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:

• 

  Best car out of 18 in 20 years ... - 2002 Buick Park Avenue
  By thin41 - April 7 - 11:26 pm

  The quality, smooth ride and handling, power of the Buick Park Avenue is outstanding and exceptional. I have owned a LeSabre and a Century, but this leather recliner on wheels out performs all cars I have had and is like a little piece of heaven :) Too bad Buick does not manufacture anymore :( 10 out of 10 in my book.

• 

  Buick Scores a Hat Trick - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By GW Cooper - April 7 - 7:53 pm

  LaCrosse (Allure in Canada)is an endless delight. Beautiful, well proportioned exterior and sumptuous interior with excellent ergonomics combine to create a refined driving experience. Form, fit and finish are well integrated to create a unity of purpose that is first class. Powertrain performance is superior and seemless. Flat torque curve, smart safety features, agile suspension system together instill confidence in treating the CXS as a true sports sedan. Quiet tuning and a superb sound system combine to offer distortion-free sound studio quality and listening pleasure be it jazz (Diana Kroll), classics ( Vivaldis Four Seasons with Perleman), folk-rock (the Eagles, Beatles, Pink Floyd.

• 

  Great luxury, not luxury price - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By middrealtor - April 4 - 2:00 am

  When you factor in the current incentives and rebates, this car is in the price range of a base model import midsize, but gives you way more for the money. We love the traction control, safety of side airbags, style of the interior. Not gaudy like most GM vehicles, but classy. Not a barnstormer on performance, but more than adequate.

• 

  2005 LaCrosse - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By JAY HARTZ - April 3 - 10:06 am

  For the size it is one of the best buicks going. I have driven it 1500 miles with no noise, very smooth handleing. Quiet cabin. Nice leather interior. It should have ABS brakes std. on the CXL Model. Lots of good passing power. YA YA

• 

  Love it - - 2017 Buick Cascada
  By Arnold - April 1 - 4:47 am

  Its not a hot Rod, its a nice mix of sport- luxury. Feels very stable and firm not pushed around on the road like lighter vehicles. It gets a lot of looks every where we go - the top down in 17 seconds is great, quiet. Fits very nicely in our garage turns on a dime.. Hits 80MPH before you know it.. Nothing bad at all to say about it. Love the color of the car and the large wheels makes it look very sporty and stylish - the technology is plenty fine - its a car not a computer- I feel its quiet with roof up or down. Would recommend for anyone that enjoys a convertible and the free feeling driving experience at a GREAT price!! Couldnt believe I got the 2017 LOADED for $10K less than a 2013 AUDI..

• 

  Excellent Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Marilou - March 28 - 10:33 pm

  This is the quietest sedan I have ever driven. It is comfortable, reliable, and I have received many compliments on the looks and ride. Due to letting others try it out, it looks like Buick will be selling a few more Lucernes. I am averaging 24 miles per gallon in the mountains of North Carolina, 29-30 miles on the expressways. Buick is and shall be my car for a long time to come.

• 

  CHANGE FROM A 4-WHEEL TO AWD. - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By KAY - March 25 - 10:00 am

  AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE LOOK WAS FUNNY, BUT IT IS SO DIFFERENT IT GROWS ON YOU. IT HANDLES BEAUTIFULLY. STEERING IS SEMI-LUXURY, I LOVE THIS PART. HAVENT HAD IT LONG BUT AM IMPRESSED SO FAR WITH GAS MILEAGE AND FEATURES. ONCE INSIDE IT HAS A LARGER APPEARANCE AND EXCEPTIONAL ROOM. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE SEATS COMFORT AND THE RIDE IS A PLUS ON LONG TRIPS.IT HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH POWER TO GET UP AND GO WHEN NEEDED.BUT COULD TAKE THE ROAD BUMPS SOFTER,HAS A TENDENCY TO BOTTOM OUT.

• 

  Large and efficient - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Dave K - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Rendezvous is GMs best-kept secret. Quieter, better riding and larger than most midsize SUVs. Better fuel economy than Highlander, yet about as large inside as an Expedition. Interior has no squeaks or rattles and is definitely one of GMs higher-quality executions. At 66 and 240 pounds, Explorer and TrailBlazer seemed cramped for me, but the Vous feels open and roomy. Most will say the engine needs more power, but it adequate and actually pretty punchy around town (remember, this is a wagon not a Corvette!). People I have shown it to love it. So far my mother, brother and wifes friend have all bought Rendezvous.

• 

  Best Buick Ever! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By MarcNY - March 23 - 10:40 am

  I have owned and driven many GM vehicles over the years. I never have been in such a comfortable and quiet vehicle as this Enclave is. I took a drive and ride test earlier this year with a side by side comparison with the Lexus & Acura. It braked, handled, steered and was much quieter than either of the other foreign vehicles in its class I was so impressed that I had to have one. I order the new Moca color with tan interior. My wife loves the color combination and the beautiful styling too. She likes that she can set her own temp on her side of the vehicle. We were impressed with the ride, handling and braking. The pickup was more than enough for our needs.

• 

  Wow! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Elaine - March 19 - 6:43 am

  Ive owned Jeep, Explorer, Mountaineer, and Infiniti SUVs. This is way above and beyond the others. I have been searching for a smooth car- like ride, quiet interior so I can actually talk to all passengers, user friendly dashboard and controls, and plenty of cargo room. Ive hit paydirt! I purchased a BMW X5 and Cadillac SRX for employers recently, but the Buick is superior all around (theyre both jealous). With my teenage boys and their friends, we have plenty of leg room for all. The level of comfort is wonderful. Ive havent been this happy with a vehicle since I dont remember when. Wish the gas mileage was better and the transmission needs improvement.