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:

• 

  Never buy this junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By harminder.s.baidwan - April 7 - 2:13 pm

  I was the fan and proud to use GM vehicles, but now I will never buy or recommend to buy GM. Can you believe transmission problem at 63,000K.One problem after the another. Tapping noise in the morning and the dealer says it is normal. Does not have enough power. Going on the hill looks likes 4 cylinder car will do better. Bad mileage. Noise from the front wheel, had to replace both bearings. Back latch recall. It should be discontinued. I should have listen to my friend and bought some Japenese car instead. I will never recommend this junk to anybody.

• 

  2004 not what I read in research - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By notagain - April 6 - 1:34 pm

  I am not the first to experience this and only with this car, but around 60,000 miles the bearings go. Starts off not bad, then gets increasingly annoying. Then the O2 sensors both go and fuel injection not doing well around 90,000. My avg. mileage mostly hywy during the spring and fall around 20. Winter and Summer 18 maybe a little worse, not anywhere close to 24. Also makes a lot of wind noise when wind is hitting from passanger side of car. I do like the interior space and fact that seats are like van seats and can be taken out.

• 

  Buick LaCrosse is a real winner - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jim S. - April 5 - 7:57 pm

  The Buick LaCross is the best car Buick has made, I believe. The front looks beautiful, the car is very quiet, the steering is tight, it has a real comfortable ride and cushions, the heater is outstandingly quick to warm up, the base 3.8L engine is very responsive when you tromp it, and I love OnStar hands free calling. This is the most luxury I have seen for the price. Headrests are too large, but they fixed that in later years models. This is the first Buick I have ever owned, and I would buy another LaCross in a heartbeat. I have never heard of a recall on this car, which puts Toyotas and Hondas to shame, in a quality comparison.

• 

  Buy That Warranty! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By drewsmyboy - April 5 - 6:01 pm

  This seemed to be a great vehicle and I thought it was pretty well built. We had the standard air conditioner cracks (warranty) and the drivers lumbar knob has broken off three times, but it wasnt until after the warranty ran out that we got to experience the head and intake gaskets (as everyone else seems to have also experienced). The extended warranty (thank God I bought it) sent an inspector to the dealership to ensure there was no fraud with all the problems I was charging to them. The dealership even started paying my extended warranty deductible! I will never buy a GM automobile again. This is a good vehicle for about 2 years and then you are in trouble.

• 

  Buick has done it again. - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By dccaptnc - April 5 - 11:23 am

  I have just purshased this vehicle. It gives the most quiet ride I have had in any automobile I have owned. It provides ample room inside.

• 

  97 Park Avenue Ultra - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By topnotch36580 - April 4 - 10:33 pm

  This has been a very reliable car and is very comfortable to drive and is user friendly.

• 

  Very Pleased - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jeannie - April 3 - 1:09 pm

  I have been in the car business for many years. I have yet to find a car that handles this well or rides as quiet at the LaCrosse. Happy with gas consumption as well. If youre looking for a great, roomy ride in this car class, you just have to drive one.

• 

  A Complete Road Car - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By meyk - April 3 - 2:00 am

  just a nice automobile. Good road car,plenty of zip, very little road noise, except for some tire noise which can be bothersome.

• 

  A car that appreciates in value - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By safatacos - April 2 - 2:45 pm

  I can only say that this vehicle will go up in value with age. Unlike many others. A true collectors item. Most people that have them tend to hold on to them. It took me 5 years to find the perfect stock gold edition Riviera I am now driving.

• 

  Best Buick Yet - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By wildfirebuick - April 2 - 11:04 am

  This is the fifth Buick I have owned and is by far the best assembled. The ride is firmer than other Buicks I have had and it makes driving more fun.