It is very low profile .

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  Look at the little things - 1998 Buick Century
  By bigdogdriver01 - April 21 - 9:28 am

  My Buick has 102,000 miles on it and it runs great. The engine is tough but its the small stuff like the seats not holding out well, the chrome trim on the front bumber has aleady come off the car and a trim piece on the roof is rolling up. I think in the future when I want a long lasting car Ill stay away from GM.

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  Ds Review - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Dennis - April 20 - 9:32 pm

  Wifes car and she loves it. Very reliable and fun to drive. Fuel economy is in the 20s. Dash layout is very pleasing and easy to use. She drives 60 miles a day to work and back wich gives her a good feeling as to the ride and dependabilty of the auto.

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  Solid cruiser - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By georgegest - April 20 - 7:03 pm

  Bought this car for my wife. I almost only drive it on long trips. It drives and handles well, rides smoothly, is quiet. Mileage isnt bad but I usually hit between 80 and 85 pretty consistently on the long trip across Texas...dull as watching paint dry. Seats are a bit snug but I have back problems and dont experience the problem of comfort some suggest. The Northstar is a good engine but this car needs another gear and it would really fly. In 18000 or so miles we have only added gas and oil changes.

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  Car to last - 1997 Buick Skylark
  By Janet - April 20 - 6:48 pm

  I got my 97 as a program car from a dealership, in 98. I had problems with the radiator and once the water pump. After these were taken care of the car has been reliable and trustworthy. No it is not a stylish car but it still has time to get to 100,000 and some paint is chipping and the windows are in tough shape(bad electrical windows!) I would buy another Buick in a heartbeat but with roll-down windows! Forgot to say...air conditioner just went on it and the knobs for the dash are hard to find when you replace them.

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  Lemon - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By BNA1JJS - April 19 - 9:02 pm

  I am very concerned with this vehicle. Decided to take a leap into a GMC product in 2005 and made a very costly mistake. Here is a list of the problems I have had with my Buick: Heat shield on manifold loose, fuel sensor bad replaced, steering rack asembly bad replaced, reset toe, misc squeeking front still cant find, wornout idler pully replaced, water pump replaced, rear window fluid sprayer still leaking, rear hatch shocks to weak to hold hatch up still.

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  American style and quality - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By AMERICAN - April 19 - 9:43 am

  The Buick LaCrosse is a great driving car. No other vehicle can match the quality and feel of the vehicle for the price. Its the most quiet car I have ever had. Im 35 and think its a car with style and its American.

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  Best car I have ever driven - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Melvin Law - April 17 - 7:27 pm

  I would be afraid to buy a well maintained Buick like this even if its 12 years old.

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  Over rated Buick - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Bob - April 17 - 12:29 am

  Ive read the other review and wonder what car they are driving. Thankfully this is a lease car from my company, and I cannot wait to be rid of it. Seating is uncomfortable 6ft 170 lb male. Very poor gas mileage around 20. Buy a Honda Accord or a Ford 500/Taurus. Soft suspension, vague handling. Climate control is a real pain to work with, requires constant attention. Styling - misses the mark as compared to the others out there. Quality - cheap plastic, noise, etc. I rent cars almost every week as I travel, and get to drive SUVs, sedans, etc. The Saturns are better than this. How does GM get away with this trash? Same as a Chevy Impala, at least it looks slight better.

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  Just Picked It Up - 1994 Buick LeSabre
  By Just Gettin By - April 16 - 9:06 pm

  Hey, I just picked up the 94 Buick and Im very impressed. I drove around the vehicle with two automotive engineers. They were shocked at how well the vehicle ride quality was and how quite it was. Overall, there were no noticable NVH issues and the fuel economy appears to be above expectations. The only complaint is the poor design of the center consel cup holder