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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  Rainier Our Monaco SUV - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Larry Myers - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a very comfortable vehicle for the driver and front seat passanger. It has an amazing amount of standard featues and is a real pleasure to drive. It handles very well in snow and icy conditions. It moves with ease and feels very stable on the road, even in high wind conditions.

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  06 LaCrosse problems - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Mike - October 13 - 6:10 pm

  Lifter noise on cold A.M. starts. Starter remains engaged with remote start. The leather seats are too firm and extend too far forward, irritating wifes back of her legs. Theres a rubbing sound when backing up out of garage/wheels turned to left. Too many push buttons on dash in proximity to others. Cheap floor mats. Had wipers replaced twice, kept bending in half.

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  Lucerne is definitely a Buick! - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Wayne Kight - October 13 - 11:31 am

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  Best of the Best..Forget High Price Alt - 2002 Buick Park Avenue
  By mastercd - October 13 - 10:00 am

  After numerous full size cars found this to be the ultimate especially for the $$$$. Some options cant even be found on other higher price alternatives. Cadillac cant even rate better especially for the $$$$. If you like a bedroom on wheels this is it. Real large trunk capacity for travellers.

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  Vibration - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By sedan - October 12 - 11:32 pm

  Vehicle has been in shop 7 times due to vibration in the accelerator, brake pedal, and steering wheel during acceleration. Buick claims that is the way the vehicle is manufactured and refuses to handle the problem. My fifth new Buick! Problem noted on way home from delivery of vehicle. Has 3800 miles currently. Drivers seat is plush, but narrower than my 03 LeSabre.

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  Buick Ranier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By David Michaud - October 12 - 1:58 pm

  I currently have about 70,000 miles on the SUV. My major expense was for replacement of blower motor for the AC system at 65,000 miles. At about 55,000 miles it was discovered the dip stick for checking the transmission fluid was corroded and fell off in the reservoir. This should have been covered by a warranty regardless of the miles. The paint for various buttons on the radio started wearing off showing the white undercoating.

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  Great Car - 1994 Buick Century
  By Buickman - October 10 - 9:36 pm

  Sold the car to my parents with 96,000 miles on it. They drove it for a while,and gave it to me with 113,000 on it. I have owned for 3 years and it has 163,000 on it and drives great. Other than fuel pump around 150,000, it has been a reliable and bulletproof car. Mine has the V6 and gets 29 mpg interstate, and 24 city. Everything still works and it does not have any leaks. Very good quality car.

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  Great - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By Thompson - October 9 - 8:23 pm

  The workmanship, inside and out, is beyond anything Id have expected from a US car manufacturer. Mechanically, the vehicle is beyond anything I expected from the car it blows you away. Fit, finish, performance and comfort are unbelievably superior. I call it the top of the line Caddy without the steroids.

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  A lot of car for the money - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By A Gator in Georgia - October 9 - 4:17 pm

  An extremely smooth ride and very quiet, except for some limited engine noise on initial acceleration. Traded in 4 year old Crown Victoria to get a more comfortable ride for my bad back. The styling outside is quite modern looking, with only the rear end being slightly less attractive. On the first tank of gas with one-half in town and the other half on the highway it delivered 24.5 MPG, which is impressive for a 4,000 pound automobile. Have owned large GM cars since 72 and this one is better than my 1993 Bonneville (300K miles) or my 1998 Park Avenue that were both 3.8 liter V6s.

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  American, but not quality - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By KEN - October 9 - 11:16 am

  Made in Mexico. Issue with anti-freeze leak, plastic manifold gasket, $700 repair. Wheel bearings sealed, can not be greased, $300 each to replace. Why buy American with poor quality and maintenance issues? The front driver door out of alignment several times. Gas mileage gets worse, replaced computer chip after one year, did better, but now worse.