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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  Great Ride - 2004 Buick Century
  By Selling in Ohio - March 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Century. I cover the state of Ohio, as a saleman, and put about 40,000 miles a year on the car. I can,t say enough about the Century, great ride, and great reliability its never let me down. The only maintance is oil changes, normal wear items like tires and brakes. To bad this is the last year for the Century. The LaSalle is beautiful but it costs to much for a guy on a company car plan.

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  buyers review - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By farrah - March 6 - 2:00 am

  this is my first brand new car. i love everything about. it is a car that i can defintley grow into. the only negative thing i have to say is about the gas mileage. i get about 19mpg. i guess this is good but my previos car was a neon so im used to 30mpg.

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  Great value for the money - 2002 Buick Regal
  By RegalGS - March 4 - 2:00 am

  Superb car! Tons of power, silky smooth ride, great looking. Very comfortable front seats long drives are no problem. Even the fuel economy isnt bad - Ive gotten as high as 31 MPG on the highway. FANTASTIC reliability. In 2 years and 40K miles, Ive had these problems: the fog light switch was defective and the rearview mirror fell off the windshield on a very hot summer day (both fixed under warranty) at 36K miles the front rotors were slightly warped ($80 repair). Thats it!

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  Kiss my spoiler HONDA - 1998 Buick Regal
  By BUICK TEEN - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, everything about it. I am 19 and think this car is just plain out awesome. I love how fast it can go, i find my self jumping on the freeway just so i can accelerate fast, i love love love the supercharged engine

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  Buick Rainer - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Gene L. Garrett - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle. Very quite and fun to drive

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  Buick Regal - 2004 Buick Regal
  By carol glasgow - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Nice responsiveness and acceleration. Well placed controls. Good front leg room. Large trunk with fold down back seats. Love the remote for locking and unlocking the doors, opening the trunk, and security feature. Nice CD/cassette player,and radio with good quality sound. Neat exterior and stylish interior. Great family car!

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  Love it! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Tami17a - March 2 - 2:00 am

  My first SUV. Love everything about it. I purchased the V8 model and am happy that I did. The engine is very smooth in transition.

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  My New Buick LaSabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By DRJ - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Great Car, overall, for us seniors. Very comfortable ride. Seats are very comfortable and adjustable. Easy to get in and out. Vertually no wind noise. Nice instument panel - love the RPM gauge.

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  Enjoy yourself - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Doon - March 2 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Buick and, after three years in an Oldsmobile Aurora (A V-8, by the way) its nice to be back. This car is big, comfortable, surprisingly high spirited for a full sized sedan with a six cylinder engine, and very very well mannered. Ive always enjoyed driving. Now I enjoy it more than ever.

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  2003 Buick Regal - 2003 Buick Regal
  By Marlon Philippi - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great ride