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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  Eats tires , noisy - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By wayne chambers - July 5 - 11:11 pm

  Drives very well. Good gas mileage. Has much more room than most SUVs. After 1 year the rear tires became so noisy the radio was useless. Dealer said this was common on the Rendezvous. Tthey rotated the tires. It took only 3k miles to ruin the other 2 tires. Next excuse was that the Firestone tires dont work well on this SUV. Will consider another make or dealer next time.

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  Lucerne CXS - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By J.S. Martin - July 5 - 4:03 pm

  After reading lots of reviews and taking several test drives, I had narrowed the field down to the Toyota Avalon and the Buick Lucerne. The 0% financing coupled with a bit of patriotism shifted the balance to the Lucerne. So far, I have not been disappointed. The car feels extremely solid and is whisper quiet, even on Oklahoma roads. Acceleration is acceptable, but not exactly breathtaking. This is probably the most comfortable car I have driven.

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  Steering - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By tanker 31 - July 5 - 7:27 am

  Car steers like a truck. Car floats along the highway at posted speeds.Moves from side to side. Gas mileage on highway about 26.5. Have to take out coolant bottle to check the power steering fluid? Raspy noise and some rubbing coming from steering section when I back up, can feel it on the steering wheel. Still have to manually adjust the seat back. Over all just un-impressed with car for the bucks I had to put out. Will not purchase another GM car period.

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  My 2006 Buick - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jim Houston - July 4 - 12:06 pm

  I find it comfortable to drive and be in for long periods of time. Responds well in traffic and has good power and economy.

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  AWESOME!!! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By goodcarl - July 3 - 2:36 pm

  I ordered my car on Nov. 25 and picked it up on Jan. 25. This is the first time that I have ever owned an American brand new car. It was Infiniti 35M or Lucerne. Options on Lucerne not on Infiniti. The acceleration is smooth and quick. You hardly feel the gears shifting. At 70 MPH on the hwy, with the windows closed, the car is so quiet that the only noise you hear is the faint hum of the engine. Its a little eerie. Enough room in the back for a football game. I got two remotes, 1 for memory setting 1 and 1 for memory setting 2. I was using rmt 2 but setting 1 in car. Hitting mem 1 didnt work too well until the dealer figured it out. OnStar features are exceptional, esp. the phone.

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  Very happy - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By very happy - June 28 - 9:28 pm

  I have used this car extensivly and I love it. Plenty of cargo space and comfort. More room than the most SUVs in its class. Rides like a car but has the room of a truck.

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  Seatbelt - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By IfIcouldfly - June 27 - 4:41 pm

  I think GM has finally achieved a seatbelt that is uncomfortable for every body type. The front belts come from the seat and cut into the neck of tall or large people and hit smaller people in the face. So you can get the the seat belt extension for free that enables you to move it around more however then the belt does not not lock in place making the safety value questionable.

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  Exceptional Car! - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By Emily - June 26 - 12:04 pm

  I have now owned two 1992 Buick Rivieras and can honestly say these are the two best cars Ive ever purchased. Looks, comfort, gas mileage and the greatest engine every made! My first riviera had 157,000 miles on it I gave to a fire victim in Julian, California and 4 years later its still running! I missed that car from the day it left my driveway until I finally found my new pearl from Pasadena. I wish Buick still made these cars! If you can get your hands on a low mileage car -buy it!

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  Quality car - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By jim wojciechowski - June 25 - 12:42 am

  Much improved over Century, attractive interior, quiet ride and lots of convenient gadgets, fun to drive has all comforts and feel of larger car. Very solid, excellent finished product.

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  I love the Buick LeSabre - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Richard Nielsewn - June 24 - 11:19 am

  I basically love the car and may get another one but the Lucerne does not have the telescopic steering wheel. I thought I was going to get better mileage, I get 21.5 miles to the gallon. I want better with gas prices being so high.