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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  Buick Century - 2001 Buick Century
  By J. Hawk - September 7 - 3:10 pm

  This has been the best and most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. After almost 6 years of ownership, I have not had any mechanical problems. The only defect has been a window motor. I plan to purchase another Buick as a result of my experience with this car.

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  Nice, quiet, and fun to drive - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By rlbumich - September 7 - 1:06 pm

  Owned this vehicle for a week now. Great ride! Quiet cabin interior. Has all the options that I was looking for in a luxury car. It is like I am riding on air. Engine is quiet and I barely notice it--only in high exceleration. Ride is smooth and car handles well in traffic. Recently, JDP has given this 2007 Buick Lucerne a favorable quality rating with Lexus. No problem operating the features of the car and handles well on the highway and so far good milege in the city. Some consumers have made quality complaints about their car and I have yet to experience them. Overall, so far, no lemon here! Again, for me this is a fine luxury car not at the high end price!

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  Excellent buy compared to Imports - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Vijay - September 7 - 10:57 am

  A very nice car. Have been driving it for the past year. No problems whatsoever. Very, very quiet. Looks great. Fuel economy of 29-30 mpg on highway and 25 mpg average. Only crib is that the CD player does not play MP3s and there is no port to hook up iPod. Otherwise a great car.

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  2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL AWD - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jan - September 6 - 8:21 am

  I loved my Rendezvous! However, it was a mechanical nightmare! The major parts of the air conditioning system had to be replaced...the transmission went at 50,000 miles...the chrome factory rims began to pit and lose air, destroying my brand new tires. The radio faded in and out. Power window on drivers side went. Lastly the plastic roof console hinge broke off and I had to rig it back up so that it didnt hang and obstruct my view. I had to replace the rims and tires. V

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  Buick Rendezvous Great Value - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By MB - September 5 - 8:27 am

  This is our second Rendezvous. Both have been excellent autos, no issues with either. Well designed, very comfotable, easy to get in and out of, roomy, quiet, nice driving, very reliable vehicle, typical Buick quality and value. Now that they will no longer be produced, we will go with the new Buick Enclave as our next new car purchase.

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  Average Little Car - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By anniston - September 4 - 3:51 pm

  My job takes me all around the South, so I spend much of my time in the car. I alternate between my Lacrosse company car and my personal Tahoe. All in all, this is a pretty good little car. I always had either a Lesabre or Park Avenue company car before the Lacrosse, and no it does not ride as good and it is not as comfortable, but it really is a bang for the buck. It also gets great gas mileage, usually around 31 MPG on the interstate going 70-75 MPH.

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  Thought Rendezvous was a great deal - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By 2005 rendezvous cx - September 3 - 10:09 am

  Now there is a unusual sound that comes from the engine and the car shakes if we drive over 75mph. This vehicle is now we realize made for the first time in 2002, it doesnt have a long history of good record like lasting long. We still own a 96 regal and a 01 century and both of them drive superb. We heard great things about the Rendezvous from friends but they already returned theirs because he was on a lease. The sound for the bass in the newer Buicks are horrible, which includes the 05 Rendezvous. Seems like a great car in the beginning but not really good.

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  All U, but no S in this SUV - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By byebyebuick - September 2 - 10:00 am

  The 3.4L engine is the same as the several hundred pounds lighter GM minivans, and the mismatch shows badly at the first steep hill ascended. Even worse, the stress of occasional uphill driving upon the under-powered engine causes excessive heating and strain on the engine and transmission. The result in my case was a blown transmission after 14000 miles. And this was AFTER a complete engine replacement due to an improperly installed radiator causing three overheats and a blown head gasket. Surprise! For 2005 GM is putting a new engine/transmission in the Rendezvous. Perhaps worth a second look at that point.

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  142,000 and still strong - 1998 Buick Regal
  By JBFALASKA - September 1 - 10:53 am

  Bought my GS Supercharged at 39,000 miles. To date, I havent even changed the spark plugs. Truly the American Lexus at a 1/3 less cost. I also own the 98 LS version. 200 HP is fine for anyone, but once you get used to the 240HP with 280 torque, youll need to buy a V8 truck to find the equivalent zoom.

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  Impressed - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Bill - August 31 - 11:43 pm

  Traded in 1999 Park Avenue Ultra. I have bought many new cars in the last 40 years. This Lucerne I feel is by far the finest one of all. Great comfort, good fuel ecomy. Took trip with crise on and got 27.5 miles to the gallon. A very enjoyable car to own and drive. Extremely quiet and a joy to drive.