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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  Cadillac to Ranier - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Betty W - June 26 - 1:04 pm

  Wed been driving Cadillac sedans for years and switched to the Ranier SUV. It is very comfortable and pulls a trailer very well even in the mountains. We love the Ranier.

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  2007 Lucerne - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By lucerne - June 26 - 12:22 pm

  Difficult entry and exit. Doors swing closed when trying to exit. Owner options on computer difficult to do. I liked the LaSabre 2005 much better.

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  Why did I buy this car? - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Judi - June 25 - 10:28 pm

  This is not a good SUV for a short person. The huge side mirrors block view from all angles. The overhead tailgate is unbelievably difficult to close. Tailgate interior strap broke last week, and tonight, the overhead interior glasses case clasp broke and is now hanging interfering with the rear view mirror. The third row seats are extremely difficult to return to a sitting position. Overall, very poor interior design.

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  Excellent SUV - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By alley - June 24 - 10:50 pm

  This is a great SUV. Very comfortable to drive and ride in. Love the third row option. Could be a bit more snazzy and cool. Have made some good improvements since I purchased though. Friends still refer to it as a minivan despite SUV title.

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  I love it but - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Ann - June 22 - 10:33 pm

  I love the car. It is probably the best driving and riding Buick I have had. The only problems are the headliner is sagging in the front and the driver’s side door handle pulled out. Took it back to the dealership and have to bring it back when the part for the door handle comes in and an upholsterer will have to work on the headliner. The car has 6000 miles on it.

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  Bad Luck Buick - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Debra Cacoilo - June 21 - 9:03 am

  I fell in love with the style of the SUV. I went from a Vue to a Rendezvous, much much more roomier. Only problems are every time it rains, the water was running in through the dashboard. Got the driver side fixed but have been back twice for the passenger side. Also, battery light keeps coming on. Waiting to get that fixed. Passenger window cracked (factory defect) waiting for that part and the ceiling panel was hanging got that fixed. Still love the car but they should have made the driver seat more adjustable to move back further. Lots of room and comfy back seat that reclines. Would buy again but maybe have less of a water problem

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  People say to me "thats a Buick" - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By John K - June 21 - 8:31 am

  I love the comfort in my car. I am in sales and bring many clients out and I hear all the time "this is a Buick" or "Thats an American Car". A few of my friends that bought other cars will say they wish they had riden with me first before they made their purchase. I also love that I get an email each month telling me where I am with tire pressure, oil, and other maintenance. My wife will trade in our BMW X5 for the new Enclave.

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  Cant be a luxury car. Only ordinary - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By BYS1435 - June 19 - 10:17 pm

  Good for ride, commute ever day, worse AC, bad mechanical and electrical. It is Only ordinary car, and it cant be in the "Entry Level" luxury car. Buy other brands instead, and stay away with this junk buster.

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  Was a big mistake to stop making them. - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By Bob Young - June 16 - 9:11 pm

  I do a lot of highway driving and always get close to or over 20 mpg driving 70-75 mph with the AC on. I play in a band and it hauls an upright bass, big speaker cabs, bass guitars, amp heads, etc. all at the same time very comfortably and with plenty of power at all times and even fits my wife. The car is very reliable, and the motor uses less than 1/4 of a quart of oil in 3000 miles with 96000 miles on the odometer. This car is a blast to drive and I get comments all the time, these are becoming classics and rightfully so. Ill take one of these over a roadhog SUV anyday and you can even see over them when you are in back of them. They ride like but handle much better than the old boats.

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  2004 LeSabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By len vanover - June 15 - 1:24 pm

  I purchased the car with 28,000 miles on it. It has a great ride and is very easy to steer with the light steering. The car is trouble free an fun to drive and reliable. The only low mark is would give is that the seat belt buckle is hard to locate and is a bit of a struggle to connect. Im sold on Buick construction and reliability.