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 car every year - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By fritz wackernagel - December 1 - 1:41 pm

  A quiet cushioned ride. The best Buick ride ever. Ample power, 24mpg city, and quality build make me a proud owner

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  Worst Vehicle I Have Ever Owned - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By John Ashton - November 30 - 12:05 am

  This is only the second GM vehicle I have ever owned - and the last. The first GM vehicle I owned was a Chevrolet Vega back in the 1970s - enough said - and incredibly, the Rendezvous is even worse! Engine, transmission, AWD drive train, climate control, you name it. I thought in the three decades plus since the Vega, they would have learned how to build cars no such luck.

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  World Class Crossover - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Steve S - November 29 - 11:10 pm

  The Enclave is without a doubt the best crossover on the market. Styling is second to none. The fit and finish is excellent. The car rides so smooth and is extremely quiet inside. Third row seats work great. This is a great alternative to the minivan. Safety features are great for a family vehicle. An overall quality Auto. Best car I ever owned.

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  Buick Rendezvous - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By duke28 - November 29 - 9:32 am

  I love the visibility from both sides and behind in this vehicle. The doors open wide enough for a handicap person. Its a comfortable car and easy to handle. We live in the mts and have no trouble getting around, we have front wheel drive. However, my gas mileagel isnt always the best in the mts. but I will not complain.......

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  Great car GM - 2005 Buick Century
  By Bill - November 29 - 7:55 am

  My wife has had two, 2003 and 2005. She uses it on her mail route and after she is done she runs the kids from practice to practice, Dr. appointments. Thanks GM for engineering a great product.

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  A Second Buick Owner - 1995 Buick Regal
  By Carl Allen - November 28 - 8:19 pm

  I bought this car with 56,364 miles. It drives and performs well. Everything under the hood is clean. The outside is clean also. Im very impreseed with this car. The gas mileage could be better.

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  Great SUV - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Charles Keeler - November 28 - 11:22 am

  We have owned a Jimmy and 2 Bravadas and the Buick Rendezvous is by far the best SUV we have ever driven. The "heads up" display should be an industry standard. This is an excellent vehicle.

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  Interesting Van - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Brian - November 28 - 8:38 am

  We had a few problems when we purchased the vehicle, but GM fixed them all and gave a replacement vehicle to drive. After all the issues were resolved, there still are a few annoying squeaks coming from the CD/radio panel. It needs a little more attention to the interior sound detail. A little disappointing to the Buick line. Overall, its been fun to drive. Though the cruise control does not work very well either. GM is still working on this issue. It carries the family well to get togethers and the DVD player works very good. It certainly is an upgrade from the Pontiac Montana we drove around.

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  Lucerne - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Brian - November 28 - 8:03 am

  I just purchased the Lucerne and it is a great car. I test drove all the different models and the CXS is not even comparible to the others. Its drive far surpasses the lower models and drives like a dream. The V-8 is not going to beat up the muscle cars, but its not supposted to either. It is very smooth and runs great.

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  Some Disappointments - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By James Charnock - November 27 - 11:13 pm

  Worst thing about the SUV are headrests: 6" back from ones head. For safety it should be 2" or less. I had to add neck pillows to compensate. Gas mileage closer to 15 than 19 for city. No vinyl protection available for top of back bumper so the bumpers are too subject to dings by others. Cross bars not very strong and no vinyl stripes on roof top to keep cargo bag from scratching surface. Like the wideness and shortness of the vehicle (for short garages)--4x8 sheets fit in without riding on the wheel wells--good handyman vehicle, especially with removable 2nd seats. Pulldown hatch strap has broken twice in one year. Poorly designed. Seat and height comfortable. Very hot days tax AC. Very cold tax heater