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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  rendevous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By barbiejo - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I love my rendevous. It is comfortable. Love the style and has many great features. And the handling ability is great.

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  Buicks Got a Winner - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By northstar - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Had the vehicle for 3 months ... not one single problem. Fit and finish are excellent. High level of luxury. Nice touches throughout. No regrets.

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  Buick Rendezvous - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By sbmem - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Bought our RDV a couple months ago. It has been just fantastic. Great around town and we have taken one trip with it. The amount of interior room and comfort is just awesome for the family. The power is just fine especially for family driving. Storage and amenities cant be beat for the price. Extremely Happy

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  Best Ued Car - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By Used Park Purchase - September 28 - 4:00 pm

  I commute 47 miles to work one way and have previously have had small or intermediated size autos. The PA gives me consitently 32 MPG on the highway and 28 overall mpg. The ride is fantastic and overall performance exceptional. If your looking to purchase a quality automobile look no further than a used Park Ave.

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  Really fine vehicle - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Chuckmac - September 26 - 2:00 am

  We have a CX model with leather, moon roof and third seat. We couldt be more pleased with this great vehicle. Our grandkids love the third seat which we have also used for adults with great success. Performs great on the highway, particularly in cruise control. I feel great everytime I drive it!! Have had several Buicks (Lasabre). This time we wanted AWD for safety in bad weather. We feel we made a great decision.

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  Great Buick - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Phil Rossignol - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I have put 55,000 on my Regal without one single issue. I find it very comfortable on a long trip with enough seat adjustments to tune my comfort. The ride is smooth and the car performes well at the higher speeds. The visability is very good and the trunk size with fold down back seats is very useful.

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  Riviera - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By JustL - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Fine car with styling so ahead of its time that the new Buicks have similar styling features such as the sharp curved fenders and slopping roof curves. See the Buick experimental two seater and the new replacement for the Regal. Has a rigid chassis and frame that results in straight tracking especially at high speeds. Its rigid body is similar to a Pugeout that I owned years ago. But with style and power.

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  Buick Rendezvous is Awesome! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By sammy - September 23 - 2:00 am

  The Buick Rendezvous is the perfect vehicle. With a new child, its a very user-friendly vehicle as well. My wife and I love the ride height and fit of the vehicle. It just feels right. The ride is smooth and space is ample. It has very clever use of storage space from the deep armrest/console box to the cargo organizer in the back. The fold-flat rear seats have been very helpful in loading cargo items as well. It even comes equipped with OnStar. The engine has ample power as well. Our lease will be up soon and were definitely getting another one.

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  Rendevous Review - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By michigan701 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle! There is so much rear seat room...3 seats , yet easy to park...all kinds of utility..to haul things too...Shelton Pontiac Buick is great..

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  The Best SUV - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By velyna - September 20 - 7:06 am

  In only two months of using my Rendezvous I am very satisfied with the perfomance. Everything in this vehicle is wonderful. I drove my Rendezvous here in Puerto Rico and feels real good.