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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  My Tiger Toy - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Seafox - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed owning/driving this vehicle. At first I was concerned that the engine was too small, but after over a year of driving I have not encountered a single instance when I needed more power than it has. It is quite agile and maneuverable. I have plenty of room for all my needs -- in fact, I can get more into it than I could in the Blazer it replaced. It has almost all the bells and whistles and I enjoy every one.

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  Lovin It - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By bgenzoli - October 19 - 2:00 am

  See Title! I love everything about my car. Its smooth, efficient, NICE looking, and the sound system is GREAT!!

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  the best - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Ernie De Cianni - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Never had a problem with this vehicle, it is a 2001 Buick LaSabre. Great runnng car. I rate it a 10.

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  better than Highlander - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By FVEE48 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  The Highlander doesnt offer a power passenger seat, something which was very important to this over 50 year old couple. Add the memory feature of drivers seat and mirrors, plus plenty of comfort and great Turnpike ride, and I place the Highlander second. The ONLY shortcoming is the lack of power. But, I am enjoying better and better highway fuel mileage as a trade off. The RDV delivers near 26 mpg at highway speeds. I dont mind a lack of brute power in an SUV... In the end, I was down to a three year old RX300 with 40K miles, or a brand new, nicely equipped Rendezvous. The choice was obvious...

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  96 - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By abbbbbbbbbb - October 17 - 2:00 am

  great car, this is the second roadmaster I have purchased and it is the most comfortable car I have ever known

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  I love My CAR (suv?) - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By MORELLI - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I WATCHED THIS THIS VEHICLE BEING MADE, LONG BEFORE IT WAS SOLD ON THE ON OPEN MARKET, ON THE INTERNET. THE FEATURES WERE JUST WHAT I WANTED THO CARRY AROUND MY GRANDCHILDREN (SAFETY, COMFORT, ROOMINESS AND ALL THE THINGS A WOMAN COULD ASK FOR.) AS A WOMAN OF OF THE TIMES (AND OUR OF THE BOX) YOU COULD NOT ASK FOR A VEHICLE WITH THE CLASS,QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND DESIGN OF MY EXTRA SPECIAL RENDEZVOUS. IT IS EASY TO HANDLE, DRIVES LIKE A DREAM AND I FEEL AND LOOK GOOD DRIVING IT. YOU WONT FIND AND USED ONES BECAUSE NO ONE WILL PART WITH THE ONE THEY OWN. THANK YOU.....JOYCE

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  BEST CAR I EVER OWNED - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By FRANK WERTH - October 14 - 10:00 am

  In the three years I have owned this suv it never had to go back to the dealer for any repairs, or problems. What else is there to say. First car I can say this about of the six new ones purchased over the years.

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  Glad I bought it! - 2004 Buick Century
  By J. Roy - October 14 - 2:00 am

  So far, its exceeded our expectations. Having traded a 1989 LeSab. Limited w/ over 150,000 miles on it and having no major problems, we figured wed keep the 1989 Park Ave. (over 84,000 trouble free miles) and go for the Century.

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  Excellent - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Hans Grasman - October 14 - 2:00 am

  My last 4 cars before the Buick Rendez Vous were Cadillac Deville. A real senior buyers car. I chose the Rendez Vous because of my active retired life style. I need to move sail boat stuff from Nashville to Charlotte Harbor Fl. for my seasonal vacations and transport my grandchildren in town. My grandchildren say that Opa drives a cool car! The car drives like a Cadillac Deville

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  Buick Regal - 1996 Buick Regal
  By Jadorf - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Excellent riding, handling, comfort qualities. Extremely good pickup very peppy. Excellent visibility. Best free-wheeling vehicle Ive ever owned.