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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  Buick lover who needed this size - 2016 Buick Envision
  By Richard Wright - September 15 - 8:35 am

  this car is proving itself to be a perfect, all around vehicle for me. I have owned the car for 18 months now and am very happy with my choice. but the warranty is great and have owned other Buicks with no problems. I love the way the dash is lower so that the visibility out front is outstandingly clear. The car is very nimble and the steering is better than my previous Buick Enclave. Plenty of punch with this turbo engine, in fact it hardly acts as a four cylinder engine. The technology is greatly upgraded from my previous 2015 Enclave. Extremelythis size is right for us. The interior is of high quality material and well put together as you would expect of a Buick. If I would find anything on the negative side, it would be the price. The price is too close to the larger Enclave and I expected it to be less, but the intro price was compensated to be fair. After 18 months, this is all still true of this vehicle. We love our Envision.

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  Cool! - 1990 Buick Riviera
  By Bugs Bunny - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!!! Its Great!!!

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  THE BEST OF THE BEST - 1991 Buick Century
  By yannie - September 9 - 2:00 am

  bOUGHT NEW IN 1991 16000 DOLLARS,HAS A V6 3300 engine. One set of tires, brakes three times, one control valve, a frayed wire to fuel pump,alternator and fuel pump. This car has been the best,it out performs any other car Ive ever had

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  Great car - 1990 Buick Electra
  By Betty Lou Hilyard - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a very nice car.

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  Great All Around Model - 1998 Buick Skylark
  By SoooCoool1 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car when it had 101000 miles on it and it is great. The pick- up and go is the best feature to me. I used to have a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire and it never got the pick-up and go that this car has. I am also getting great gas mileage. I am getting about 35 miles to the gallon in the city. I am pleased with this car and am going to keep it as long as I can keep this car.

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  AWESOME - 2002 Buick Century
  By PALOS VERDES - September 2 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR!THIS IS WHAT I CALL AFFORDABLE LUXYRY!

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  Buick LeSabre - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Cars4me89 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This is an amazing car. It performs just as well as my Mazda Miata. You punch this pedal and the engine comes to life roaring.

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  super value - 2002 Buick Regal
  By jwellinger - August 30 - 2:00 am

  A very comfortable seat, handles well on the road, excellent gas mileage, escelent finish in the bronze mettalic. Great value.

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  Best car I ever Owned - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By RIC0069 - August 28 - 8:00 pm

  Unfortunately with the recent hurricanes in Florida, I lost my prized Mercedes 430 CLK Cabriolet. Upon doing research, and checking out all the new bodies this year I decided to try a Buick... The ride and drive of this vehicle is far superior to that of the lexus and BMW that I tried, and the price was fantastic. If this is what Buick is now about then KUDOS to GM, you finally have a winner.

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  Retail Value ? - 1994 Buick Roadmaster
  By Hugh Caffey - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Interior & exterior in good condition except for some peeling woodgrain on trim strips. No mechanical problems other than change of A/C l8 months back. Regularly serviced, 1 owner, good tires, brakes redone. 95,000 miles. Have just purchased a 2002 Cadillac Escalade and refused the trade in offer.