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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  1996 Buick LeSabre Limited is AWSOME! - 1996 Buick LeSabre
  By Gail Elsberry - October 16 - 2:00 am

  My mother purchaced/ordered her 1997 NEW from factory & we all fell in love with it. From gas mileage to overall look, preformance & comfort, this car is the best of the best! My husband just purchased me a 1996 that we got from a private individual with only 85K actual miles. I love this car & the comfort & luxury level is unbeatable! The 30 mpg on highway is AWSOME with todays gas prices! I never thought I would like any vehicle as much as I like this one. My other car is an 89 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale. It too gets the awsome gas mileage of 27 mpg on highway, still ticking with 180K actual miles on the odomiter! Never a problem except replaced trans 4 years ago. GO GM! Thanks!

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  Best Bang for Our Bucks - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Don Boone - October 15 - 11:53 am

  After owning several GM cars, including a 99 Regal LS, the CXS is all I hoped it would be. Worth the money, especially as we compared it to more expensive vehicles. Drove from upstate NY to Florida one week after purchase, and loved the smooth ride, acceleration, quiet, handling, roominess, trunk space, and what a great 6 CD Concept III sound system! The exterior style and finish (Glacier Blue) are terrific. Leather seats w/ heater provided comfort even for the one 12 hour driving day. Temp system is big improvement over Regal. Safety, reliability and great style big plusses. We looked at other competitors (Mercury Montego, Saab, Honda) and know the CXS has them all beat.

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  An Excellent American Sedan - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Jake H. - October 11 - 10:00 am

  This car has served me well over the last 10 months. Never once failed to crank, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 115, thats saying something. A/C and Heat become effective very quickly after cranking. I fit ALL of my belongings at college, plus a friends, and 3 of his bags in this car, and still got 24 MPG on the highway home. My best is 30.7 MPG highway using no A/C and with a light load. Very fuel efficient on the highway. No so much in the city-acceleration kills it. Set the cruise and be happy.

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  Lucerne is the best buy - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Jjohn - October 11 - 3:33 am

  I shopped around about a year before I came across the Lucerne CXS. My car is loaded! All of the extras I wanted were standard equipment. When comparing with otherluxury models, the Lucerne CXS by far was the best buy. The ride is awesome!

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  Back to the Future - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By Sky Eagle - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is so awsome. A lot of us do not like FWD and this RWD has a lot of punch! Note that Chrysler 300 is now going back to this design! If you use restraint on the gas and hold the reigns tightly, you can squeeze 29 MPG on the highway and thats impressive given the ease at which this car glides to the posted limit. And comfort and room abound! I just love this car!

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  Great Car - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Kathy7 - October 9 - 2:00 am

  The only thing my Rainer falls short on is interior storage space. I had a Rendevous for the last 3 years that had tons of space. But the ride and handling in the Rainer surpass the Rendezvous. Love this vehicle!!!

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  My - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Tom Weiss - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I use my Rainer both in pleasure and business and love it. It has ample storage space with the rear seats down (I have moved 6 1/2 foot sofas and large bookcase units in it with no problem) in addition to a full day of shopping at Macys, Saks and Nordstroms and then while still full of the days shopping, picking up my 3 German Shepards from the groomer with still room to spare. Fit and finish on "Gracie" is great with 16K on the odometer, she is as quiet and well behaved as the day I bought her. I have the 6cyl and find it more than satisfactory with my routine drivng between Palm Springs, Ca. to Pasadena, Ca. Interior finish is great, too!

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  My Rainier - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By cgcovey - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I have driven SUVs from full size Blazers, Yukons, Envoy to the Rainier. I love the Rainier, great car, great design.

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  I LOVE MY RENDEZVOUS!!! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Gail Nattkemper - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive never owned a vehicle I liked better than my Rendezvous. We also own a Lincoln Towncar and a Toyota Prius and for long trips we take the Rendezvous because of the comfort. It handles well and I love having 3 rows of seats for family outings. It also holds tons of stuff when the last two rows are down. My next vehicle will be another Rendezvous

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  My favorite car - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Robben - October 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Buick and I absolutely love it! The options on the ultra are the best. Ill never get lost again with the navigation system and my daughter loves the dvd player. Its very quiet and not that bad on gas considering its awd. Very comfy too! I would highly recommend this vehicle -