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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  Not a Bad Car For $1800 CDN - 1990 Buick Century
  By Eekem - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Pretty good shape, considering its 13 years old. Still has a smooth ride, but the exterior is getting shabby. The paint is faded and peeling, mostly cosmetic flaws in the body. All in all, its a good car for $1800.

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  Buick has lost two customers for life - 1999 Buick Century
  By Chuck123456 - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Problems, problems, problems. My wife purchased this car new and put 29,000 miles on it before we sold it. In that time frame the car needed to be repaired over sisteen times. Not the same thing every time, but different things on a regular basis. Im not talking minor things either. Before this Buick we have only purchased GM products and have been well satisified with them. However when we purchased this one things changed. If you buy a new GM product and have problems, be prepared to get the run around. I strongly encourage you to look elsewhere, ther are better cars and companies to do business with.

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  My Lemon - 2002 Buick Century
  By Bob from Florida - July 12 - 2:00 am

  My lemon lasted for 4983 miles and then had to be put to sleep. GM is still hassling us around with a refund or replacement after 50+ days. What a disgrace.

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  Too low - 1990 Buick Skylark
  By Wildcat - May 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is too low. Its a pain to get in and out of. I really wish i never bought this car.

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  Buick Regal - 2012 Buick Regal
  By Dam - May 14 - 2:53 pm

  Take a great car with a strong motor ie 3.8 and cheapen it with a 4cylinder. And a bunch of cheap ( bling) plastic and you have a Regal save your money a KI A is cheaper and has a better warranty oh yea it’s fasrer!!!!

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  Uh, yeah, Buick? What were you thinking? - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By rojo412 - April 18 - 2:00 am

  The fact that this car is still moving astounds me. The ABS was bad when I got it, $600 later... still bad. AC... Shot. Rear driver side window... shot. But heres the kicker: The PAINT is FALLING OFF!!! Resale value... Maybe $20

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  Buick Century - 2002 Buick Century
  By B. - March 25 - 2:00 am

  If the 2002 Buick Century is your first choice for a new car, you may want to reconsider. If a cars looks, interior ergonomics, handling, and performance characteristics are important, then you probably shouldnt bother with this Buick. The Centurys six cylinder engine is anemic its radio-tapedeck sound systen is awful and its glove box is so small it barely holds a standard size road map. What were the designers thinking? The really sad part is that car makers design and build cars like these - lacking in every respect, and then have no qualms about expecting consumers to pay $20,000 for the experience. B. Randall

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  97 skylark - 1997 Buick Skylark
  By becky - February 28 - 5:08 pm

  Falling apart at less than 100k miles. Replaced almost everything at least once, and needs new engine.

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  Uncomfortable Seating - Left LaneWarning Not Reli - 2016 Buick Encore
  By John - January 3 - 4:16 pm

  The seats are made with EXTREMELY firm foam and are not designed for comfort. The front passenger seat is smaller than the drivers seat. It would be embarrassing to have a friend of a certain size not be comfortable in that seat I could only drive about an hour without getting pain in my back. THEN I READ AN EDMUNDS REVIEW WHICH MENTIONED THAT AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR IT BECAME AN UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE. The left side SAFETY ALERT is ineffective if a car is passing you at a fairly high rate of speed. By the time the left mirror lights up, the passing car is already beside you. I suspect someone is going to rely on the system and wind up in a serious accident The dash is way too complicated. The Regal model with sane featureds has an easy to read.dash. I traded for a Regal - same dealer - AND LOST THOUSANDS IF DOLLARS!

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  NoMoBuicks - 2001 Buick Park Avenue
  By nomobuicks - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Where to start? Brakes groaned and moaned since purchase. Over 5 brake jobs, no cure. Drivers seat, after 20 minutes, major backache. Factory Rep. stated: " Well its not our fault your body is built weird!". (Seat was installed crooked). Now thats a company with an attitude. Um, Im built quite normal. More maintenance problems, over 20 days in shop in 5 months. After 5 Buicks, No More! Quality is job gone. NoMoBuicks.