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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  Only 1600 miles and got problems - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Louise Sabourin - October 16 - 6:51 pm

  My low oil level light came on and when I checked the oil it was only about a 1/4" showing on the stick. Called the dealer and took it in and they said the 2008 seals were changed and that I needed to have them taken out and replaced because of the oil level dropping. So hopefully changing these seals will solve my problems and I can depend on it for years to come.

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  Excellent car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By cxl v8 4dr sedan - October 15 - 12:14 pm

  This is the best Buick I have ever owned. It has a quiet smooth ride, handles well in tight spots, the V8 gives a positive edge to the overall performance of the car. So far very satisfied

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  Very pleased - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Mike C - October 15 - 10:20 am

  Dollar for dollar, this car is the best in its class. I purchased a base model for about $23,000 and at that price none of the other vehicles mentioned was even close in ride, power, or equipment. The Chrysler 300 in that price range is incredibly spartan in the interior and has a seriously underpowered 2.7L V6. While the 300 and Toyota handle better, this is clearly due to both vehicles wider stance and lower profile tires, which necessarily create a rougher ride. If the owner simply wants a powerful, quiet, smooth riding car, rather than one which will take exit ramps at 60 mph, the Lucerne is it.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By rick patel - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, loaded with extras for the dollars spent. I like it a lot.

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  Five years.... 208K and counting - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By turbochris - October 15 - 3:40 am

  I bought this car over five years ago for 1000 dollars because it had 152000 miles on it. Now it has 208000 and still going strong. I put rear shocks on it because my wife thinks its a truck. Its been on countless long trips, with no problems other than a blown tire after I ran over a bungie cord (hardly the cars fault) Rides smooth and I average 21 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on long trips. Been paid for and awesome. Yeah, its an old mans car, but no monthly payments and pure realiabilty make up for that!

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  98 99 "Thats all folks" - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By pketch - October 14 - 9:45 am

  Just plain love it. Easy to work on. 33 mpg on the highway. Drives like a small car even though it is a monster. Bought it for myself but the wife stole it once I got it home. The sloping hood is what sold her. She has always been afraid of a big car. What sold me was the car and its history. I am so happy with this car that I am now buying a 99 which will replace a 2000 Cadillac Eldo.

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  How old are you? - 1996 Buick Century
  By boshsb - October 13 - 11:44 pm

  Car is a good first car with outdated styling(they kept the body from the early 80s to mid 90s) and bad handling. Bad understeer tendency that is exaggerated by wet weather. I got the car at 90k and killed it around 115k. Stock struts are miserable and I killed a total of two front pair. Went through 8 tires on it (1sets rear, 3 front) until it finally died, the differential went out, but not before the rear window motors starred going (hence not my fault, the diff was). If you are good though, it can out handle a Civic due to its ability to power out of turns. It can do burnouts, drifts and anything else you make it do, but it will fight you all the way.

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  It suits me just fine - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By bigfish - October 9 - 10:00 am

  We were looking for a vehicle that could be used to transport our grandchildren, building supplies for remodeling, haul our boat and small camper, and at least 5 passengers...this one does it all, plus last night I took out the one rear passenger seat and slept in the rear trunk area it at a friends cabin. It was as inexpensive as our Buick Century and actually corners slightly better.

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  My Buick Rating - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By H.Higdon - October 8 - 2:48 pm

  With a few exceptions the Lucerne is a fantastic automobile. It drives and rides like a dream and is the quietest vehicle I have ever ridden in. The drawbacks: visability is poor - cant see where the front or rear is in the case of parking - windows too high obstructing visibility in tight parking areas, cant see parking slot markings. Dont campare vehicle with its competition in close proximity because the rough sounding 3800 V6 just doesnt sound like something coming from a real classy car. Gas mileage is also 6 to 7 MPG less than my 03 Lesaber with same engine/trans, etc. Softer leather on the seats would also help. Even with these problems, its a fine road car.

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  Poor Visability on Left Turn - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By W. Lifson - October 5 - 7:59 am

  When making a left turn, the side view mirror and the wide A pillar block your view of the road. Car was delivered with a faulty Body Control Module (computer) resulting in intermittent error messages. My 2001 Park gave a smoother ride. Fit and finish were very good. Complex electronic driver controls are difficult to master,esspecially for seniors.