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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  Keep the windows up - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By 01-20-2013 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Nice motor. good design but the window regulators cast a dark shadow on the overall experience. They are costly to replace but can be had on Ebay for a fraction of the cost. Loaded with comfort options and lets not underscore the exceptional mpg. 35mpg on a 400 mile trip isnt unheard of.

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  complaint - 2010 Buick Lucerne
  By JIM - September 8 - 12:57 pm

  I get a wind noise (whistle) from drivers window. Dealer said it was design of outside mirror and cant do anything about it. Noise from engine is caused from fuel injectors according to dealer. Drives me nuts!!!! I love the car except for these two items and Im stuck with buying a brand new car with bugs they wont fix.

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  1 Month Owner - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By GM/Toyota Fan - September 4 - 3:22 pm

  Great looking car that caught our attention. We have been Avalon owners for a while but the latest new model is not much different. Most of the comments online here are spot on about the LaCrosse (especially the negative items). Gas mileage a lot less than Toyota, interior and trunk is more limited than the Avalon. Exterior visablity is on the poor side (lots of blind spots). We target vehicles with a quite ride and this car provides it. Dont know about liability, but it is like my suburban it should be ok. We are very happy with the vehicle and cant really complain about the negatives because we knew about them going buy the car. Thanks to Edmunds and those that posted reviews.

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  Just an OK car - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By justavet - August 25 - 2:21 pm

  Well I finally got to test drive the Buick Lacross that has gotten Rave reviews by the press and magazine authors.First look around I was surprized to see the paint on the rear bumper and gas door didnt match the rest of the car it was a really bad paint match,then on the test drive there was a bad rattle in the rear right corner panel that didnt go away then there was no place to rest your left foot then there was the problem of the gas pedal and the brake pedal being to close together and my shoe was always hitting the brake pedal instead of the gas pedal.When I did manage to get my size 13 shoe on the gas pedal it would glance off the brake pedal when I let off the gas to apply the brake

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  Must have bought the right one! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jon - August 22 - 2:30 pm

  Purchased from a processional 1 owner couple @93k Fully loaded with tow package which was never used until me. I haul my lawn mower and a ton of pellets in Maine hills and windy roads. Only repairs where new brake pads and rotors. and rear self adjusting shocks which cost me $600 installed at a gm dealer. Much nicer then my Jeep grand Cherokee and Chevy Blazer and way nicer then any explorer ever made! gas mileage isnt bad about 18-22 cd player 6 disc didnt work when I purchased it. Time for a new odyssey though hope it sells fast it should the condition is nice and it has all the whistles. i am going to miss the heads up and heated seats!

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  Window mechanism = hidden warranty - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Budster McMitchell - August 19 - 12:43 pm

  2 of my window regulators went bad while still under warranty. The last one was not covered, $750.00 with labor. I read where lots of others with 2002 LeSabre had same problems with crap window regulators. This is obviously a hidden warranty, should be recalled, but it wasnt. For sure i will not buy another GM product for rest of my life. It is comfortable for my frame at 64" and 300 lbs and has never left me stranded, but the window regulators is a future deal killer as far as GM goes. Im hoping my 4th window doesnt go as well..Another $750.00 ? The faux wood panels in the dash are horrific too.

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  Very Pretty Car - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By John - August 10 - 1:45 pm

  A very pretty car=but should not have bought it. Have 3000 miles. It has a very nice, quiet ride. Gas mileage is about as advertised. But significant design issues. Driver position is cramped, the center console storage and cup holder area is too far rearward. There is no real area to store coins, toll passes etc. Dangerous lack of space for gas pedal- right up against the console carpet- sometimes catch foot on brake pedal when letting off the gas. Worse yet, and I have no excuse since I knew it, the trunk is horrendously small. Thought the fully foldable back seat would counter-but it is an extreme irritant. Have to pull driver out of golf bag to store. (Continued below since ran out of room

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  Stogie, but American and Great buy - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By comfortable reliable - August 10 - 1:14 pm

  Paid $15,000 in 2000. Replaced transmission at 252,000. Now has 310,000. Yep!310,000 miles on engine that has had one ignition coil and two sets of plugs and plug wires. Just made a 500 mile round trip to NC mountains and MPG was 32.8. I double checked it twice. It is not unusual to top 30 MPG on trips. Bad mouth it all you want and I will smile and wave as I go buy at 70 MPH and 30+ MPG.Most reliable car I have ever Had.

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  Never thought I would Drive a Buick - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By JTKC - July 31 - 5:16 pm

  I have purchased a Carbon Black with Tan perforated leather interior--I love the look. The car has sufficient pickup, though no sports car, it is perfect for my use driving significant highway miles. I have read some do not like some ergonomic aspects, however I have found the car to be very intuitive to use all functions from the cruise, menus, climate control, bluetooth--all very easy to use. I did upgrade to the perforated leather that is heated and cooled--GREAT feature. I also have the back window shade, again a great feature during these warm summer days. interior room for passengers is exceptional as there is ample legroom front and back with ease of entry and exit.

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  For the long haul - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jom - July 29 - 4:09 am

  A traveling salesman, I traded in a 6 year old V6 Camry with 300,000 miles. I consume a car and never thought to drive something this nice. After 3 weeks and 3,000 miles, I cant wait for another day in this car. All cars have some issues, but this car is the best GM product I have ever driven. I bought the low end CXL, but it has everything I needed. Comfort and ride are exceptional, quietness is a joy. Reliability is still unknown, but highway miles are usually good for a car. I find the bluetooth actually works, the smaller stereo is just fine, and the interior lighting very relaxing. I can see where backup assistance could be valuable. It costs one more tank of gas a month than the Camry.