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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  A Pleasurable and Performing SUV - 2007 Buick Rainier
  By JMC6 - October 4 - 4:08 pm

  Have been incredibly pleased with all aspects of this SUV. The smooth and quiet of the ride are not like an SUV. Plenty of power in the I-6. Dollar value was outstanding. It is unfortunate that Buick is not continuing the Rainier.

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  Back to Foreign - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Leo - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Thinking Buick was one of the best GM vehicles and wanting to buy American (actually it was Canadian) I purchased this as my first new car ever. Two months after the time warranty expired (3 years but the car had only 29000 miles) I needed a new transmission switch. While fixing the transmission, the mechanic found an air conditioning problem (over $1000) then while repairing the air conditioning found an intake manifold seal problem (over $1000). The catch for partial "goodwill" warranty coverage was allowing them to perform the expensive 30000 mile service. It still cost me over $1000 and the transmission still shifed rough. Fortunately I sold it before something else went wrong.

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  2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By leshammond - October 4 - 1:30 am

  This vehicile has everything. Best stereo in any car I have had including Cadillacs. Head up display, 3rd seat, leather throughout, OnStar, heated mirrors, 4 driver memory, backup protection and all of the other extras that Buick offered that year and not on some later models. It is a little underpowered, the 4 wheel drive is more for show, high crosswinds at 80 MPH are scary and electronic components are expensive to replace, but overall this has been one our favorite cars along with the Mercedes convertible and the Arizona Edition Cadillac we now own!

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  Best car I ever owned - 1992 Buick Roadmaster
  By mark - October 3 - 6:17 pm

  Great car. Handles great, drives great. Good gas mileage for a big car. Most comfortable car Ive been in, in a long time. I love my car

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  What a Car! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Bizman - October 2 - 12:27 pm

  I really love the looks of the car inside and out. I know that GM has finally started making great cars again that can compete with any make. It is a driving dream and the first trip we received 33 mpg at 60 mph on cruise. Nothing to complain about. I had looked at a Honda Accord and felt I was getting more vehicle for my dollar with the Buick.

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  Regretful choice - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Bembie - October 2 - 11:18 am

  I have been very disappointed with my Terraza. The sliding doors are hard to close. There is no storage between the front seats and I have a hard time finding somewhere to put my purse when my cupholders are open. There are no air vents in the back and my kids hated this part. I had to have the rear end replaced at 35,000 miles. There are also many rattles inside. Road noise is annoying, too. I am in the process of trading, even though it is not a good financial move for me. The depreciation of this vehicle is terrible, but I am willing to go into a new vehicle after being "upside down" with this one. This is my first Buick and I have been disappointed.

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  always a buick - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Mary l zimmerman - October 1 - 11:05 pm

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  Buick LaCrosse Super - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Super LaCrosse - September 29 - 11:46 am

  I purchased my first Buick in December 2007. I chose a LaCrosse CXS. After owning a Olds Intrigue, I wanted to see what Buick had to offer. What a surprise. I loved my Lacrosse with the V-6. It had power, luxury and was so much better built than my Olds. I heard that Buick was going to build the Super, so I waited and bought the one off the showroom floor. I gave my CXS to my son,he loves it and he is 21. What a wonderful car!. Buick and GM have finally put together a complete package of power,luxury,value and overall satisfaction you will not regret. I find my Super to be smooth comfortable and fun to drive. I like it better than my Caddy STS.This is no old man car, I drive 140 miles a day.

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  A Park Avenue it is not - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By terry - September 28 - 7:03 am

  I cannot get rid of the vibration, and the seats are uncomfortable. The cooled seats only cool a small portion. The rear of the car looks like a$10,000 car, not a $35000 car

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  2001 Regal GS Olympic Special Model - 2001 Buick Regal
  By ElGavilan - September 27 - 7:55 pm

  Very rapid but only if needed via Supercharger. Decent gas mileage: 20.5 city, as high as 29 highway (normally about 27). Great car. Very pleasing to look at. Handles well and goes very fast with terrific acceleration upon request.