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 Quality - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By LeSabre Owner - March 31 - 2:00 am

  This car has no rattles, no noise, no creaks. Its as quiet as my 98 Limited. Its great driving it. The suspension is perfect at 3000 miles. Its a Park Avenue at a lower price. Everything has been well-designed to work without anything negative to it: the cupholders are better than 98 LeSabre (front and back both now), the radio controls have real knobs for tuning and volume and theyre in steering wheel too. The auto temperature air conditioning works great, just like the other car.

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  excellent vehicle - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By john murdock - March 26 - 2:00 am

  this suv has plenty of power but is still easy on the gas. it is an awd vehicle but drives and has the comfort of a luxury car. it has just enough of a rugged look to it that it fits in well on the construction site but also cleans up for an evening out on the town.

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  BUICK-NOT YOUR GRANDPAS - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By SHANNONM - March 26 - 2:00 am

  SURPRISED BY SIZE. WAS ABLE TO FIT A DISHWASHER IN TRUCK WITH THE BOX!!!! THE DRIVE IS GREAT. IT HAS ALL THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT A BUICK THAT YOUR PARENTS LOVED, BUT WITH A WHOLE NEW SPIN THAT YOULL LOVE TOO.

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  Great First Experience - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By SPolson - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a first SUV purchase for me. The car handles well in the west texas, eastern new mexico winds. The fuel economy is better than I expected. The interior is beautiful, roomy and comfortable. I purchased this car not for off road ability but for convience of having a cargo area, easy to access and still have stylish looks. I am a single woman and need the cargo area for things like plants, moving smaller antiques and light hauling. The appearance is classy and not that of a pickup. I can still attend the plays and opera in class on Friday and haul fertilizer on Saturday. I love my car!

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  1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate Ltd - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By DonD - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Perfect car to help with transporting all family needs during the upbringing- of-kids age. This is the fifth GM wagon we have had and we dont know how we would have been without it. It served for all of the carrying kids days, through the taking everything-to- college days...including taking everything from Virginia to Colorado several times. We have been most impressed with its capacity and power-when-needed (5.9 ltr engine). Sad to see that GM discontinued this line.

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  the best - 1999 Buick Riviera
  By juanita - March 21 - 2:00 am

  This is by far tha best car i have ever owned. I have had it for about 4 years now and have never had one problem with it.

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  My Riv - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By duedetroyer - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used and have really loved it. Fun to drive, comfortable, handles well except when the tires are flat and you try to get out of the median after being run off the road. But it still went.

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  My favorite car. - 1999 Buick Regal
  By lady alexis - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great driving car. Car handles well in most driving and weather situations. Since Aug of 1999 I have driven nearly 80,000 miles. I have had no repairs other than normal wear. Both interior and exterior have held up well to the wear and the road conditions. In the winter they salt and sand the roads when it snows, no major damage has been the result.

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  Road Warrior Loves his Lesabre - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By marlin72 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  If you put 25,000 miles a year on a car as I do,you want comfort to be foremost. I dont drive through the Apps at 100 mph. I do drive 250 miles a day sometimes and want reliability,comfort,safty and good gas mileage. It never cease to amaze me,why anyone would use a Honda as a road car. The facts are the Lesabre gets 30 mpg on the highway at 75 mph and I have a average of 26.5 mpg since the car was bought. This is my 3rd Lesabre and I usually trade at about 140,000 miles. My last Lesabre over a five year period cost me $1300.00 in maintance. This included tires,oil changes and all other service. This car is a great value and a well keep secret. .

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  My Experience - 1998 Buick Regal
  By dollyhaus - March 13 - 2:00 am

  My experience has revealed the reliability of the vehicle has been excellent and feel it is due to the quality of the workmanship. It is economical to drive. Have found it to be a very comfortable auto for traveling on the highway. Only wish they would modify the exterior somewhat. Getting ready to purchase a 2003 model but wish the colors were not so blah...need more color!