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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  New Buick - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By vt boy - December 7 - 4:54 am

  I replaced an E class Mercedes with a Buick Lucerne due to the poor reliability of the Mercedes. The Buick drives as well as the Mercedes with on road mileage almost as good. Only two features of the Buick bother me, the rather large turning circle, and the total lack of style of the rear of the car. Other than that, I am very satisfied with the car.

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  Great road car - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Fred Latshaw - December 7 - 4:16 am

  This is a great road car, fun to drive and very quiet inside. The seats are very comfortable. Not much left to wish for in a car of this price range. A lot of bang for your buck.

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  Act one and two.... - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Wendy otoole - December 6 - 3:26 pm

  You will be surprised by spaciouness in side. My 6 husband slides in with ease. Comfortable traveling for passenger and driver. Ive had back surgery and like sliding into a chair when i get into car. My 2nd encore and wasn t unhappy with the first. Only had such amazing deals for end of year 2016, that i traded up from a 2014 to a new premier 2016. I love this car. I call it my "whip about". Most of the time my seats down cause I am an antiquer and hauler of most anything. Just enough luxury mixed with simplicity with fun. I cant say anything bad. Ive had many cars and this is my all time fave! So this ain t the encore, but the 2nd act. I am sure will be a fan and purchasing for a lonoooong time.

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  The best SUV I ever drove, - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Julie Ferrara - December 5 - 8:49 pm

  I love this truck so much I look for things to buy, just to go out and drive it. My daughter loves it and so does everyone I know. I think that they will all go out and get one soon. I will definitely get another one when the lease is up. I hope they still make more. Love it to bits!

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  Wind noise! - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Tim House - December 5 - 6:35 pm

  My 2007 CX Buick has a lot of wind noise starting at 45 MPH. I have driven several, and all have some degree of noise, but mine is the worst. The fix is turn the radio on.

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  Great Vehicle--No more van! - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By BKnight - December 5 - 10:33 am

  I love my Rainier. I have the PGA Tour edition. The only drawback is the odd cup holder and storage situation, but otherwise I am very pleased. MPG average is 17-18 (I drive on country roads to work each day.) It gets 22- 24 on the highway. I had a loaded Honda Odyssey. Im so glad to be out of the van!

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  Better than I expected - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By jabutix - December 5 - 10:26 am

  The LaCrosse CXL is a real winner. It is quiet and fun to drive on the freeway and good and responsive at city driving. It has a very smooth suspension and quiet ride. I recently travelled with friends and at the end of the trip everyone commented on how rested they felt.

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By pleased - December 3 - 8:51 pm

  Great car. Only negative is torque. The pick up can take a second or two, but it can move. All the toys (remote starter, etc) I really enjoy it.

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  Thumper the vibrating Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By moonjoker - December 3 - 8:05 pm

  This car was in the showroom. I bought without driving. Big mistake. Took it back for a vibration problem in 2 weeks. Aligned it. 2nd time changed engine mounts. I was told to put 800 miles on before returning. 3rd visit they told me the car was to spec and that is just the way it drove. The service manager was very passive about my problem. 4th visit at my request the wheels were road forced balanced. Some correction was made but the car still vibrates. The service manager said that I might want to replace the tires with Michelins. 5th all the oil drained car towed. 6th the battery quit charging. The car is not safe to drive over 45mph. This car is junk.

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  Satisfied new owner - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By happy camper - December 2 - 6:46 am

  I found the Edmund reviews helpful in makeing my decision to buy the Buick. I really enjoy the Lucerne. In a town where most cars are high end cars fro Europe or Japan. I find the Lucerne a nice compromise. Price at year end $21000 loaded (half of what the European cars I looked at). 4yr /50000 mile warrtanty. Roomy and financially sound for a family, professional looking for work and stylish enough to not feel like Im driving a tank. For a large sedan with a V6 I find it handles well on the road and just enough power for the car. My car and others I test drove "all pull to the right" (as I read in other Edmund interviews) They are fixing it... said it had something to do with a tow bar?