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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  Smart Buy - 2005 Buick Century
  By mackelvaney - August 1 - 6:16 pm

  This is the best car for the money Ive ever purchased. Its the best "regular car" I could find, and I am quite pleased with the performace, mileage, and comfort. I drive 100 mi. a day round trip for work and I love driving "Miss Daisy". (Yes I name my vehicles)

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  Customers like it - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Smits, Michigan - July 31 - 9:03 pm

  By far the leader in midsized SUV comfort, ride and style, in the year 2001. Pontiac Aztec was weak. The Rendezvous is miles ahead of that vehicle. BR has 95 cu. ft. of cargo space. Comfort and quiet ride. Great sight lines. Nice rear views. Practical in every way. 3 rows comfortable seating for seven full sized adults. No one had that in 2001-02. All kinds of imitators in the 5 years since this stylish truck hit the market. Lexus. Benz. Nissan. BMW. You name it, they all followed after they saw the 100s of thousands of Buicks sold. Probably an underappreciated vehicle.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Rivi - July 31 - 4:38 am

  My wife and I got this car as a lease. She drives it mostly. We had to get out of the lease early. We traded her in for a Toyota and dont look back at the Buick anymore. We noticed as time went on, she seems to loose power. She no longer feels strong anymore. I dont think that 245 horses is strong enough for the weight of this vehicle. She handles the bumps terribly, feels like shes gonna break apart on me. Gas guage is on the frits and the dealer cant find anything wrong with her. One day, we have gas and the next, we dont. Her turn radius is lousy. Its a shame, becuase we love all the toys that the Ultra comes with.

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  Performance - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Matthew - July 30 - 11:47 am

  I love this vehicle, I just wish it would stop having problems. I have had the BCM changed out 3 times now and the vehicle has only 60,000 miles on it. Each time it has been something different that has gone bad (Door locking problems, A/C not working, car will not start) and now they are working on getting the 4th BCM installed.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By herb - July 29 - 3:50 pm

  Drove cross country 2 days after purchasing, wonderful experience. Good mileage, easy to drive, relaxing. Easy to manuver in city trafic and on interstates.

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  First Experience - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Bob Bennett - July 29 - 7:53 am

  This is my first Buick in my 43 years of driving and owning many different cars. I am amazed with the comfort, style and the price for so much luxury. This vehicle is actually fun to drive. With the cost of gas, the fuel ecomomy for the size and roominess of this vehicle is better then stated both in city and on the highway without cutting power. The new Buick is now for all ages and it came at the right time. Buick did their homework and they get an "A" with me.

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  Best Car Ive owned! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By James Peffall - July 28 - 7:22 am

  Car is beautiful, quiet, very comfortable,fun to drive with an outstanding sound system and fantasic features including OnStar, rear back up radar and heated seats. We really love this car and it is far quieter than the Avalon we test drove which required premium fuel (the Lucerne takes 87 octane).

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  Lucerne rating - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By John Gavin - July 26 - 10:00 pm

  I have had this for only a few weeks but the more I drive it the better I like it. However, there are two negative points that I have found, one is gas mileage is not as good as my 2001 LeSabre and the other is that visibility to the rear is not good in my opinion.

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  What an American Car should be - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Shewstring - July 25 - 8:44 pm

  Ive owned the car for a little more than two weeks. All I can say is what a refined ride. Before purchasing this car, I drove a 2007 Toyota Camary and a 2006 Dodge Charger. The Lucernes looks, smooth power delivery, refined ride, and silent running sold me. I have two young girls who now think "Daddy drives a cool car". People walk up and say is that a new BMW or Lexus, they are baffled when I say Buick. I was pleasantly surprised with a recent 150 mile highway trip, I averaged 26.6MPG @70MPH. Nice job GM.

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  208,000 Miles and still running strong. - 1993 Buick Regal
  By Fred Hanter - July 25 - 1:45 pm

  I am the first and only owner of this car. I bought it back in late 93 and the only problem with it was that around 60,000 miles 4 spark plugs were shot by no means anything serious. I have taken very good care of it and there is only one rust spot about the size of a quarter.