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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  New - Used - Rendezvous - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Doug Curtis - May 7 - 5:55 pm

  My wife refused to drive a minivan and I did not want to pay for the gas of a traditional SUV. That leaves a crossover. We wanted to trade our Saab for either a Lexus, Acura, or BMW, but when we looked at the Rendezvous we were hooked. We got a great deal on a year old GM exec CXL AWD with everything on it but the Nav and upgraded engine. It rides better than all the other vehicles we drove, and talk about quite. Only down side is the engine performance. If you really want to get on it, the base engine wont cooperate, but it more than suffices for normal driving. I am getting a combined 23-24 mpg on 87 gas. No complaints there.

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  A great all round car - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By Cameraman - May 7 - 5:02 pm

  My wife and I bought our `95 Buick Last yeat and we think that this is a great car, It does everything right, great ride good handling (for a full size car), and I would recomend this car to anyone.

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  Very good, reliable vehicle - 1992 Buick Century
  By cpcrawford03 - May 7 - 1:50 pm

  I purchased this vehicle from an old lady, she just wanted to get rid of it because she was moving, and I got a great deal. When I purchased it I saw very little rust, but what I did see, became more prominent the longer I drove it. My family lives in Central Illinois, so the salt and other road grime eventually caused the rusting to worsen. Thats really my only flaw. I could never find any aftermarket parts designed specifically for the car, but I still loved driving it. Tell you what, that thing drove like a Cadillac, for 1/3 the price. Whenver performing routine maintenance on it, the servicer always said how much the 4cyl. engine could run forever. I loved that car.

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  A GM Fan No More! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Chad - May 6 - 3:42 pm

  I bought this vehicle beacause of the rear cargo space and I did like how it drove compared to the Chrysler Pacifica. However as far as reliability, this vehicle is not what I would have expected for a Buick. I put on alot of miles and am beginning to be nickeled and dimed on this SUV. I cant say that I will be buying another GM soon. Im looking to trade this one away. But oh yeah, thats right, it doesnt hold its value neither. Guess Im out of luck.

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  GM Quality Problems - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Jim Lester - May 1 - 2:02 pm

  Well let me see(in November,2005) at 98000 miles I had to shell out $2000 for a new transmission. This is on a car that I have not driven hard, mostly highway miles. January 2006 I had to waste another $1000 to get the car inspected. Now, May 1st, my piece of ship buick is in the auto shop once again because it wont run. The real sad thing is I was trying to support the american car industry when I bought this car. I was looking at a Nissan Altima at the same time. I wont make that mistake again.

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  Great Car!! - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By tridentnyc - April 30 - 11:39 am

  I love this car! Buick really has done an excellent job with the LaCrosse. This car shows that the long held misconception that foreign imports are always better than American made cars is just plain wrong. Congratulations to GM and Buick for making one beautiful car...inside and out! P.S. I could only give the reliability rating a "5" or average, because Ive only had the car for two months...Im sure it will be much higher.

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  Takes a beating - 1996 Buick Skylark
  By luvinit - April 28 - 12:47 am

  I despised this vehicle when I first began to drive it because it is a "grandma" sedan. Over a year of driving it, i have learned to love it. I have had some pricy repairs but given the age, the mileage and some of the notorious parts that come with it standard, i had expected it. The parts I believe may be due to the dealerships, and the previous owners fault they were in moderate condition when purchased but went far downhill over the course of five years. My vehicle has had basicly everything worked on except for the lower portion of the engine. The repair costs that i have suffered are most likely not common given that the main notorious object in the vehicle, has just failed(tranny)

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  Not recommended - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Truong - April 26 - 9:48 pm

  I was happy with it after the first year. After that, things started to go wrong, compressor for AC leaked, front wheel bearing went. Dealer only replaced the failed bearing only not the other. I have to pay for two new tires. GM paid for the other two tires. Coolant leaked and after the 3 year warranty period. Fortunately, I bought extended warranty. This problem is well known with GM but they have done nothing about it. I will never buy another GM vehicle again. No wonder GM is losing money & market share to its japanese competitions. GM management deserves it.

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  Finally a family SUV - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By tonyjosie - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I read the rating from the editor and they complain about it not being the best as a van, car or SUV, so I was skeptical. After test driving it and buying one I am confident we have made the right choice for the family. I dont want a car and defiantely not another van, yet the gas mileage on a powerful SUV is terrible. This SUV fits all five of us with room to spare and has all the luxuries of a fancy SUV, yet at half the cost with better gas mileage. Ride is smooth and fun, so dont be fooled, go test drive it. OH, Negotiate the price plus get 0% interest, cant beat that. (2004 Rendevouz)

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  more of an honest review - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By ARTHUR24 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  excellent vehicle. more features than you could imagine. most reviewer are critical of this truck. I would like as the owner not leaser of 3 new trucks in the last 10 years to give more honest reviews, not just their opinion. most reviewer prefer honda or toyota to anything. I can tell you this is an excellent vehicle. it is not perfect but neither is rx330 or mdx.