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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  Road Master Estate wagon - 1994 Buick Roadmaster
  By jas 1 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful ride and power...very comfortable in town and out on the highway....all kind of wather, and any number of passengers and luggage...fantastic

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  Owner and chief operator - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Jan L. Jacobs - May 14 - 2:00 am

  A Lot of wind noise when at speed over 50 mph Tough to read speed when Streeing wheel is in low position. Could use storage space on back of seats

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  Next Generation Buick - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By RON MOSLEY - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven Cadillacs, Park Avenues, Grand Prixs, Lincolns and others. This is the best of the best. All I have to do is get in and steer, it pretty much does everything else. It sets my seat, turns to my favority radio channel, turns on the lights when needed, turns on the wipers when needed, the radio automatically increases the volumn as your highway speed increases to adjust for any slight increase in noise level due to engine speed etc. What more do I need. The v-8 engine is amazing, far surperior to the v-6. I may not get 28 mpgs, but 25 mpgs with this better preformance is worth it. For those who want a luxury car without the luxury price, look at the BUICK LUCERNE.

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  What an amazing vehicle!! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By LAUGH1969 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I narrowed my search down to the GMC Envoy SLT, and the Rainier. I decided to go with the Rainier, and I am so glad I did. It is so much more luxurious, comfortable, classier, and sooooo much quieter then the Envoy. Buick did an outstanding job, I would recommend anybody that is in the market for a "Refined Utility Vehicle", as Buick calls it, to defiently look at the Rainier. My wife owns a Buick Rendezvous, both of Buicks trucks are so much nicer then the competition. To me, and to others who drive it, will see how it is a smaller, five passenger version of a Cadillac Escalade.

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  FINALLY GM BUILT A REAL CAR - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By JOHND - May 12 - 12:46 pm

  i have been in the car business buying and selling for 40 years and i have never driven a domestic car like the buick cxs lacrosse,unbelievable our country has finally built a real car and its aforadable,especially compared to the imports in the same class,everything about it is right,mine list for 39 with all the gingerbread im glad i gave this car a chance before i bought another lexus.

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  99 Park Avenue - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By R Bishop - May 12 - 2:36 am

  I just wanted to say that GM Corp screwed up when they stopped producing this beautiful road car! There is no car in my opinion that compares with this ride and stability that the Park offers. I have driven the new Lucerne and was in fact, disappointed! Wake up GM. Dont force me to purchase a "foreign car"

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  Glad I bought it. - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Granite - May 12 - 2:00 am

  So far the all around performance it OK.

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  1987 Buick Reatta - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By J.Uzell - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this auto with 65,000 miles. I have given it normal maintence and never had a problem. If possible I would purchase an other one just like it. However, with this many miles I think I must look for a new one and put this away as a toy.

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  Why bother to replace it? - 1998 Buick Century
  By Brooklyn teacher - May 10 - 2:00 am

  First new car that I, not my husband, have purchased. Best car our family has ever owned: worry free, GREAT mileage, great acceleration for a non- sports car. Only now, after five years have we needed to repair/replace anything: tires, serpentine belt. Since you cant easily tell a 98 from a 2003, why would anyone want/need to buy a newer version. Kudos to GM.

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  best vehicle - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By chuck schoolet - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Overall this is the best vehicle most reliable car I have owned. The reliability is fantastic. We have often travelled with 4 adults and 2 pre teen girls and was comfortable in doing so. There have been no repairs other than tires, brakes etc.. 28 to 34 miles per gallon on two trips to Colorado!