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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  This Vehicle was made For me! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Made for Me! - January 10 - 8:06 pm

  This vehicle was made for me. It is quiet and very roomy. I cant believe that I have a luxury SUV! It is so smooth and handles very well. I love this vehicle! I thought it was out of my price range because it is luxury, but I got one fully loaded.

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  Great First Car - 1990 Buick Skylark
  By andrew - January 10 - 7:05 pm

  Bought the car for 500 in 05, had 140k miles on it at the time. Great first car, had its problems here and there but nothing serious enough to ever leave me stranded, most reliable car ever owned, hit 175k on the odometer last month and seemed like it would have lasted the test of time if i hadnt been hit by someone, the tranny and engine worked splendid, the exterior had taken some damage over the long life she had but besides that the 3.3l V-6 ran fast and true and never gave me a bit of trouble, most expensive replace was probably belts and water pump, if you take car of this car it will last a life time,

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  Glad I waited! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By mashs54 - January 9 - 7:43 am

  We compared a lot of vehicles in this class and had narrowed the choice to the Outlook. Then I drove the Buick and it was all over. I ordered one the next day and Im glad I waited. The ride is so smooth and quiet. My husband agrees the fit and finish are outstanding for an American car; Buick has excelled here. It is comfortable on long trips and a real looker. I get compliments everywhere. I am interested in the center console if possible, but overall am delighted.

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  "The All New Lemon" by Buick - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By Thomas - January 8 - 8:45 pm

  This has to be the 2007 Edsel! Worst new vehicle weve ever owned. We bought the first one in January, and within a month had so many problems Buick bought it back. We got this one in April 07. As of year end 07 it has been in the shop over 150 days. The sliding doors are a nightmare. They are especially fun when they wont open or close at all and 5 people have to climb in and out of the rear liftgate. This is the 6th or 7th Buick auto weve owned over the years. No amount of money would ever put me in one of these things again though!

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  Riding comfort - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By John - January 8 - 9:22 am

  The ride is very comfortable. There is plenty of space with the third seat folded down for luggage or large purchases Home Depot or Best Buy. The gas mileage is fine for an suv, 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg overall. No mechanical service has been required and it is comforting to know we have 50k or 48 months on the warranty.

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  Great car - 2003 Buick Century
  By sherman - January 7 - 2:16 pm

  Excellent mileage, excellent ride. I have had no problems with this car. Oil has been changed at 3000 mile intervals

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  Rendezvous with the family - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jim - January 6 - 10:30 pm

  Great family car, that fits everyone comfortably. Not a sports car by any means, but fun to drive.

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  2002 Rendevous CXL AWD - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Theresa - January 6 - 4:01 pm

  Comfortable car as long as you dont need it to run! Loved it when I bought it. Was my dream car, first car I owned with heated leather,sunroof, power everthing..planned on keeping it until at least 110k..only got 84k out of it. Had it 4 1/2 years and racked up over $9,000 in repairs, A/C broke, intake gaskets, coils, computer cellinoid, hubs etc. same as everyone else. Final breakdown was the transmission going at 84,000 miles. $4900 to repair... After being stranded twice and endless repairs finally traded it on a Japanese car. Will never buy a GM product again.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By rmward - January 6 - 8:19 am

  Ive owned/own a MB C320, 2006 Infiniti M45 and a 2005 Lexus EX330. I bought the Lucerne as an "everyday" car not expecting much. It is fun to drive a great value and has been problem free. The leather seats are comfortable, XM radio is great and the park assist is valuable in this size of car. I urge to check out the Lucerne as youll probably end up buying one! Its a great value and has a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty. Plus, its much less expensive to maintain than any of the imports Ive owned. Less expensive and the same build quality, how can you go wrong?

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  New Lucerne Owner - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Alan - January 5 - 12:01 pm

  I am a big man (60" waist 32" inseam) so finding a vehicle that I fit in is the first step. I am quite comfortable with plenty of leg room, its a little squeeze in and out but I took it for a 300 mile drive and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the heated steering wheel and seats, and that was something that I really didnt want but to get the features I wanted they came on the car. The turning radius is not as tight as I would prefer. The blind side alert and lane alert work quite well. Those are two feature I wanted. The night driving is excellent, my old vehicle had too much reflection and glare. I hope to drive this for a long time, my first two tanks of gas are in the 20 mpg range.