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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  Great car, bad paint - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By aastephens - January 13 - 5:00 pm

  Of course it has the Buick smooth ride, getting on the freeway is far easier then expected. Even acceleration for passing is strong. Plenty of room for our 2 young children. Nice large trunk, and it gets great gas mileage.

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  My new LuCerne - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Repeat Buick owner - January 12 - 4:21 pm

  Have had three previous Buicks. This one is really good, but not a good as the old Park Ave or LeSabre. Not enough head room and the seats are not as wide. The rear vision is not as good. Back seat and trunk are very roomy.

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  Wouldnt You rather drive a buick! - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Joseph - January 12 - 12:16 pm

  I purchased my Rainier 12/06. Have driven it about 600 miles so far. Love it! I wish I had gotten it alot sooner. I have driven, and was willing to buy the new 06 Explorer, but after driving it and deciding it wasnt all what they said, I decided to try a Pathfinder. Too expensive. So I decided to try a TrailBlazer, Envoy and such. Drove the Buick and was sold! I love the power, quietness, options and such. Explorer comes with one power-point, where Buick has three. Also if you go to U-haul they wont rent you a trailer if you have a Explorer. Enough said about the tranny.

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  Awesome change - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By LaxMom - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Believe it or not, I traded a Lincoln Navigator to purchase this car. I needed better gas mileage and a shorter car to fit in parking garages. I also wanted an SUV because I didnt want a minivan. I test drove EVERY SUV on the market, and chose the Buick RDV. I LOVE this car. I love the interior comfort, the third row seats, and the size of the vehicle. It fits Lacrosse Sticks for 3 kids which was a "must". The pickup is good on the highway, and the gas mileage is a great improvement from what I was used to. I would recommend this car to anyone!!!

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  The Worst Buick Ever - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By buickman1 - January 10 - 1:14 pm

  I replaced a 2004 Park Avenue with a 2007 Lucerne, big mistake! The Lucerne is far smaller than a Park Avenue. The interior is a joke! It is so cheaply done, as soon as you sit in it for a month you begin to feel like your setting in a Kia. Buick made their first mistake back in 1996 when they dropped the Roadmaster and now they have really gone looney by dropping the Park Avenue! The interior room in the Lucerne is so small, I felt like I was in a circus car and clowns should have been in there with me. Go with a Lincoln Town Car! The Lucerne is a big mistake, treat yourself with a true luxury car: go with the Lincoln Town Car!

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  Buick Rendezvous 2002 model - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jacqueline Johnson - January 10 - 11:40 am

  Needs better gas mileage. When they make the tailgate door automatic, I will purchase another Rendezvous. Still waiting for that to happen. They havent changed anything about this SUV since its inception.

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  Awesome car - 1996 Buick Regal
  By none - January 9 - 4:24 pm

  We bought a 1996 Buick Regal for $3000 with only 62,500 miles on it. It is the smoothest car out of our 2 other cars. The engine is a tiny bit loud, but that is because of the age. The sound of the radio of 100x better than our other Buick. Sound quality is superb! I feel very comfortable in this car going 80mph. Although this car is 10 years old, the quality is still superb.

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  Buick Surprise - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Dennis - January 9 - 2:34 pm

  Buick Lucerne CXL was the best quality and greatest value. I drove the Cadillacs, Acura TL, Chrysler 300, both Toyota sedans and even the Azera. This sedan is loaded with extras, provides great fit and finish and is truely and luxury car! I researched every car and read the reviews but I think if the car is not an import the published reviews are not as good. I now belive the car press is not open minded about the American made cars! This sedan is worth a drive and you will be surprised at the quality and features.

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  Proud Owner - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By Al - January 8 - 7:58 pm

  I bought this 92 LeSabre brand new. I still own the car today because it seems to be the vehicle we always depend on although many new ones have been purchased since then. The car has almost 300 thousand miles on it now and is still as dependable as the day we bought it. We keep the oil changed every 3000 mile and other than shocks, have replaced nothing on it. It is still original.

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  2006 Buick Lucerne Great Car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By ronmckean - January 8 - 12:24 pm

  The Lucerne is a great value. Ride, performance and build quality is excellent. It is a joy to drive.