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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  EXCELLENT BUT TO SLOW - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By MOORE - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I FEEL THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR BUT IT IS DEFINITLY UNDER POWERED. IT SHOULD OF AT LEAST HAD THE 3800 ENGINE IN IT OR A TRUCK ENGINE.WEVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND DEALERS NOT TAKING CARE OF IT SAYING CANT BE FOUND. IM REFERRING TO AN OIL LEAK FROM THE MANIFOLD AT 50000 MILES. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS V-6. OTHER THAN THAT COMFORT,LOOKS AND HANDLING HAVE BEEN GREAT.

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  A great choice! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By dratnol - February 29 - 2:00 am

  Having owned a Lexus with major reliability problems, I purchased this Buick last November. My job keeps me on the road a lot and this vechile has been great so far. It is very comfortable, handles very well, and is a high quality truck. The interior fit and finish is great and the exterior has uniform gaps amonst body panels. This vechile is extremely quiet and I have been very pleased with this choice.

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  Buick Rendezvous - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By DiMats - February 28 - 2:00 am

  This is the first time I have been complimented many times on the beautiful exterior of a car I own from young to old alike. It is a comfortable car to drive and handles very well in snow and rain alike.

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  check it out!!! - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By Shawneeeee - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Best car i ever had still have it, FAST!!!!

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  Nothing beats a V8!! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By yukon - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I drove the 6 cyl and then the 8 cyl back to back on test drives. WOW! What a difference. The V8 only gives you 15 more HP and 50 lbs/ft torque but it drives like a whole different vehicle. I needed the V8 to tow our 5200 lb travel trailer and it does well towing it.(with Weight Dist. Hitch) The Rainer does it as well as the Silverado I traded in.

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  Girly Chic! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By pirtfest - February 25 - 2:00 am

  As a very feminine woman, it surprises me that I chose a Rainier. I had been looking at the Cadillac CTS and test drove the Rainier. I was hooked immediately. It rides like a sedan, its easy to get things in and out of the rear hatch, and folding down the seats is easy. Gary Bibb at Dutton Motor Company in Riverside, CA did me a real favor by showing me this vehicle.

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  My Rainer - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Hopey - February 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is awesome. I could not be happier. Its fun to drive and comfortable on longer trips. I also have a 97 Lesabre that is still going strong. I got rid of an Expedition for this Buick Rainer and would do it again in a heartbeat.

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  gm quality, same old story - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By charles brunner - February 23 - 2:00 am

  weve driven gm cars for over thirty years. they have been very reliable. the comfort, security and great milage assure that the tradition will continue. each time we get a new lasabre we how they can get better. then we get a new one and find out. my wife especially likes the moisture sensor. ours is loaded and i cant imagine wanting any- thing more in a vehicle.

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  - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By dit0mat0 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Very fast, comfortable drive, real luxury at an affordable price.

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  Excellent Car for the Money! - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By fatbak - February 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my wifes car and we looked and test drove cars for four months before settling on the Buick LeSabre Limited. - It had the features my wife wanted: side impact airbags for driver and front passenger, good gas mileage, regular gas, huge trunk,rear passenger hvac, big interior and big car ride. The Gran Touring option seems to greatly improve handling, and, for a big car, it handles very well.