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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  This is the best car I have ever owned. - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Mike - July 28 - 4:04 pm

  This car has all of the bells and whistles. OnStar is great, and I love satellite radio built in. Comfortable seats and stylish interior. The outside of the car looks sharp. It has the quiet tuning, so it is smooth and quiet inside the car. Just a real elegant, sophisticated driving experience. American made quality, with refined luxury. Im only 36 and all of my friends rag on me for getting a Buick, but now that I own one I see why all of the older guys out there buy them over an over again!

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  Never again - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By LD - July 28 - 1:40 pm

  This car is absolutely terrible. Everything except the transmission and radiator has been replaced at least once and many components are the third or fourth generation. The trunk leaks, the headlights are as worthless as candles, 3 alternators, 2 steering pumps, 3 fuel pumps, 4 fuel senders, one PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, one water pump, multiple dash realys, air conditioning controls four times, and a myriad of other componenets. Currently, the rear defogger doesnt work and the fuel guage is out again. Not worth it, even if its given to you.

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  This is one serious sedan! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By seargentslate - July 27 - 6:36 pm

  I drove so many cars in search of the perfect sedan that had all of the features I was looking for. I wanted something very comfortable with lots of room and little road noise. This car rides so smooth and quiet, there are times when you do not know if the engine is running and you have to press the accelerator to see if it is! My CXL is loaded with Nav, Remote start, air conditioned seets and the awesome sharkskin paint. GM has really outdone itself and they still can build great cars. Buicks 4yr warranty is proof of their confidance. You have to drive this car. Forget Honda and Toyota. This is a serious sedan and at zero percent interest, you cannot lose!

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  Best All-Round - 2000 Buick Park Avenue
  By DRM - July 27 - 2:30 pm

  I bought my Park with 89k miles and am approaching 100k with no issues. Drives and sounds like a new vehicle. My car was a one-owner with all service records. You wont find a vehicle with the same high mix of size, fuel economy, PRICE, dependability and comfort. Its the best all-round. I would highly recommend it as a used vehicle purchase. The only negative point that I see is the interior design - does not live up to a $30k+ vehicle. Exterior is very timeless and classy. Ride and fuel economy is excellent! I chose it over Cadillac (price and dependability), Lincoln (price and fuel econ)and Chrysler (dependability).

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  Good value - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Art - July 27 - 5:26 am

  My LaCrosse CXL has real curb appeal and nice features such as the telescoping stearing wheel. Its very comfortable on the open road, although gas mileage is not as good as the LeSabre I traded in for it. The brakes are very good but acceleration is just ok. I wish GM had made the larger engine standard. The standard radio sounds surprisingly good and adjusts volume as you increase speed. Neat.

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  OMG this car is the BEST! 2 - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By TheUltimateAuthority - July 26 - 1:25 am

  UPDATE! See my original post 7/10/2002 My LeSabre now has 110,000 and its 5 years later and I still have the same car. and it continues to perform! Great car!

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  small breaks big bucks - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By cat - July 25 - 11:35 am

  Just after the extended warranty was up the power window quit working. A small plastic piece broke costing $190. Now the other front window has made a loud pop and I am afraid to use it for fear it will not roll up soon. The ac condensor has a pinhole rubbed in it by the frame the quote is $800. If summer would have come a month sooner the vehicle would have still been under warranty. The mechanic that quoted the ac problem said that this is a common problem that he sees a lot.

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  Who designed this car? - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By elevator-craneman - July 23 - 8:04 pm

  For a big car it is small inside. The seats are not comfortable. Very little elbow room between seats. In the first year the car has been back at the dealership for four weeks. I have had a lot of electrical problems, erratic fan blower twice and remote entry failure. The owners manual says that the climate control is suppose to automaticly cool and heat with remote start, it does not. The dealership tells me it is not suppose to. I guess the owners manual must be wrong, not! I have had it back twice for a knock in the steering column. Turning radius is no very tight. Have to make wide turns when entering head in parking spot

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  LaCrosse, Best in Class - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Florida Amy - July 22 - 5:02 pm

  We are absolutely thrilled with our LaCrosse. It is luxurious and exilerating. I look for reasons to leave the house just so I can drive the LaCrosse. The 3.8l V-6 needs no urging and jumps at the chance to run like the wind! It dives into corners with an unquenchable hunger and the traction control adds a new level of control. The car is almost alive in its ability to know how to get through the corners. You dont drive a LaCrosse, you command a LaCrosse! Weve never been so thrilled by a "luxury" sedan.

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  Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By michael - July 21 - 2:06 pm

  Wow! I have hit the jackpot!! After almost three months, I still get as excited about driving this vehicle as I did the day I bought it. Buick really deserves credit for getting this one right!