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 deals to be had on this car. - 2004 Buick Century
  By masonjar - January 29 - 12:37 pm

  Just recently purchased a 2004 Century with 79,000Kms in absolutely mint condition. Nice Metallic Augusta Green paint job with not one blemish. Wasnt on my radar at all until I read in Consumer reports that it had fantastic reliability and could be had for cheaper than comparable Japanese models. I dont see it as an "Old Man" car...the styling is sharp and I mistook an older Lexus for one the other day. Very Very happy with the car..lots of power..nice smooth ride over rough road surfaces. Thinking a nice set of Rims and a better set of tires would really kick it up a notch and I will have a car that will turn heads and last me for years.

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  VERY GOOD DEAL FOR THE $$$$$$$$$$$ - 2011 Buick Regal
  By weldridge - January 6 - 11:22 am

  Forget all the hype your read about horsepower/performance. This car delivers good all around power. you certainly can get a speeding ticket. Use common sense when passing. Fit/finish is good. Dealer discounted--you can get a deal.sed manual shift to pass on the interstate--No problem. (Just use common sense when passing)

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  Best Family Car ever owned - 1995 Buick Regal
  By beckasalls - January 4 - 7:09 pm

  My husband and i have a Buick Regal Custom 1995 his father helped us purchase the vehicle it had 82000 on it and bought it for 1400. We have had to do minor work on it like, transmission line, brakes, struts, fuel pump, and ball joints. We got the car November 2007, we have also taken it on a road trip to North Carolina, Mississippi, back to North Carolina, then back to our home state vermont. Thats 3281 miles and at one point during the trip we got 450 miles to the tank (3.8L) before the low light kicked on. It was great. The car is still running great and i love the ride of this car and the gas milage. At the moment we have 133600 on it and plan to hit the 200000 mark or even past it.

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  Love it! - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By allanfam4 - December 31 - 7:20 am

  Have only had my new Enclave for one week, but already love it. My husband surprised me with a Cyber Gray CXL-1 for Christmas. Several months ago, we test drove the Traverse, Enclave, Mazda CX-9, and Honda Pilot. I told him that when we were ready to purchase, I definately wanted the Enclave. Previoiusly had a 2003 Trailblazer EXT, which I also loved, but after 8 years and 100,000 miles, I was ready for something that had all the newest features (including safety features). The ride is incredibly smooth and quiet, and it is extremely comfortable. Already took it on a three hour road trip, and we were all comfortable. Got about 20 MPG on the highway and have gotten 18 in town.

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  Love my new Regal! - 2011 Buick Regal
  By maragyrl - December 19 - 9:48 am

  I have been driving Hondas since I was 16. I am now 34 and this is the first time I have bought any American car let alone a Buick. I first saw the new Regal on the road and in advertisements. The sporty exterior really appealed to me. I then did some research and saw how many great features came standard with the car. I got an RL3 for $27K MSRP (less with dealer incentives). The car is stylish, fuel efficient, has a beautiful leather interior (with power adjustable front seats and seat warmers), rear parking assist, dual climate control (with vents in the back seat area too), integrated blue tooth, XM, and iPOD docking station. The On-Star is pretty cool too. I now enjoy my commute!

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  Good fuel economy for such a large car with good reliablity - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Anonymous - December 13 - 8:18 am

  Although I have only owned the Buick for one year, it has been a year of trouble free operation. Two oil changes and 13,000 miles later (first at 3,000, second at 13,000), and that is all the service has been - less than $100. The oil sensor is a nice touch, you only get oil changes when the car tells you it is time too based on driving conditions. It is very comfortable and the whole family likes its features as mentioned below. The teething problems the people in 2008 seems to have benefited the later model years with additional features such as GPS with traffic navigation, more horsepower with the same gas mileage, and overall just a better car with imrproved transmission performance.

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  LaCrosse: American Company, Global Design - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By timinwi - December 9 - 10:25 pm

  All in all This is one of the most uniquely-designed cars I have ever owned. Of course its a GM product, but its also an amalgamation of engineering and design elements from Germany, Asia, as well as America. You would think that this would make for an odd combination, but all the elements really work well together. I bought the CX model with the V-6 and comfort convenience package for 26K which included a credit union discount and a loyalty discount - a great value for a refined, smooth riding, performance (280hp) car. The CX has cloth seats and I really recommend giving the cloth a look before springing for the leather on the CXL or CXS. The cloth is very comfortable and luxurious.

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  A Test Drive you MUST take! - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By WIlliam - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I have been circling around the 2011 LaCrosse since early September and finally took the plunge last week. It is exciting to drive and handles like and rides like a dream. My CXRs 3.6L V6 engine has you up to top speed in no time flat! Anyone in the market for a new car must take the new LaCrosse for a test drive!

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  Comfort Extraordinaire - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By Kurt - November 29 - 2:00 am

  We are in our third week of Enclave ownership and have never been as impressed with a vehicle as we are with our 2011 CX-L1 White Diamond. Every trip we taken in it, from the jaunt to the grocery to the long distance trip, has been a pleasure. Buick is back! Have not owned a Buick since 1995, been driving Hondas, but I am glad to say I am back in a Buick.

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  Just Leased - 2011 Buick Regal
  By cataclysmo - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Never in my life would I have thought it possible but I just leased a CXL after turning in my 02 325i and am really blown away by what you get for the money. It reminds me a lot of my BMW but it is cheaper and a lot better equipped, even for the base model. Im really surprised I hadnt heard more about this car. Be sure your dealer throws in the cap reduction cash for owners of different makes. Will check in with a later review when it has more miles, but Buick is clearly not your father Buick anymore.