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 Buick - 1996 Buick LeSabre
  By charliebrown - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Even though my grandson says this is an old lady car, I do not feel like one when I am driving it! It handles well and I feel safe under all circumstances. It is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time,and any guests who sit in the back seat are also comfortable. All in all, I would recommend this car to people of all ages.

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  1998 Century - 1998 Buick Century
  By DC2002 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle that offers reliability, comfort and good build. I just bring the car in for regular maintenance and I find the repairs to be far less expensive than my previous foreign car... Infinity M-30. Great stereo, ABS braking system and nice interior.

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  Good Reliable car - 2000 Buick Century
  By INcarguy - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Good car. Never going to give you any major problems. Buick hasnt changed this style in years, had plenty of time to perfect it. Car is very comfortable, great for long trips and gets good mileage for its size. The V6 responds well and is always reliable.

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  I like my Regal - 2001 Buick Regal
  By plymouthed - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Regal in May 2001. It had 25000 on it when i bought it, and I have put another 20000 on it since. I feel I paid top dollar for it, and the tires could have been better, lots of tire noise from them on the highway. But the Regal is a good car. I drive 25 miles each way for work and live in Maine. The Maine winters are cold and can be snowy. The Regal did well in the snow and started easily even on the coldest mornings. Nice car, Id buy it again!

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  Comfortable middle size car - 2002 Buick Century
  By mianfei - June 4 - 2:00 am

  very roomy, easy to handle, stable, quite, especially on highway. a lot of features at such a low price.

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  I Still Like it - 2000 Buick Regal
  By maddmatt - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Ive had few problems with it. Rides great on the highway but a little rough on bad roads.

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  sweet 3800 engine - 1994 Buick Regal
  By granter - June 2 - 2:00 am

  best car I ever owned. good gas milage. plentyof power. smooth . easy todrive and feel safe and comfortable

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  Great Rental Car - 2002 Buick Century
  By edavis - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Rented this car for 12 days and drove all over Washington, Oregon, and Montanas winding mountain roads at the typical traffic speeds. Very good handling touring car. Good comfort. We own a beloved LeSabre and were favorably impressed with the Century.

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  GREAT CAR - 1999 Buick Century
  By DJAY4 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  LOVE CAR...NOTHING MAJOR WRONG SINCE I GOT THE CAR..JUST LITTLE THINGS LIKE THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. OTHERWISE GREAT WORKING CAR.AFTER I DROVE IT 20,000 MILES BRAKES WERE LOW.

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  high quality excellent value - 2002 Buick Century
  By warren p - June 1 - 2:00 am

  purchased the 2002 in february to replace a 2000 century purchased new in feb. 2000. I planned to keep the 2000 a long time but my son needed a newer car so we sold him the 2000 and replaced it with an identical 2002. The 2000 had 34000 trouble free miles. My wife loves the car. Its comfortable on long trips (3 to 8 hours) you arrive relaxed and not worn out.