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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  Quirky Electronics and Tire Eater - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jerry Philpot - December 7 - 8:20 am

  Generally a good vehicle, smooth ride, mpg not great though. Electronics pretty quirky, wouldnt stay aligned. The fixed seat belt fasteners in the front seats intruded into your hip space. Ride was typical GM ..Smooth on the straight, very loose and floating when cornering.

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  Run away as fast as you can! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Alconik - December 1 - 5:30 am

  My wife and I loved the Buick when we got it. Great for our 3 boys. Very nice inside and out, then it got some mileage. If you plan on putting more than 75000mi on this car, do not buy a Rendezvous! Great car up to 75k after that: ABS-Traction Control( caused accident as it went out during hard braking), driver window, door locks, power mirrors, switches and engine blew at 103k. Replaced engine and now it is totally impossible to fill coolant at home. Also, it gets horrible gas mileage, worse than my 94 Mustang Cobra! Do not buy a Rendezvous!

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  Mechanical Nightmare - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By juliaom - October 28 - 11:55 pm

  Do not buy this Buick RDV. Now at 114,000 miles but everything breaks, first the AC, other repairs, then window motors, head gaskets rebuilt, now AWD disable light on, dealer said new hub and sensors needed for $600. Has cost me close to $8000 since 2004. Now excessive rust on front of Hood, visibly accelerating. Service Mgr said I should write to Buick, as repairs have been excessive. Buick rep said too bad, its not under warrenty. Never again will I buy GM.

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  It takes More than Quiet to Make Luxury - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By C. Sherwood - October 20 - 2:35 pm

  Car was a dealer demo. I was sold based on a test drive. It was and remains very quiet and luxurious feeling in that aspect. However, the drivers seat left side molding cracked and broke of its own accord, with a quarter-sized piece popping off and landing in the drivers foot well. Now, two weeks later, it seems like the entire drivers door interior panel is trying to separate from the metal, with a give of at least an inch when closing the door. Two months ago, the OnStar stopped working on its own and took 3 tries to fix. Handling feels weird at 45 mph like Cruise is taking over on its own. Very disappointing all around and I wish I could have my Chrysler 300 back.

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  Disappointment - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By BootsyClay - October 8 - 5:13 am

  We bought this used from a reliable friend mechanic. In no time the paint was fading and peeling, the plastic manifold broke & quite a big repair bill even fixing it ourselves & buying parts on the net. Air conditioning went & had to replace condensor etc, The front power seat mechanism works, but is popped out of the seat. Seatbuckles broke. Something has happened to the struts. Weve nearly always owned GM since my husband retired from there. Owned an Olds that went almost 300K miles until hit when stopped. Only one time failed to start when the timing chain needed replacing at way over 100K. We have lost a bundle on this Buick. Really a shame and sorrowful!

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  Leaky Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Micki Clevenger - September 27 - 1:40 am

  Looks good and feels good. The bells and whistles could be better quality. Not enough power. Transmission seems to have problems finding gears. My check engine light has come on 3 times. Most frustrating is the car leaks when it rains! the car is now rusting inside from it. the car has been in for service 3 times and they still have not fixed it right.

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  Not in the league of a (any model) VW EOS AT ALL! - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By JFR - August 25 - 1:54 am

  I was so excited & really wanted to like this car, but ended up buying a 2016 VW EOS "Final Edition." Quality of interior material is about as cheap as it gets in this price range & below (Think Pontiac Sunfire). Now, the EOS is FAST FAST FAST! 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, faster in the Sport model due to 18" wheels coupled with Pirelli P-Zero Neros. Cornering is flat on the EOS, & the Hardtop/Sunroof combo (The ONLY ONE EVER MADE, Period) is much more solid, quiet, warm in cold climates than any ragtop. Great gas mileage too. Ok, this sounds like a VW EOS review, so all I can say is TEST BOTH, & YOU WILL NOTICE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! At around the same price (And MUCH less for a Used, certified EOS, this car just must be passed by!) I cannot justify reviewing a vehicle when at the same price there are other vehicles that are MUCH MUCH better, in just about every way! Even the Mazda Miata, albeit much smaller & for no one over 6 feet tall, BLOWS THIS AWAY BY LEAPS & BOUNDS! But, the best Convertible, Lb. for Lb., maybe ever made, is the overlooked, very well made, extremely safe & reliable (Proven) VW EOS. And, IT DOES NOT LEAK A DROP (That was the very 1st model year, since fixed with better seals)! This Buick can best be described in total as a "Pontiac or Chrysler Sebring Convertible redux." But dont take my word for it, READ THE PROS REVIEWS!

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  Too many things gone wrong! - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By unhappy - August 23 - 6:47 pm

  I have had to replace both front hubs at only 52,000 miles, power steering pump is blown at 60,000 miles, check engine light has come on several times for no reason causing diog. prior to inspection, interior parts loose, speakers already blowing. Very inaccurate gas guage which has already caused me to run out of gas.

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  AC problems - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By JN - August 23 - 5:51 am

  Bought this Rendezvous used when it was 2 yrs old. A/C didnt work and dealership hid that fact. Had electrical problems and had to pay to have them fixed. Then stereo blew and couldnt use CD player at all! Low price as a used minivan but many problems!

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  First Year Flaws - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By GM Brat - August 20 - 7:04 pm

  I have now owned this Buick for 3+ years and have put 75k miles on her. She is still very docile, quiet and well mannered, just what you would expect from a Buick.