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:

• 

  Love my LaCrosse - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Teresa Sink - December 5 - 8:44 pm

  I have owned many GM cars including Buicks. My LaCrosse is the best yet. I like everything about it. I have everything on it except remote start and enjoy all features. The backing light warning feature is great, heated seats, sat. radio, etc. But I really must compliment GM on the OnStar feature. I love having the hands free phone, emergency help, door unlock service, and emails monthly from my car about its performance. OnStar makes me feel safer when Im driving alone. Thanks for a great ride and driving experience.

• 

  Lucerne speaks for itself - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Ray - December 4 - 6:08 am

  I have found that My Lucerne CSX is one of my better purchases from my previous GM cars. I have been compimented about my Lucerne. I have had people that have commented on the ride, the quiteness, the sport car type handling. I just say with the price of gas today. It is the only drawback, in as far of not getting good gas mileage. But one has to expect that when you have 275 horses to pull you around. All in all I would recommend the Buick Lucerne to all those that would be considering a Japanese equivelent. Quailty, performance, price, and better warranty than those from the Pacific rim. No contest!

• 

  A year later and I still love it - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Mike Sadkowski - December 2 - 11:28 pm

  I bought the SUV about a year ago and did not have any problems with it. I love the comfort and the smooth ride it offers. The vehicle is roomy and well designed. This is one of those cars that grows on you. When I first bought it, I didnt really care for the exterior design. I purchased the car due to its outstanding reliability ratings, awesome price ($16K with 4K miles), and the driving comfort (less road noise than my parents MDX!). But the exterior design grew on me. I love my Rendezvous. I would buy another, but unfortunately they dont make them anymore. If you find one with low miles and a good price, dont think twice, buy it!

• 

  Almost there - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Willem - December 2 - 2:00 am

  With a better engine this car would be really fun to drive. The current engine is quiet and smooth, as if it isnt there; well thats almost the case. It should be possible to draw 40 more horse power from a 3.4 liter engine I believe. This is clearly a new generation of Buicks though. Good roadholding and stiffer suspension. Well done, but it needs an engine upgrade. When listening to classical music, the Stereo suffers too much low- mid frequency colouration.

• 

  Totally cool, great vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sylvester - December 1 - 9:09 pm

  I really dont get all of you complaining about the speed of the vehicle. I can always enter onto any freeway going atleast 65-70 mph. My truck pratically drives it self. My truck is way fast. Yes, side mirrors do cause a blind spot. You just have to double check (all the time) & it might be only a problem for short people. Thank you all & have a great safe life!!

• 

  Its excellent for college student - 1998 Buick Century
  By Garrick - December 1 - 12:18 pm

  This car has been my main source of transportation and it has been easy to maintain my service. Parts are cheaper than others. Comfortable drive on the highway. I have had a couple of check engine lights come however, it was for a reason such as spark plugs needing to be change. When I purchased the car it had 144,000 miles now it has 183000. Still drives good w/o noise, rattling or nothing. When I brought it i put new shocks and struts and engine mounts & transmission mounts. Thats all. Did regular service such as oil change and throttle body service, change air filter, oil filter after oil change but thats all.

• 

  Gets the job done - 1996 Buick LeSabre
  By bigpop - November 28 - 3:11 pm

  I like this car. It is very reliable (starts and runs every time), comfortable, roomy, feels solid, and feels safe. I have not had any serious repair issues. The car has about 119K on it. Gas mileage is OK for a car of its size. Smart money drives Buick.

• 

  Great Value and Under-Rated by Editors - 2007 Buick Rainier
  By RonP - November 28 - 9:13 am

  With over 17,000 miles on my Rainier, there have been zero problems with the vehicle. I purchased the Rainier because the seats in my 2004 LeSabre were so uncomfortable my wife could not ride in it for any distance, even though we had zero problems with it over 85,000 miles and still experienced 32 mpg on the highway and 22 in my commute to work. The Rainiers ride is great, wind noise in minimal, seating comfort is perfect (Im 64" and my wife is 56"), and the towing and carrying flexibility are outstanding. While the mpg averages are less than the LeSabre, I still average slightly over 22 mpg on the highway and a little over 15 mpg commuting to work. This was Buicks best kept secret!

• 

  99 Buick Park Avenue - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By zippy95 - November 26 - 10:00 am

  No repairs other than normal maintenance in 5 1/2 years! Great car, econhomical to drive - about 28 mpg on hwy, 19 in traffic.

• 

  Buick Encore is the main act - 2017 Buick Encore
  By Ron - November 23 - 2:48 am

  This is a small SUV, but large enough fopr most. Very comforable and easy to get around town. Feels great on the highway also