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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  Unrivaled - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By Zach P - August 10 - 7:10 pm

  Its amazing how many people will come up to you and compliment you on your car, especially knowing its 9 years old. This car is beautiful, its stylish, its elegant, and its a lot of fun to drive. You never see these things on the road where I live, and its cool to drive something that nobodys seen before or heard of. This is my first car, and I loved it the minute I decided to buy it. If you consider purchasing one from a company or person whos taken good care of it for years (like I did), you wont be disappointed.

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  Paint it Yellow - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sassy - August 10 - 6:44 pm

  What a lemon! Back hatch lock broke, the handle to close the hatch broke, the pumps that raise a lower the back hatch have broken several times. Switch has locked up several times, overhead sunglasses compartment has been replaced twice because it has fallen down and just hangs there. Battery didnt even last the first year. The front end doesnt stay aligned, 2 new tires, now it looks like we will have to put on another 2 tires. The upholstery is stained, not scotchguarded at all. I thought Buick was top of the line, well, the one we got is at the end of the line. Will definitely not buy another GM product, will go with Honda or Toyota. Had to buy extended warranty just to stay afloat

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  Could Be Great - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Business Mom - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Bought RDV instead of mini-van and regretted it almost right away. RDV has great luxury items--air compressor, sound system, leather seats, terrific consoles--but actual hauling space is limited. Third row seat only usuable for small children or if middle seats are removed. The blind spots are AWFUL!! The huge side mirrors, dark glass and back window frames make seeing on the sides a hassle. The gas mileage is poor for city driving and the electrical system is haunted by poltergeist. Im trading this car in for a minivan and I dont think Ill miss it.

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  Makes my 07 Acura MDX look bad - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By ExRIGuy - August 9 - 9:46 pm

  We are a mid 30s couple with 3 kids who typically buys imports. I recently purchased a 2007 Acura MDX Sport to replace a Lexus -- so I have a good reference point. We traded in a Toyota Sienna. Never thought wed buy a Buick, but were always open to an American car that is competitive on the merits. This car makes a mockery of most competitors. This is a remarkable car that feels like it should cost $15k more (at least). Build quality and quietness are superior to my Acura, and it is far more plush and stylish in my opinion. It appears to be nothing short of the rebirth of the American family vehicle. Put your image of Buick as you know it aside and give this thing a try.

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  Waste of Money - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Eric - August 8 - 9:25 pm

  The Terraza was a great van for the first 6000 miles after that stuff started going wrong with it. The interior is very noisy. The back hatch rattles. The passenger power sliding door pops open after you close it. The anti-lock stabilitrak has a warning and service brakes soon message, and the dealer cant find the problem. There is a clunking noise coming from the left front. I had an Oldsmobile van that this van replaced, I wish the Buick was as nice as the Oldsmobile. I would not purchase another one.

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  Never Buy a Used Rendevous - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Pat Z. - August 8 - 1:16 pm

  I bought 2002 with less than 28000 miles on it. One year later with 38000 I have had to replace/repair to the tune of over $3500. The gas tank sensor, drivers power window motor, cooling system gaskets, ignition module, a/c sensor module and rear chassis springs and finally the main computer (this is the only repair covered by Buick). I am a 58 yr old woman and the SUV was serviced regularly at the Buick garage, My Buick dealer has been great thru all of this.Supplying me with a loaner etc. Buick however, did nothing! I am trading this piece of junk in on anything that is not a Buick.

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  I love this car - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By kathyi - August 8 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It could be a little faster when I need to accelerate suddenly. Its comfortable and eas to drive.

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  Eventually all power windows failed - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By exbuickfan - August 6 - 2:53 pm

  The Buick LeSabre has finally been discontinued and hopefully the engineers who designed the power windows have been fired. This overall excellent automobile is handicapped by power window regulators that are poorly designed, badly manufactured and exhibit little or no quality control.

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  Great Buy - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Momma P - August 6 - 12:59 pm

  Afer having a baby, my husband and I knew that the Pontiac G6 that we owned was too small for a now family of 3. We looked and looked to find a SUV in our price range and found that all of the ones we were interested in were out of our range. We decided to take a look at roomier cars with the dealer that sold us our G6 and he informed us on a great buy with the Rendevous! We ended up paying roughly $30 more per month than what we were currently paying and got a roomier car all at once. The other little SUVs did not have nearly the space and were charging doulbe the price. We love our new car!

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  Not quite what was advertized - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Mike S - August 5 - 7:31 pm

  This is not a Park Avenue. Was told by salesman this was the replacement. The car is not very comfortable at all after about 45mins, your lower back/rear end really start to ache. Lent the car to my secretary, she made the same comment. Have also had the front air deflector fall off 3 times at highway speeds, which Buick will not replace as a warranty item. Finally tore it off and just drive without it. Heated seats work well, but the AC seat function cools about a 3x8 inch strip of the seat near your crotch, nothing more. If you want a car for long drives, look elsewhere