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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  Thank you Buick! - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Trace - March 8 - 12:17 am

  I bought this CSUV a couple of years ago and have loved it ever since. At first the exterior "look" was a little iffy since I am an active single mother or only one. But when my son and I went out camping, fishing, and using the vehicle as an overall Road Trip/Outdoor Enthusiast mode for transportation, we fell in love even more! My son has back surgery every 6 months and the Rendezvous has by far been the most comfortable ride he has had since his accident! We would highly recommend a Rendezvous to anyone! They are great and with rising gas prices, we cant complain about the 25 Mpg we recieve when road tripping for all the ammenities and versatility we have with it! Thank you Buick!

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  Luxurious - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By stockee - March 7 - 9:54 pm

  Very luxurious. From its smooth as butter ride, to its whisper quiet and powerful engine. Love the bench seat and useful column gearshift uses less space. Everything looks, feels, and sounds solid. From the solid slam of the door and feel of the column gearshift sliding through each gear. Love the midnight blue and soft beige leather

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  Miss Red - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By May E. DuPree - March 6 - 3:24 pm

  Driving the Buick Reatta was an experience I never had with any other cars Ive driven. I felt such joy and excitement showing off this beautiful red sports car. I felt like a special person driving my Reatta! Whenever Red needed to be fixed and was their for her. Maintance and the oil change was very important to me. My Reatta was special to me and I still value Red. Whenever something is wrong I try my best to get her fixed. As the years go by it seem to be very frustrating, not being able to maintain the up keep for Red. The parts for Red is very hard to locate or find at the automotive shop as well as the dealers. Now I feel helpless, trying to maintain Red to keep her up and running.

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  love it - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By chris21 - March 6 - 10:00 am

  we love our buick ez to drive and not too big loads of extras and awesome interior room

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  Best Bang for Your Buck$$$ - 2017 Buick Envision
  By Paul - March 5 - 5:27 am

  I have owned other mid-size and smaller SUVs and this one is as good or better than those that cost almost twice as much. I made riding in my Rav4 or CRV seem like I was in a tractor. Typical smooth Buick ride with all the techno upgrades. We have 3 smaller grandchildren and we all love it!!!

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  Great car - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By CXL - March 4 - 2:36 am

  I purchase a new vehicle every two to three years. This is my favorite car. It has a very quiet ride. It has many options included. I like them all.

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  Su-purr - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By zeke - March 3 - 11:24 am

  This car really purrs. Quiet inside with a strong exhaust note. Accelerate to 65 and slam the brakes. Great stopping time, no pulling left/right. gGas mileage? Who cares. Finally an American car that really looks like something people will buy. Watch the reaction from Acura TL and Altima owners. That says it all.

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  A home run - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Rod - March 2 - 1:30 pm

  I new I wanted this car before it hit the market. My dealer told me this was coming out in the spring of last year and when he showed me a picture, I was sold. I ordered one as soon as I could. The ride is very smooth, handles well and is very quiet. It definately attracts attention everywhere I go. People are always asking me about it. The Enclave is the best car Ive ever owned.

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  Missing Park Avenues - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Olson - February 29 - 11:57 pm

  The Lucerne is quiet, and comfortable. Its as good as any import in its class, probably better. I do miss the 30 MPG highway and 20 plus city I got with our Park Avenues with the 3.8 engine. The best so far is 27MPG freeway driving and 17 city with this CXL.

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  Not my fathers Buick - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Satisfied Owner - February 29 - 10:38 am

  This is not my fathers buick. We switched from a Mercury product due to styling, leg room, rear seat room.I am 6-6" tall and this gives me the room! We can manage about 29MPG on the open road and about 21MPG every day driving, all with regular gas! It has been mistaken for a Lexus ES350 on several occassions.