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:

• 

  Very nice so far - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Steve White - January 4 - 12:06 pm

  Bought my Enclave (CXL, AWD) 3 days ago and very pleased so far. Traded up from a 2002 Rendezvous, and if you know that car youll know I had some concerns about buying another Buick. The Enclave, however, is superb: no defects and no trips back to the dealer. Handling and ride are far superior to the Rendezvous, and to the other cross-over cars we looked at. The Ford Edge/Lincoln MKZ is the only real competitor among domestics, and its a little jittery on the road. Lexus RX350 is equal to the Enclave but a lot more money, and I couldnt find a new (2008) Highlander anywhere to compare. So take a look at the Enclave: youll be impressed.

• 

  Smooth, efficient, with great handling - 2016 Buick Envision
  By NormV - January 3 - 10:37 pm

  Update: My best mileage is 32 mpg at 65 mph with just me or 30 mpg loaded at thr same speed. 12,000 miles and the oil life is saying it is time for an oil change. I love the freebies when it is 20°F out otherwise I be in thr unheated garage doing it myself. I love the heated steering wheel as it get very warm. The heated seats are appreciated by all four of us and thr heated mirrors work great too. The AWD is perfect on the white stuff and seldom slips unless you want to punch the throttle. With 3,000 miles on our 2016 Envision Prem ll, we picked up used in the mid-$30s, the moonroof and Driver Confidence Package are quite the deal compared to the more expensive German car companies. My in-laws are quite smitten with the Envision overall and are considering one for their next purchase. I searched new/used 2.0l turbo for months as it has AWD and torque vectoring included. The 2017 Prem ll discounted was capped my lower models starting at $35K. So our 2016 Prem ll GM executive driven with 3,000 miles in the next state over was lightly driven with no excessive tire wear, so I know it was not used for closed course driving events. New 2016 with no options were popping up for $10K off or $33K but I did not want white or silver, so it pays to shop with discounts like that and spend a few hundred to have it shipped. Currently getting 25 mpg on my half city/highway commute now that it is warming up. The ride is super quiet and smooth Im surprised how well it isolates from the road, it is refreshing after a day at work.

• 

  Best car I have ever owned - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By sam0616 - January 1 - 2:48 pm

  This is by far the best care/SUV I have ever owned. I have previously owned a Dodge Shadow, Subaru Imprezza, Infiniti G20 and Nissan Maxima. I traded the maxima in for this. I have never before felt like driving everywhere as I do with this car. It gives me the security and safety of driving an SUV and the smoothness and stability of driving a car. I love the roominess without the bulky look of a truck or corny look of a minivan. The gas mileage is just as good, if not slighly better, than my Maxima, which is very impressive. Overall, I think this is a best bet for someone looking for the feel of a minivan, ride of a car and look of an SUV.

• 

  A Great Crossover Car - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By amers521 - January 1 - 12:57 pm

  My husband and I were searching for a family car and after test driving a variety of other SUVs we found the Rendezvous to be the best value. It was not only much more comfortable than any other SUV we test drove, but had a lot more cargo room and passenger room. We had a wonderful experience at the dealership purchasing our Rendezvous and couldnt be happier with our choice!

• 

  sleek and fun - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By lisaloo - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my first SUV to own but I have driven several of my friends cars . This beats all of them in ride quality. Talk about comfort ! I love the Onstar and the wireless phone, feel much safer knowing I can press a button and get help if I need it. Sound system is great, and the steering wheel controls are just awesome. Yes, its a little pricey on gas but nothing major.

• 

  Best car I ever owned - 2000 Buick Century
  By Buick Driver - December 30 - 10:40 pm

  Great Buick ride, reliability and power. Gets great gas mileage, yet has all the power I ever need. Only thing I found about the car that gets less than a rave review is that while it handles ok on ice, I have had better cars on the ice. Otherwise I am very impressed with its quality, reliability, power and gas mileage.

• 

  Finishing Touches - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Pete B - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Rides and Handles extremely well, very pretty to look at too.

• 

  Rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By dedapr - December 22 - 6:34 am

  Very responsive and fun to drive. The V8 gives enough power.

• 

  WOW What A Car - 2000 Buick Park Avenue
  By cbs - December 21 - 10:00 am

  The 2000 Buick Park Ave is one of the best cars Ive owned. I have put 160,000 miles on this auto and have done nothing but regular maintenence. I did replace the front shocks at 130,000 miles. No mechanical breakdowns at all.

• 

  Fantastic car - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Ray Walters - December 20 - 10:55 pm

  I have purchased many new cars but have never been so totally satisfied with any car as I have with this Rendezvous. Of course we would always want better mileage but, other than that, this car is a ten all the way. The Navigation system, On Star, built in cell phone, heads up display, back-up sensor, foldup seats, etc - all make this car of the future here today.