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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  buick rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By hank killion - October 27 - 2:00 am

  Most comfortable SUV ever ridden in. It tows my 4000 lb boat better than expected. Highway mileage is about 20 mpg.

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  Awesome - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By John Horton - October 24 - 3:33 am

  Just got it. Excellent. I cant say enough. So much better than previous generation Buicks. This is a much better car than Avalon, which I also tested. Im 36, and my buddies think this is one cool ride.

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  Chuck chooses - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Chuck also - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I like many got tired of driving and in a almost prone position. The size is perfect for my business driving and love it on trips. The one thing I missed was my previous car had heads up display. I assume this will be added in the very near future. The handling is fantastic as you can make tight U-turns with little effort. Keep up with bringing us great vehicles.

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  Snow Cutter - 1996 Buick Skylark
  By mruprell - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Buick Skylark is my snow cutter .... cuts throught he piles of snow through running across the mid state country side

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  Buick La Sabre Limited - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Al Louviere - October 21 - 2:00 am

  It has been an expceptionally reliable auto with few problems. Most problems occurred during the first two years of ownership. The interior is comfortable and easily accessible. The seat is sufficiently tall to allow my wife to have a comfortable drive. She also feels very safe while in Houston traffic. She suffers from a form of Arthritsis and the seats can be adusted to her comfort level. We will most likely purchase another La Sabre

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  Adventure - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By potentially happy - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Went on a cross-country family trip and encountered problems; The service engine light stayed on after it was serviced and the fuel gauge and low fuel indicator light stayed on when the tank was full. The lighter and auxillary outlet fuse burned out. OnStar wasnt working either until we took the car to a Buick dealer to find these two outlets are on the same fuse as OnStar! Water collected on the floorboard in heavy amounts after rainfall. We came home from our trip to our dealer to find we had a leak around the air conditioning unit They said it was a bad seal around the unit. We had water damage and corrosion to the electrical system.

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  Great family vehicle - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By BethDale - October 20 - 2:00 am

  This SUV has a lot of interior room. I enjoy the rear cargo area because I can fit a full size stroller in it and still have room for shopping bags or soccer equipment. I love the way that it drives and it is great in the rain. The only downfall that I have experienced is that it is hard to wash the roof for shorter people like myself. Overall, I think this is the best car I have ever owned!

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  My New LeSabre - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By Chuck Relgob - October 20 - 2:00 am

  After almost 3000 miles I find this car to be the best overall Buick that I have owned. Runs true at speeds up to 90mph and provides excellent comfort to the occupants. It is seen by the general public as an old peoples car and that fits me fine. Have no regrets on this purchase

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  Excellence! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By jeter-jemmott - October 19 - 2:00 am

  My experience with this vechile has been wonderful! It is well put together,it rides, feels and performs well above many others.I find it to be roomy, comfortable and extremely fun to drive. It handles like a car.

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  Buick Hits Home Run - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By New Oreans Buyer - October 18 - 2:00 am

  VERY smooth and quite ride. Handles well Agree with current owner, it could use more storage. Cross bars for roof rack should be standard. This seems a little cheap on Buicks part for a car in this price range. Same with front seat side air bags. Would love for it to have had the Buick famous icon (the three holes on the front quarter panels). This would have been the icing on the cake for exterior. Too new for reliability opinion. Only one defect at delivery. The console lock would not hold down the cover whne bumped. New lock clip was ordered.