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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  Disgrace to the Buick tradition - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By TainoRico - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely disappointing. As a previous Buick owner,I feel that Buick should not even try to associate with such a poor performing vehicle. Whenever I come across anyone who asks me about this vehicle I say turn around and run. Do not even think about it. I am anxiously waiting to get rid of it next month. I have decided to buy foreign after buying about 20 new American cars in the last 25 years.

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  Lacking features. - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By eugene koenig - June 14 - 11:56 pm

  Does not have blind spot monitoring sensors - a must when driving with top up. Where is the Home Link system for opening garage doors? Navigation screen is tiny and very hard to read. My Garmin is better. Gas mileage sucks. But it is a fun car.

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  Fun to drive, expensive to own! - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By Paul - June 14 - 12:20 pm

  I bought my 1995 Riviera with 26,000 on it. It was pretty much trouble free until about 45,000 miles. Between 45,000 and 70,000 miles I spent about $5,000 on repairs. I really love the styling of this car, its fast, ride is great, and I got 25-27 mpg on the highway. If you really want one, be prepared to spend a lot of money with your mechanic. Youll also need to be meticulous about scheduled maintenance. I sold mine in July of 2003. Fortunately if youre in the market for one, theyre very reasonably priced.

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  Surprised and Delighted - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Karen S. Wilson - June 13 - 9:08 pm

  I really liked the style of this vehicle. I had a Lincoln Cont. I loved that car, but it was a 98 and started to have costly problems. I am not a GM person. I seen this black on black leather car in the showroom. It had everything and more that my Lincoln had. Remote start and 6 cyl. Better gas mileage I thought. I bought it and have not regreted it. I have had alot of compliments on the looks. It runs great and has everything that a high priced Lexus, Infinity or Lincoln would have only it doesnt hurt my pocket book. I really like the fact that it is Front wheel drive. I live in Ohio and wont own anything but. The Zepher was very high priced.

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  Utter Junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Frosty - June 12 - 3:57 pm

  Bought this because my wife did not want to by typical looking minivan for the kids. What a bad choice. So far we have had the air conditioning overhauled at 10K miles, the engine seals blow at 20K miles, a complete transmission overhaul at 30K miles (had to call the mfg to get this covered under warranty), and now at 45K the wheel bearings and gas guage (800$ just for the gas guage repair)are toast. This is my second GM experience, fool me twice shame on me. As soon as I pay for the new bearings I am running to a Japanese or Korean car dealer ASAP.

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  2004 Buick Rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By frobert micco - June 11 - 11:00 pm

  I have had this car for 60,000 miles. I am 67, have owned a large number of cars, domestic and import. I can tell you, this one is the best.

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  Engine Not Reliable - 2002 Buick Regal
  By buickuser - June 10 - 1:35 pm

  Good car but stiff steering. Engine died after 50,000 miles and despite good maintenance. Mechanic says a very classic problem with the Buick and Pontiac with 3.8 engine. OK if use best synthetic oil (Mobil One) every 2000 miles.

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  Like the Rainer - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By bob - June 9 - 1:53 pm

  I have had my Rainer for 2 weeks. I bought a program car with 8600 miles on it. Love the ride, comfort quiet and handling. This replaced my 2000 Jimmy, wow what a difference. So far, the mileage has been about 20 to 21 mpg 70% hwy and 30% town driving. I am real pleased with this. I will be looking a purchasing the 100K GM extended warranty, and deals on this?

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  Classy and Sporty - 2017 Buick LaCrosse
  By Ignatius Pagano - June 8 - 3:32 am

  Safety features are great-Automatic Vertical and parallel parking feature needs getting used to. Corrective steering is great when getting near edge of road or other lane. New shifting system is outstanding. Voice recognition features very improved along with Navigation system. Entertainment system/technology improved from my recent 4 Lacrosses. Turned in a 2014 premium Lacrosse and impressed with all the 2017 changes and new styling.

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  Roadmaster Love - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By fmeveritt - June 7 - 12:08 pm

  Our beautiful, powerful, comfortable, and reliable Roadmaster has seen our family of three children and three dogs through thick and thin and always been there for us. We have talked heart-to-heart while taking long trips to the Northeast we have lovingly polished and nurtured her we have humbly accepted the accolades of teenage parking-lot attendants while going over the attributes of her 5.7L Corvette engine, which moves this baby out when she wants to. As one of the best representatives of a dying breed-- the American Station Wagon--she is nonpariel it is up to Dodge to take up the mantle, but as wonderful as the chopped Magnum is, it will never rise to the level of the Roadmaster.