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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  Impressive - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By John - August 31 - 12:07 pm

  I have had SUVs for the past 10 years, the ride from my CXL is impressive. The standard features in the CXL are admirable. I am not impressed with the fuel economy at this point in time. A well constructed quality auto.

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  I love my Buick - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By dvdvon - August 31 - 1:42 am

  I researched this car for a few months and decided on the Buick rather than a small Lexus or Mercedes. The new JDE Power dependability ratings make me feel really good about my selection. Cannot say anything bad about the car. Lively in tight situations while still exhibiting the Buick trademark smooth ride. Great fit and finish. Very pleased. A "grown up" car you dont have to be a grandfather to love.

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  Its a nice car - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By frevash - August 30 - 9:22 pm

  Mixed highway/suburban mileage driven in flat to somewhat hilly areas. Average mileage per gallon between fill-ups rarely reaches 20mpg. Given Japanese competition thats rather surprising. Our 2001 LeSabre does it better. Was forewarned by Consumer Reports, but bought the car nevertheless, because I liked looks and ride.Time Elapsed feature doesnt work outside temperature gage is off by at least five degrees (too high) clock has lost two minutes in three months of ownership. For my next purchase. Ill try and overcome my "Buy American" hangup, if necessary.

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  Falling apart - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By thirty year owner - August 30 - 8:52 pm

  I have had the car only 600 miles and today as I opened the front driver side door the door handle pulled out of the door frame. It took me a good while to try to get it back in so that I could get into the car. I finally did but have no idea whether the same thing will happen again. I have just had it into the dealer to repair a dent in the make ready opearation and hate to think about having it tied up for another long trip to the dealer. Are others having trouble indicating such sloppy workmanship? Such a mishap makes me wonder whether I can trust the car or not. The so-called cool seats do not cool much of the seat.

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  Bought in a rush - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By David McLanahan - August 30 - 6:58 pm

  For once a hasty decision on my part turned out good. Upon leaving my sisters home after a two week visit and having my old car all packed to return to Florida, it wouldnt start! Id had problems with it before. Sister screams at me to buy a new car. I remembered my nephew a day earlier telling me about the Buick Lucerne. A car with class and enough room for my 65" frame.I dismissed his opinion. Ive never thoughtabout owning a Buick? Sister dialed a family friend and handed me the phone. Turned out to be a salesman for the Buick dealer I was so stressed i told him to work me a deal and he did. a Lucerne!.The return trip to Florida was fantastic.. I love the car!

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  Everybody should own one! - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Lisa - August 30 - 7:51 am

  I absolutely love my Lucerne. Ive had foreign and domestic cars, but decided to come back to American made cars. I researched and compared approx 5 vehicles before chosing the Lucerne and all of my friends and family love it as well. I get told from teenagers that its a "hot" car, all the way to people in their 70s plus who just love it. Out of all the cars Ive owned...and thats been many, this is my very, very favorite! I wish I could buy one for everyone I know so they could have as much fun as I do. Its like driving a Cadillac on a smart budget. You get all the comfort, bells and whistles, while being able to keep some money in your pocket. Go Buick! You did great!

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  Not Too Shabby! - 1998 Buick Regal
  By MisterG - August 30 - 3:39 am

  I bought this car used with almost 42,000 miles on it. The only thing that caused problems so far is the alternator. It went south at just over 42,000 miles/6 months of ownership. I have the cloth interior (which I like). Bad cupholder and carpet is coming loose on front driver and passenger sides. Window lower moulding trim (black) is corroding and rusting (dont know why). It has be a CA car all its life. Hope to get another 100,000 miles out of it.

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  Stranded - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By kerap - August 28 - 3:11 pm

  Drove my Rendezvous with about 80k on a 4 1/2 hour journey into Northern Michigan--an hour away from our destination the "Hot Coolant" light came on. Blew a head gasket--now What? Have had a wheel bearing replaced under recall, rear hatch replaced under recall, now a $1500 head gasket, have had problems with a/c, hard to find tires. Great fun to drive and comfortable, but would I buy another...um....Not a chance!

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  The Plenum theory, a story of an intake - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By tony b - August 28 - 12:58 pm

  I have put on 40,000 miles since buying this car. No problems, great ride etc, except two weeks ago I became stranded because of the plenum burned out and coolant was logged in the lower intake causing the piston to stop thus stopping my car in the middle of nowhere. I had to walk for miles before a gentleman stopped and offered me a ride. Why was this part (egr) made of plastic and not metal...to save $.20 on each one? Now its going to cost me over $600. to repair it.. Good engineering. One thing is for sure and that is I will stick with Japanese cars..My last was an Acura and I sold it at 181,000.miles.

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  1st year - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Buick Lover - August 27 - 4:52 pm

  Wonderful driving experience, only. Quality is questionable when purchasing a first year car. A lot of bugs to work out, e.g. window relay switches bad, sensors, bad, tracks on bucket seats, bad, brakes, very bad, engine bad, transmission recalled, problems with airconditioning unit within first two years of ownership. Car drives very well, just poor quality parts.