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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  Heavy Rear Door - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By JERRY - September 26 - 10:18 pm

  Turning radius fantastic. Removable center seats, great. Rear door opening OK. Rear door closing, you got to be kidding. It is very heavy with no power or air shock assist. Only bad feature to the vehicle

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  03 Buick Ultra - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Buick03 - September 26 - 9:33 pm

  This Buick Ultra really looks good to me. It has some "sparkle" to it. I like the quiet ride and wonderful radio sound. Handles very good, and wonderful engine. I have had older Park Ave Ultras, and they have been great cars!

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  Buick Rendezvous 2002 - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By leshammond - September 26 - 5:00 am

  Great exterior design. Best sound system ever. Love head up display. Some electronic and other repair issues.

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  my evaluation - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jtiger - September 24 - 10:06 pm

  great riding,all amenities,needs more engine power,eye turner

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned! - 1992 Buick Century
  By Chris - September 24 - 12:22 am

  Well, I bought her 5 years ago when she had 92,000 miles. I paid $700. for her. I hated the fake wood trim but I trusted that I would get my moneys worth. She only has 130,000 now but she will need to retire soon as the body is looking rough and repairs are finally starting. I am sure her engine and transmission would go to 200,000. Unlike the Mercury Sable I bought 2 years, this Buick has been a blessing in snow and in repairs. Other than routine maintenance, nothing has gone wrong.(The Sable looks nicer but is a piece of junk and at 130,000 miles, the engine is about to go!) I wish Buick was still making these little wagons. I love them!

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  Tear in my Beer - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sharon - September 22 - 1:42 am

  This was my first SUV purchase and I was very happy The ride is smooth and enjoyable to drive. The vehicle is large and adequate to fit our family of six our dog.

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  Dawns 2002 Buick Review - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By DDoerr - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I have only had the vehicle for a month, but I thoroughly enjoy driving it. I went from a minivan to the SUV. It acts like a minivan (smooth, easy to manuever, 7 passenger seating) but it looks tougher (not a "soccer mom" vehicle). The Buick is very sleek and Ive received NUMEROUS compliments on it.

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  There are a few warts - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Tim - September 19 - 9:08 pm

  Overall, very satisfied, but have a few warnings. MPG is hopelessly below what the EPA sticker says (barely get 20mpg in city). Although the trunk is voluminous, the opening is smaller than the Century and I find it difficult to get large objects inside. And whoever put that piece of chrome across the middle of the dash so all sunlight from 10am to 2pm shines directly in the drivers eyes needs to be flogged.

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  It is not a Park Avenue by any standard - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Terry - September 18 - 6:39 pm

  The seats are too small and the seats do not cool as they should. The entry and exit system is a laugh. The only real problem I have had is vibration. I took it back to the dealer, but it did not help. It is not a good buy at $33000.

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  incomprehensible rear end - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Dennis Gates - September 17 - 9:58 pm

  For some unknown reason, the car has double rear lights. Two sets. Beautiful outside lights. Then open the trunk, and there is a second set of rear lights with blinkers, and all. This takes up a large part of the trunk space (already naturally limited by the fold down top). I could not fit a set of golf clubs nor a suitcase because of these double lights. WHY???? No one knew. Then one salespersons said "well if you are stopped on a dark highway, with trunk open to change a tire, they are a safety" hmmmmm. How many times in my 40 year driving career have I stopped for that? None. Not valid. j I am looking to try and remove the inner rear lights. Just a tremendous waste of trunk space. And cost to build and what a cost to repair!!! Dennis Gates