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 excellence - 1994 Buick Regal
  By josha - March 1 - 7:48 pm

  My car has over 294000 miles and runs like new. It needs some interior work on the seats(leather) and some shocks but this car is too nice to sell. In ten years the GS will be worth something toa Buick enthusiast.

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  2006 Rendezvous - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Brian - March 1 - 1:54 pm

  Very nice vehicle! I traded in a Chevy Trailblazer for the Buick to improve fuel economy and have been pleasantly suprised on how much cargo space this vehicle has! The vehicle has great power around town and the high seating position offers great visability for driving. The fit and finish on the vehicle is very good but I am very disappointed about the lack of space for tall drivers. I am 64 and although there is sufficient headroom, the legroom is much less than the Trailblazer and the drivers side door sticks to far in and hits my left leg. I also hit the parking brake with my leg as I enter and exit the vehicle. What I would give for a split bench seat!

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  Initial impressions - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By John - February 26 - 4:59 pm

  This car had some vibration when new but cleared up in a few days. Very nice car. Highway trip fuel economy not fully tested yet. Not powerful but entirely adequate.

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  2007 Buick Lucerne, great car, fair name - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Jeff - February 25 - 11:43 am

  Buick is back. I own a 2007 Lucerne CXS and with the Northstar v-8 and the magnetic ride suspension, it rides and handles better that the Lexus I had, and is quieter too. Mileage with the V- 8 is around 20 mpg for me with a combo of intown and highway driving. On the road doing 80 I get around 24..in town around 18. No creaks or squeaks yet, this is the most solid feeling car Ive ever owned.

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  Spare Tire and Jack - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By bob kambic - February 25 - 11:43 am

  The spare tire is impossible to put back once taken from under the auto. The spare hangs by a crank cable system similar to other GM SUVs. However, directly under the spare is both a suspension strut and a part of the frame. So the tire is in a small keyhole. I used the spare and could not get it back into the keyhole. My neighbor and I by laying on the ground under the car were able to push and pull the spare back into the key hole. They should make every GM engineer who designed this do it every day.

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  A piece of Junk - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By KimmyO - February 24 - 7:47 pm

  In the one year I have owned this lemon it has continually been in the shop. First, my best mileage is only about 12.5-13.5 mpg, no matter if I am driving around town or on the highway. Dealership says nothing is wrong and nothing they can do. Now, lets talk about the problems with this piecd of junk. The left front struts had to be replaced in the first three months. Gears in the steering mechanism were replaced in month 4. In the 6th month, the transmission went out. Month 9, the power steering unit had to be replaced. I am not a bad driver nor drive in a reckless manner. I am a 65 year old lady who does not know where to turn.

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  Neat car needs help - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Brian Luedke - February 24 - 1:53 pm

  This could really be a hit for GM, but the engine problems that have affected it are not going to help. I have been having a pinging noise with the V-8. GM acknowledged there is a problem with this engine. Yet they continue to sell it. It did not make the noise when purchased, it started at about 1,000 miles. GM indicated this usually happens around 20K miles. Interesting to find out when they wanted my money they did not bother to tell me about potential problems. Now that they have my money they will only give me that they are working on the problem. Im not satisfied with their answer. Knowing they had a problem, the option should have been pulled. Poor development by GM.

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  Unbelievably Unsafe - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Shocked - February 24 - 9:50 am

  We were absolutely shocked to learn that this vehicle is the only GM vehicle (including all other Buick models) that includes rear seat seatbelts that do not "lock" unless or until it becomes necessary. Subsequently, small children have the ability to "hang" and "dangle" from the seatbelts. Should the seatbelts reliably "lock" when needed (not proven), children are at risk for severe injury if they are not sitting upright or if the belt literally "snaps" them backwards. Utterly ridiculous and absolutely unsafe for children. We returned our vehicle within days of taking delivery. All research indicates that even the slightest slack in the belt increases substantially the risk of head/neck injury

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  Worst car I have ever owned - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Davidson Man - February 23 - 10:09 am

  I bought this car because I thought that it would last a long time. Boy was I wrong. I bought the car used at a GM dealer and it had about 16,000 miles on it. I started to have isues with the transmission just before the warranty ran out (36000) miles. To make a long story short I replaced a transmission solenoid, rack and pinion steering, and fuel pump at my expense (at various times after the warranty ran out). The headlights started getting hazey at about 60,000 miles by the time I sold the car they were almost opaque. The power rear window regulator went bad and it was going to cost $328 to buy the part. No wonder GM is in such bad shape, I wont be buying any more GM cars.

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  Wonderful Commute - 2001 Buick Century
  By Tek - February 23 - 8:23 am

  I commute 1 hour each way to work 22 days a month and the ride is a pleasure! I have long legs and there is plenty of room for them and the seating is perfect for my back. I bought this car used for the price, ride and space especially for the commute and I was pleasantly surprised to get 30 MPG to boot! I have a family of 4 with 2 young kids and the the comfort is amazing. The only issue I have is the extended life coolant system which I flushed after 60000. I have never owned a Buick but this car has me looking for another one.