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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  unstoppable - 1993 Buick Skylark
  By mickey - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car I bought it for $900.00 and it is running strong. We just had a small mishap with the fan. Other than that I couldnt ask for anything more cozy and smooth riding.

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  Indestructible - 1990 Buick Skylark
  By Larkson - November 16 - 2:00 am

  The best first car I could have imagined. Sure it may not be winning any car shows but it was for just that reason that it was such a great first car. I put on 50,000 cruel miles in about 3 years with no major mechanical errors. Kind of a small backseat but 5 high schoolers can fit in with only minor squeezing. Overall a great first car and uber comfortable.

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  Stylish,but.................. - 2011 Buick Regal
  By DT - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car for 3 months and almost 3,000 miles. Interior and exterior quality is outstanding as is the performance. However, I have found the new Regal to ride harshly on most streets, the gas mileage averages around 22 mpg overall and has not hit 30mpg on the highway. It rides smoothly on the interstate.

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  Great Crossover - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Ruk - November 12 - 2:00 am

  My wife wanted out of her Odyssey minivan so we started looking at crossovers. The Enclave has more features than most other crossovers at a great price. The ride is smooth and comfortable. All of the controls are easy to use and intuitive. Sliding second row seats are a nice touch and allow easy access for our 3 kids and friends. GPS takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, its easy to use. Gas mileage is poor, but we knew that going in. Overall, not as much storage room with 3rd row up as the minivan, but my wife is much happier, so Im happier. Very pleased with this purchase.

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  Pros outweigh cons - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Rainman5542 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I wanted an American car assembled in the US. The styling grabbed my attention and reviews in the auto press were very good. After 3,000 miles, I am still happy with my decision despite some negatives. My gas mileage with the 3.6L engine is a disappointment. The bluetooth implementation is incomplete in that my Blackberry contacts cant be downloaded to the NAV HDD. Dealer service is apathetic. I have an intermittant unresolved clanging or banging sound at startup. Overall I am impressed with the quiet and comfort.

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  More Cons than Pros - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By sarah - November 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2009 Enclave in Florida then moved to the mountains in Virginia 10mo later. First off the car is really loud when standing outside but quiet on the inside.These are the things going wrong. Plastic outside between the windows bubble/ripple, coating came off of air conditioner button, carpet worn completely down on passenger side, car rolls back while in drive on a hill as if it were in reverse, car rolls at least 6 inches after putting it in park on flat land, knocking noise when i turn my steering wheel either way and the carpet is made very very cheap.All these things are covered under warranty except the carpet.Still have problems with car rolling back while n drive on hill.

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  My First Love - 1995 Buick Regal
  By reginarider86 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  I got her in the summer of 05 with 130K+ and she ran like a beauty. Out lasted a lot of my friends much younger cars. Had a lot of brake pad changes and rear left caliper siezed up on me but it was a good first car. When she died she had over 200K on her. I got my monies worth.

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  Great car - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By PYB1495 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 140000 miles, the car car runs perfect and the fuel MPG is great. Smooth ride and strong engine. Before this i had a Buick Regal and sold it with 250000 miles and everything working well. i will buy Buick in the future.

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  Great Crossover - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By gip - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Quiet, responsive and top notch quality throughout.

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  Buick Enclave - Style and Comfort! - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By John W - November 6 - 2:00 am

  We have loved the appearance of the Enclave since it was first introduced and found our smaller vehicles did not have the utility we require for hauling grandchildren and all the things we tend to want to take on long road trips and vacations. This vehicle has a quiet and smooth ride, with a very luxurious cabin and amenities. The seating we chose provides four bucket seats as well as a third-row bench.