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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  Been great, great motor & mileage - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Gary V - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car at auction with 119000 miles. Had this motor in GM vehicles before, love it. Car now has 192000 on it, motor runs like new, average over 25mpg combined not trying! Bad window motors but replacements avail for under $50 if DIYS. Comfortable, plenty of pep,auto everything, next car will be a Park Ave with same drivetrain if this car ever stops, no signs of that happening yet. Air ride system in rear leaked and pricy to fix, replaced with air shock kit, still rides great. AC still ice cold. great car, just style associated with older generation. Recommend to anyone who asks. Hope the 3.8 V6 continues to be utilized, I am a fan.

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  For Fair Weather only! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By EAS - October 27 - 2:00 am

  If you live in an area that has rain and/or snow - please reconsider purchasing a 2008 Enclave. This car is terrible on wet roads. All else seems to be fairly good no other issues.

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  Love it...but caveats! - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By Paul W. - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought the CXL w/ 3.6L. Absolutely beautiful exterior. Very smooth and quiet ride. Steering is appropriately responsive. Only 400 miles so far. Brakes very responsive. Really like the LED taillights. Visibility is compromised by side pillars and rear view is small due to awkward angle of trunk. "mood" lighting is nice to have, but does reflect off windshield which can be safety hazard. Leather is high quality. Little to no storage in interior is a bummer. Oversized sunroof is a nice feature, especially for the kids. Bluetooth feature is great for handsfree phone calls (safety)! Stock stereo leaves something to be desired. At $35K sticker should have quality stereo. Dual A/C is GREAT!

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  Great ride and quick - 1994 Buick Roadmaster
  By Chuck Thomas - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car from a mechanic. He took great care of it. I bought it about 9 mos. ago with 150k now I have 165k on it and no problems at all. The car has the Corvette LT-1 engine. It pulls the heavy car easily with great acceleration. Handleing is fine and brakeing is very good. Sitting in the car in front or back reminds you of sitting at home in your living room. The gripes I have, better gas milage, car is not good on wet roads, some of the rubber gaskets around doors tend to peel off, other than that no problem. If you want a heavy, comfortable fast car, this is the one. Like the cars of years back when gas was cheap and cars were made with plenty of steel.Nicecar to own

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  terror on the road - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By terror on the road - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I started having problems a week ago with the check engine light coming on. I took it to the buick daler here in selma, they found no problem. I was advised to go to larry puckett in prattville. I live about 50mins. from prattville.Anyway, halfway there my truck caught on fire from behind,which I was unaware of until I heard a noise like a blown out tire. To my surprise,when I got out with my teenager daughter and a set of twins the rear of the truck was on fire.By te time I picked up the kids and ran, the entire rainier was engulfed in flames.The fire was so intense it consumed the entire under carrage,air stablizer,the complete motor,the stepping bar,and two tires, it could have exploxed

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  GM got it right with this one. - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By M B - October 13 - 2:00 am

  This car used to be my moms but was recently passed down to me for College - free of charge. Our lesabre has been excellent to our family, giving us little problems through the years and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. The V6 engine is powerful enough to get us from a to b smoothly and effortlessly, but the gas mileage could be better. For people considering this car: go for it. ours is now over 10 years old and has 93k miles on it. I know it seems like a car the elderly drive, but youre getting your moneys worth. This car has depreciated in value a ton, but its not because of the quality.

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  Love My Car! - 2003 Buick Century
  By suzannefanning - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! I have owned and driven two 1995 Buick LeSabres and I actually like my little Century better! I get 30 mpg and drive 50 miles round trip each day to work. The car handles like a dream and even my teenage daughter says she looks like a classy lady!

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  Loved mostly - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Denise - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Before the grandchildren, this was a perfect vehicle for me, my adult children, and labs. However, now there are two infants that need to have car seats rear-facing leaving no leg room for any other seat as it requires the seat in front of it to be shoved all the way forward. In all other regards, this has been a joy of a vehicle.

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  Buick LaSabre LTD - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Chuck - September 25 - 2:00 am

  My 2004 Buick LaSabre LTD is a nice car overall. It has a very nice ride and very good gas mileage (29-31 MPG Highway). My biggest complaint are the split-bench leather seats. After 2 to 2.5 hours in the seat your rear end gets mighty sore. You wouldnt think so when you first sit down on the seat as it is well padded. I had trouble with the dual climate control system. The drivers side quit working and was cycling hot air-cold air-hot air, etc. The car drives nice going straight but very poor at any kind of spirited handling. I find the car rather boring to drive but my wife likes it as it is really her car to drive. The LaSabre is a well equipped car with power everything.

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  Buick Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By donald longest - September 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle. The only things to improve is the small rear window and needs more Hp