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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  Still Mixed Feelings - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Scott - July 25 - 4:07 am

  I have owned my LaCrosse CXS for a year now and like it but have a few issues. My wife really likes it and drives it daily. Fuel mileage is less then expected. With mostly town driving we get 19mpg. Power is great. Transmission is not a smooth as others in this class. Truck is difficult to open. Two issues - drivers side window rattles at high speed and CD player rattles when hit bumpy roads. I like the car but Buick needs to work out some details in design and quality.

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  My review - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Candace - July 24 - 5:46 pm

  What a nice car to drive! Plenty of room, nice ride, 6-cyl fuel economy-- gets great mileage for a SUV. Yes, gas is over $3 per gallon--but will I give up my Rendevous! Never!

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  Needs tighter turning radius - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Noel - July 24 - 5:21 pm

  Have had car for 3 months. Just got out of shop to repair major coolant leak. Dealer very nice, loaned us another Lucerne. Car is extremely quiet, peppy and smooth and overall comfort is good. On down side, is very hard to park due to excessive turning radius, poor visibility due to wide pillars at windshield. Gas mileage not as good as on my old 97 Lesabre with 3.8 Engine. Doesnt seem as stable at high speed as old LeSabre was.

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  RB5 - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By LRB - July 24 - 4:19 pm

  I enjoy not climbing down into or up out of the vehicle. We have bee surprised by the leg room in back, easy of entry and the carrying capacity, esp the size and shape of the opening.

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  Great Car - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Ken - July 24 - 3:45 pm

  Great car, very comfortable on trips. A lot of space and nice design

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  Learn to love it - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Loretta - July 23 - 9:24 pm

  I did not want this vehicle when we purchased it but, the more I drove it the more I loved it. It has plenty of space for the kids sports gear, the back seats recline to let the kids relax on a long trip, drink holders, storage space, lots of extras. It has turned out to be a great vehicle, and for the size the gas mileage is good. I get about 300 miles to a tank full. I reccomend it.

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  Best car for the money - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Dick Lee - July 23 - 8:23 pm

  This car is at the top of the heap as for as Im concerned. Quiet the word here. Plenty of power from the proven 3.8 V6 engine. 28 mpg. Styling, comfort, roadhandling, all excellent. A ton of car for the money. $24k sticker and lots of GM incentives make this a spectacular investment. Finally GM has got it right with this one! A lot of thought to details went into this vehicle. Leasing is a very afordable option to owning this great car. We just love this vehicle of all the previous cars we have owned.

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  Buick - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Barbara - July 23 - 12:52 pm

  Car drives great. It is probably the quietest car I have ever owned. I love the way it handles.

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  First Buick a Keeper - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Rich - July 22 - 5:18 pm

  Ive driven the Lucerne CTS for two months, and so far Im very satisfied. It is a very comfortable, easy handling car, great on the road and very quiet in all traffic. It has great features, including the park assist, remote start and an outstanding sound system. The controls are straightforward, even those on the wheel and column. The V8 delivers the power it drives with a robust if not sporty feel. On the downside, the backseats dont fold down, and the little pass-through port is fairly useless. The 18" chrome wheels look great but make for a pretty wide turning radius. This is my first GM vehicle, and so far it feels like a keeper.

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  Lemonade out of Lemons - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Justin Case - July 22 - 12:00 am

  Wow, what can I say. Car has been in the repair shop 3 times for various problems since I have purchased it. Electrical short, Rear trunk malfunction, brakes needed replacement, and starter had to be replaced. What next? I traded in my 1999 Lexus GS for this?? took the word of reviewers and did some research, boy do I feel silly now. I am looking into replacing soon. For a buyer in my demographic (50, semi-retired) this is really a dissappointment.