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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  BUICK LS BY RDB - 1999 Buick Regal
  By reddog - October 10 - 2:00 am

  WE WERE OUT TO BUY A TOYOTA CAMRY OR A HONDA CRV. THE DEALER HAD THIS BUICK IN THE USED LOT AND ASKED IF WE WERE INTERESTED WE WERE. DROVE IT AND LOVED IT.I AM 6FT 3INCHES 260 POUND MAN IT FITS ME LIKE A GLOVE.FUEL MILEAGE HAS BEEN 24-25MPG COMBINED MOSTLY IN TOWN.

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  Great Little SUV - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Mike P. - October 6 - 4:02 pm

  Recently purchased this vehicle. Traded in a Honda. Was looking for something that was relatively fun, stylish, and comfortable. The Encore fits the bill perfectly. Some people have mentioned the power as a negative. I find it to be more than acceptable. Have not experienced a problems with it. The inside is made up of generally high quality materials. The vehicle is extremely quiet under all circumstances. I highly recommend it. Before buying, I test drove the following. Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and Jeep Renegade. After doing that, it was very easy to buy the Encore.

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  love this car - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Buick Lover - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have always been a Buick fan and now this vehicle is perfect. I love it. For me it gives me everything I could want in a vehicle.

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  Buick Regal - 1995 Buick Regal
  By jepp5 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Best car you can buy for the money!

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  From Rent to Own - 2002 Buick Century
  By KofGeorgia - September 29 - 2:00 am

  I rented one of these old fashioned beauties and decided then and there that I wanted to own one. So far, my 2002 Century has never let me down, either on city and local roads or on interstate highways. It rides like a Buick, handles tightly, and is completely user friendly. One wonders why the folks at General Motors dont put the same conveniences into their LeSabre. For me, Ill stick with my Century. Great car!

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  Riviera Review - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By silverrobins - September 28 - 2:00 am

  One of the finest automobiles I have owned and I have owned plenty! Only wish I could purchase a new on just like it. GM should never have changed/discontinued this model.

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  A very reliable car - 1998 Buick Century
  By kjmilton - September 28 - 2:00 am

  It is considered an average car-and I bought it because of good price withuot high expectation on performance. But after 5 years there had been nothing wrong whatsoever, and it has very reasonable performance with an excellent GM 3.1L engine- enough power for a mid-size car. The ride is very comfortable, even more so on the back seat. With all attention on Honda/Toyota, I really think this Buick is second to none in quality.

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  buick beats honda - 2002 Buick Century
  By oldtimer - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Nice comfortable car to drive.

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  Great Car - 2000 Buick Century
  By N Hogge - September 26 - 2:00 am

  This car has a great ride and the gas mileage is even better. The 3.1 v-6 is the best engine on the market.

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  Ralph - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Cschutz - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This is truly an amazing vehicle. Foreign car makers should really be worried. This is a big car-I am 6 and 200 lbs, and am the smallest guy on our 5 man football officiating crew, yet we all fit and 5 duffel bags fit in the trunk. The handling is marvelous, especially given the pedigree. Just try to lose me at any speed less than 100 mph in any other sedan. And the milage, oh the fuel milage.On a trip to Jackson,WY, my wife averaged 38 mpg, this on a trip where the elvation was never less than 6200 and the speed limit is 65. I am a little(ok a lot) heavier with my foot, but can still average better than 32 mpg. Absolutely ridiculous for a car this big.