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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  Love my Regal - 1991 Buick Regal
  By Edward Paxton - March 23 - 12:05 am

  Purchased Regal with 89,000 miles. Comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Silver paint is still in pristine condition and interior was well taken care of. I love the car with its full range of visibility all around and it has nice road feel. I hope to keep this car for years to come.

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  Can not go wrong with this model car. - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Debbie Bollinger - March 22 - 11:49 am

  This is the first Buick I have ever owned. It has also been, by far, the most reliable car I have ever owned (I have owned many different makes of autos). It currently has 115,000 miles on it, I bought it with 29,000 miles. I have made many long trips with it. If you are looking for a safe, comfortable, dependable vehicle, you can not beat a Buick LaSabre!

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  new car review - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By kenny - March 22 - 9:10 am

  the car is beautifull to look at and a reliable pleasure to drive, a good effort from GM to make an excellent American sedan.

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  New car review - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By kenny - March 22 - 9:10 am

  The car is beautifull to look at and a reliable pleasure to drive. A good effort from GM to make an excellent American sedan.

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  Rendezvous scores! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Josef - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Rdv is pretty cheap for its class.It can beat a mercedez.The name mercedez is only famous not the cars.I think rdv is top of its class.

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  2 years and loving it - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sunni - March 21 - 12:07 am

  I have had this Ultra for 2 years and have been very satisfied with its comfort and quietness as well as the total ease of driving. It is very smooth to handle and of course it rides like a Buick. With the larger V6 engine it has plenty of get up and go and the interior was well designed with plenty of cubby spaces and cup holders. The heads up display keeps your eyes on the road and the radio controls on the steering wheel keep your hands on the wheel. If you need a good vehicle to keep your family safe and comfortable and you are sick of mini-vans this is your ride.

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  Rendezvous NOT! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By fear - March 20 - 4:58 pm

  Bought the car as GM Certified, NOT. Serious mechanical problems from the get go. Years later, still having difficulties - car has turned off on the highway fuel gauge changes constantly turn on car and drive but then turn it off and it does NOT restart dangerous, dangerous vehicle.. Now we are stuck with it, who would purchase it from us? GM is NEVER, EVER helpful... No wonder they are losing billions. Should the company ever go bankrupt, just have them survey the car owners.

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  Never Buy Again! - 2000 Buick Regal
  By pss1175 - March 19 - 9:35 pm

  I bought this car used with 40,000 miles on it. I bought an extended warranty and Im glad I did. Nothing but problems. All window regulators replaced, HVAC control head, both rear wheel speed sensors. Now has an intake manifold gasket leaking and the ABS pump and EBCM has to be replaced, warranty is up so I am trading. I will never buy again.

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  2005 Buick Century Special Edition - 2005 Buick Century
  By George from KC. - March 17 - 3:05 pm

  This car has been an excellent performing car. The Special Edition Package sets it off. The leather interior, dual automatic temperature controls, and chrome wheels are great and generally found only in more expensive automobiles. Never a reliability problem. Mileage runs 23- 25 city and 30-32 highway. May not do quite that well with an ethanol mix, but still close.

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  Very poor fuel economy - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By R. Cardiff - March 16 - 6:52 pm

  As a long time Park Ave owner, I was spoiled. This Lucerne is no Park Ave! Window sticker showed 28 mpg highway and I have not gotten close to that, 26.3 is best I have gotten and mostly 24 to 25 mpg. On the 04 Park Ave (on the same trips) I would get 31 to 32 mpg. Same engine they say but Buick says they changed the gear ratio and I ask why and get no answer. I find it difficult to get in and out of and the head room is poor. My next car will not be a Buick Lucerne, unless they improve on the fuel economy.