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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  Sharons new ride. - 2015 Buick Encore
  By sharon soring - November 28 - 4:26 pm

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  Third Impressions - 2015 Buick Enclave
  By Paul Horvick - November 24 - 9:40 am

  This is my third posting. We recently completed a 4987.5 mile trip with the Enclave, from Arizona, to South Carolina, to Florida and back to Arizona. I now have more extended time in the car, and can fine tune my thoughts. The good news is that, on the road travelling, the car is superbly easy to drive, very nice ride, and a feeling of safety and substance. Gas mileage on the highway was also very good, with an overall 26.5MPG for the trip. All worked well, comfort was very nice. The sound system is excellent. The BOSE system and radio was superb. When you also have a very quiet interior even at highway speeds, this was an easy car to be in and drive. The lane deviation system is a very nice feature, particularly useful on the highway. The blind spot warning is also a great feature, particularly when side and rear vision is less than ideal. The forward collision warning system was not in play, but seems like it would be a good feature. The ride, on the highway, is controlled, serene and quiet. (Unlike city driving, where the ride was harsh...feeling every road imperfection.) The navigation system is not particularly intuitive (although when set correctly it was helpful). One very annoying thing is that when our iPhone 6+ was connected via USB, the radio automatically defaults to the music on the iPhone and you must manually go thru the menu to get back to what was on the radio. Front seats are comfy, supportive and good for a long ride. The automatic return to a seat setting was very nice, as were the heated seats and heated steering wheel. Cruise control worked fine, but more than once I inadvertently turned on the heat to the steering wheel rather than engage cruise control. As noted in an earlier post, the middle row of seats is a joke. Compared to our Sienna van, the seats were uncomfortable even for people that are well under 6 tall. I really want to like the car. It is good looking, cruises well, and gets good MPG on the highway, But....the ride is harsh in town, about 15MPG in town, and the lines of sight in the rear and sides are awkward, more so in town driving. The rear seat comfort also is very poor for a car in this price category. We bought at the end of the 2015 model cycle it had an MSRP of $47K, and we paid just over $37K. Buick also has a fairly decent reliability rating, and the 48mo warranty is a plus. Lots of good things about the car....a few that are poor. But, if the rear seat is not a concern, and perhaps without the towing package the city ride would improve, it is a safe and good looking car.

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  I LOVE MY TERAZZA ! - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By christy harroff - November 13 - 12:06 am

  I bought this used 2 mo ago for $3000.00& I feel it was very well priced .It has all the bells & whistles .My grandson loves the DVD ! I love the interior .I have been wanting a van like this for a long time .Only problem it has is an occasional grinding & vibration coming from maybe a cv joint or something like that when starting out from a partial stop. It is going to garage to get checked out in next few days. Other than that I love my van.

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  If you can find it, buy it! - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Joe - November 8 - 4:38 pm

  Very reliable family sedan. My 4th Buick over 30 years. And I sold them too!!

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  Great work car or student car 2000 - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By B burke - November 4 - 4:24 pm

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  just a good car - 2003 Buick Century
  By johnbortz - October 29 - 11:57 am

  Bought this car used high mileage but this car was garaged and well maintained. has a few minor maintenance issues to be taken care of need motor for the windshield washer sprayer. a couple of new front tires and a coolant flush normal maintenance! before winter otherwise should be ready for the cold winters here in Montana. owned a 88 Oldsmobile 96 and it went three years with very little repairs. hope the century can give me a least 3 to 4 years service. this car looks sharp and seems to get pretty good gas mileage. hopefully will buy a newer one in the future.

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  Good Car, but some Disappointments - 2015 Buick Regal
  By Karina Espinoza - October 27 - 4:13 pm

  Im about 8,000 miles into my 2015 Buick Regal (Premium II) class and Ive had it for about 7 months now. It drives really well and feels comfortable enough behind the wheel However the interior has a few problems. In order for me to access the window/lock buttons I have to contort my body a bit and bend my arm considerably (Im 6 1"), its not natural. Also, for me to access the storage console in the center, I have to reach back and put my body and arm in an awkward and uncomfortable position to open it... Basically, should not do this while driving as it can be dangerous. My other cars allowed my arms to comfortably go off the steering wheel and to the window switch with ease rather than have to start bending and contorting... Same with the center storage console. Visibility while backing up and changing lanes is not so good. You really have to depend on the camera However, the camera in my vehicle is too bright during the day and has poor detail, so its not very reliable. Finally, the "Infotainment" console has had some glitches in just the 7 months, which makes me feel its just a matter of time before something goes bad: 1) Within 3 Months the temperature gauge stopped working consistently... it takes about 10 minutes to start gauging the right temperature outside. 2) twice Ive entered my car to a loud buzzing sound that stopped once I turned the vehicle on. 3) twice Ive pressed my ignition button and the car wouldnt wouldnt start (as if the battery was dying). 4) Several times when Ive turned my vehicle on, the console has "glitches out" shut off and then turned back on. 5) Once, after reversing and going into drive, the parking camera stayed on for the entire time I was driving and never switched back to my radio/console view. 6) Many times Ive adjusted the volume and it switched my radio channel instead. I took it in once for a minor issue and told them about the issues and they said there was nothing they could really do about it yet.

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  Great - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Nany - October 24 - 12:52 pm

  I got this as my first car when I turned 18 (which was 4 years ago) and at over 207,000 miles its still going strong. Ive never had any problems, Ive never been left stranded. The only thing Ive had to repair is the gas pump and minor details. The car is not the best looking but for the year it was made this car is great

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  First Try! - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Harlean Nutt - October 23 - 10:12 am

  Reliable. Worth considering.

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  Euro Car Snob Goes Domestic - 2011 Buick Regal
  By ajkiniowa - October 19 - 10:28 pm

  This car is really an amazing value and design. My Buick was made in Germany. In the rest of the world it is an Opel Insignia which has been a European Car of the Year several times. I also drive a Volvo, which in my opinion, has the best seats of any car maker - hence I cant laud the Buicks seats. They are comfortable and I can drive for hours without any discomfort. The technology takes a bit of time to learn. If you can read a manual, watch a DVD and Google you can learn these electronics easily. I DO NOT like the electric parking brake! Call me old school, but I would be happy to have a mechanical interface return. In emergency maneuvers, the car rivals any vehicle I have owned - BMW, Volvo, Audi, Saab, etc.... In some ways it is even better with the Stabilitrak stepping in to direct the car accordingly and allow one to avoid potential accidents without relying on anti-lock braking. The brakes are also stellar. The interior is exceedingly quiet. I have found myself speeding more in this vehicle then probably any other I have owned. It handles well and in Sport mode is very tuned in and fast. The headlights are also incredible - almost like daylight. I also want to praise the Harman Kardon sound system, quite amazing. I think driving the car will speak for itself. As a certified vehicle there have been no maintenance or out of pocket costs and my local dealer is super.