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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  Not good long term - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By anocrelic - January 5 - 12:27 am

  I have driven GM cars for the past 32 years and have obviously been very pleased or I would have changed. I like the size, performance, styling and comfort of my La Crosse. I purchased it in 2005 with less than 15,000 miles on it and have had very few problems UNTIL it reached 90,000 miles. After that everything seemed to go wrong with this car almost at once. Its been properly maintained the same as all previous vehicles which lasted 150,000 + miles without problems. I am very disappointed in this vehicle for that reason alone.

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  Trying to be loyal - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By manymiles - December 28 - 4:08 pm

  Come on GM, where is the quality? We have 48,000 miles on our Enclave. In the last four months we have replaced the rear HVAC unit, steering speed sensor, water pump, rewired the trailer harness (incorrect from factory), replaced a screw that was loose from the air box and rattling (very annoying), and now a tpms is faulty causing a low tire every morning! Trying hard to remain a GM fan but these problems are making it difficult. If we travel very far these days we always take our Acura, VERY DEPENDABLE!!!

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  31 year old owner - 2011 Buick Regal
  By 1487 - December 28 - 10:47 am

  I guess I will be the first to offer comments after 5k miles and nearly 6months of ownership. Thus far there havent been any real issues. The only "problem" I have is that the horn doesnt sound when the doors are locked even though I have that setting selected in the DIC. I havent been back to the dealer yet. The ride and handling are excellent as is the build quality on this car. Love the H/K stereo and the excellent MP3 integration. I really thought I was going to miss the lack of CD changer but with so many other options its no big deal. The backseat is tight for adults but OK for kids. The styling garners lots of compliments from strangers- even people in traffic. People love the looks

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  My white on white trim very rare - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By White on White Conve - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I have rebuilt almost the entire car. Only thing I have left is interior seats. Some simple external fixes. This car has new engine, 1990 Buick replacement engine, new transmission, air, original paint white on white trim which is a special order. Car is fun to drive, new top, great tires, I love it!

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  great suv - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By nana - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my suv new in jan 2004 and i now have over 191,000 miles..just put the first battery on it still had the original..no major issues just normal work down..I cant complain..Ive owned 2 buick now and they both have been great vehicles and very reliable

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  Itll Certainly Turn Heads - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By D. Huff - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Before my Lacrosse I owned a Cadillac DHS. I bought this car because I felt if Cadillac was shrinking the size of their vehicles and adding more plastics, then I would get more bang for my buck with Buick. I was right. I absolutely love this car. When on the highway in Sport mode this car will be over 100 in the blink of an eye.

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  03 REGAL LS ABBOUD - 2003 Buick Regal
  By joba244 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because we already had a 1996 gran sport that is a dream to drive especially for long trips, so i was kinda curious as to the new version. It is just right for power and comfort but there has been lots of added or improved features by the competition so it is feeling its age. Joseph Abboud spec has a sports set up I think, and it does not come close to the gran sport for ride comfort.Albeit a great family hauler.

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  2004 Rendezvous Ultra - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By dr_rick - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Ultra in 2007 with 80K on it put another 60K on it in three years. Has room similar to a minivan, but with better handling, and a 3rd row seat. The 3.6L engine is unusually advanced for a GM product behaves more like a Honda motor and pulls my 21ft bass boat with no trouble. No problems with the climate control system or AWD powertrain. Wheel bearings wore out relatively early and recently the pneumatic ride control system quit. Fuel economy is not that great, but the VVT mechanism is sensitive to oil quality, and I suspect the O2 sensors have exceeded their life expectancy. In retrospect, I would probably purchase it again if I had similar requirements.

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  Nice Car - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By ech227 - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Purcased the vehicle two weeks ago. Have 610 miles so far. Overall I like the car, but its not perfect. A lot of features for the money. Had been looking at this car for a year and finally bought it in Mocha Steel. Much more modern car than my parents 08 Lucerne. Im only 39 and people are shocked its a Buick.

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  Good Reliable Car - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By The Seeker - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car and fell in love with it. It rides smooth and is good on gas. So far Ive replaced the water pump and the brake cylinder seems to be next. I has 117k so I expect good thing in the near future. Peace and love.