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:

• 

  Rendezvous Review - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By BOwens55 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Nice vehicle. Good alternative to either regular SUV or minivan, however, having owned two minivans previously, I miss the extra room behind the 3rd seat. My Rendezvous has 3 seats, but hardly any storage room behind the 3rd one.

• 

  06 Terrazza with 3.9L V6 - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Dave - January 2 - 6:34 pm

  Weve had this Terrazza for just about a year now. Other than needing a new transmission in the first 5000km (!) it has been just fine. It is a well built and very comfortable van. We have driven it to Florida and back (22 hours) and it is just great, quiet on the road and the 3.9L V6 is outstanding, great mileage and excellent pick-up. Rear DVD player and wireless headphones are fantastic.

• 

  My Buick - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By 2006 LACROSSE CX - January 2 - 1:32 am

  This is my third Buick after 1996 Century and 2001 Century models. The 2001 was a vast improvement over the 1996 model but I feel the 2006 LaCrosse is not much better over my 2001. The handling and road ride is much better and improved on the 2006. The big difference I noticed is the standard options were reduced on the 2006. I thought in keeping up with the great Buick name that a safety option like heated mirrors would have been standard, also dual controlled heating and air would have remained for a standard option. A problem with my car is when I first start out and then turn my front tires/wheels make a sort of growling sound and then it goes away after Im moving.

• 

  Buick LaCrosse 2006 - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By LaCrosse CX - January 1 - 3:07 pm

  I enjoy my LaCrosse on the open road she gets good fuel mileage. Also very comfortable driving. No back problems with this one. Dont feel the bumps as much with this one. It is quiet inside. The coefficant drag is good in my opinion. Nice curves and good looks as well. I like the sound system you can adjust to differant types of music. good seating. Easy steering, good maintainability Not a lot of clutter under the hood. The engine could be much quieter than it is. Hope next model year this will improve. I hope for the Stabilitrac in future.

• 

  Great Van!! - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Chuck McCarter - December 29 - 5:43 pm

  My wife and I have 4 young children and this is our first mini van. We looked at the other vans but kept coming back to the Buick and are very pleased with it. We have the CXL with all the options the kids love it. The engine is the 3.9 and my wife and I love the performance, its more than we expected from a mini van. The van is quiet and the longer warranty is proof to me that GM products are as good as any.

• 

  Car review - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Randi - December 29 - 1:36 pm

  This car drives very smoothly over any bump in the road. Its great with gas. Turns very nicely, the brakes work great and it has great pick up.

• 

  Lexus Who? - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By 27 year old Fan - December 29 - 1:26 pm

  I spent a week in the Lucerne over the holidays. Two words: First-Class. The vehicle is large, but drives and feels like my mid-sized car. Smooth power all the way and car is so quiet that people on cellphone didnt realize I was calling from the car! The seats are so comfortable and supportive they feel like my overstuffed chair at home. Fit- and-Finish are superb. I stopped at a gas station and two total strangers commented to me on the looks of the car (both were over 40 however). My wife drives an 03 Lexus ES300. I use to refer to her car as the Smoothie Queen because its a very smooth comfortable ride. With this new Lucerne a new day has begun.

• 

  I like my Buick LaCrosse at 2,600 miles - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Wayne Knapp - December 28 - 8:31 pm

  Smooth riding auto, like a Buick should be. Floats a little, but not too much. Handles well but not like a Saab. My best gas mileage is about 27 mpg, is a little better if I do not use the cruise control. Probably drops 1-2 mpg on cruise control. Excellent braking and smooth shifting.

• 

  Good performance, interior lacking - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By rripberger - December 28 - 2:57 pm

  The 3.9 cyl V6 performs great and the vehicle handles nicely. It is a pleasure to drive. Air pump and electric outlet are nice. For the price you would think the interior could be better. There are no fewer than 3 rattles going at any time, road noise over 50mph is too loud. Second row leg room could be better and the second row seats are not designed to be removed (although they can be with a little ingenuity). The Phatnoise multi-media and DVD system are wonderful, however, you cannot control it from the front seat (while you are stopped of course), so for your 3-year-old you have to recline and twist your neck to reach the controls or get out and go to the back.

• 

  Love This Car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By JEFF IN TX - December 28 - 3:40 am

  I have only had the car for two weeks and absolutly love it. It has great comfort and plenty of power for me. I traded in a Lincoln town car and couldnt be happier. I would advise anyone to test drive this car if your looking for comfort and safety.