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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  19 months in, tearing my hair out over the gas bills - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By bigbaddave - August 6 - 12:46 pm

  I wrote my first review after driving the Enclave for a week weve had it now for 19 months. We bought it to transport my teenage daughter and her friends around and its been a great success. They love the luxurious leather seats, the sound system and the great ride. The back seats fold down in a variety of ways and you can transport pretty much whatever you want. The main drawback is the awful fuel consumption on the AWD version, which is less even than the 15 mpg Buick claims it will get. Our lease runs out at the end of 2014 and wed like to buy the Enclave, even though it will be a bit big for two people, but I think well downsize to a BMW X3 or the Audi Q5 just to save money on gas.

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  Great car! - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By carlover7055 - July 26 - 1:34 pm

  My mother purchased this car in year 2000 right off from a dealership as brand new. Then gave the car to me in year 2010 with 95,000 miles. It was in mint condition because kept in the garage all those years. The only problems we have this car is two rear power windows stopped working. (We did get it fixed) and fuel gauge stopped working, we had that fixed too. Overall it runs like a dream and my friends rode in that car wanted one because it was so quiet and smooth. I love this car and will keep it for a long time. Now it has 140,000 miles and still very dependable with good gas mileage on V-6 engine.

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  defroster vent stays open - 2012 Buick Verano
  By larrylp - July 24 - 12:38 pm

  Condensation builds up on the exterior front window when running the air conditioner. The dealer said this was because the defroster vent NEVER completley closes allowing cold air to exit. In certain temperature/humidity condensation forms. The windshield wiper must be run to allow visibility. Dealer states designed that way. No fix

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  Update of 7/13/13 review - 2013 Buick Verano
  By ohheck - July 24 - 10:20 am

  A new problem since my review. 3 blocks from my dealer, the Climate Control quit blowing cold air and started pumping out high heat like the heater was on. I pulled into the dealer, the Service Adviser acknowledged the problem as did the Service Mgr. The S/A got the cold air working again, so I pulled out of the dealership and the cold air quit again. I returned and the dealer put me in a loaner and said they would call later that day. When they did, the S/A told me that the mechanic couldnt get the Climate Control to fail, so nothing was wrong. I do not recommend the Verano to anyone and will return to buying foreign as soon as my short term lease is up. Enough is enough.

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  interior noise - 2013 Buick Verano
  By wmhgh - July 16 - 8:29 pm

  I thought "Luxury" meant quiet. The road noise is unbearable. I took it back to the dealer and they had me drive another one. Same thing. It sounds like youre driving with the door half open. Very disabbointing

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  Great but with flaws - 2013 Buick Verano
  By ohheck - July 15 - 5:17 pm

  Overall, I really like my 2013 Verano Leather Group. However, its not all roses. My main objective was to find a quiet, comfortable car with decent mpg. The Verano does this well. However, I have issues that really detract from my driving enjoyment. They are: very harsh downshifts from the automatic transmission. The Bluetooth randomly changes from English to French and loses my Contacts list. The XM radio changes channels by itself. I turn off the car with the station tuned to one channel, only to find it tuned to the Preview channel #1 upon restarting the car. According to the dealer, no trouble found. I wont return to GM after my 2 year lease is up.

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  Doesnt stand for "Granddads Slowpoke" - 2012 Buick Regal
  By saegc7 - July 11 - 5:05 pm

  While this isnt a GNX or T-Type of the late 80s, this Buick ROCKS! The 2.0L engine is suprisingly powerful. It doesnt knock your head back with mad torque instead the power builds quickly and will get away from you fast if youre not careful. I average 30-34 mpg daily and have a 17 mile commute to work which 14 is highway. I get away with midgrade fuel and get better gas mileage than with premium. I would do better if I could get away from the ethanol gas stations. The seats are very comfortable and visibility is great out the windshield. The rear view, is a different story. The rake needs a greater angle or a rear view backup camera. Overall, a great sporty car with decent power.

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  Made us Buy American - 2013 Buick Enclave
  By cbitman - July 10 - 11:15 am

  This is truly a wonderful car and our first American car in many years. We have three children under 10 and this is by far the most roomy and classy ride that money can buy. It is a quient and very nicely appointed interior. Having the captains chairs was a must for us and this is the nicest car with that option. One complaint is the hazard button is way too sensitive. i hit that all the time when using the radio. Otherwise, love this car!

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  Nice family car - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jimk1500 - July 9 - 10:45 am

  I bought my 2002 Buick RDZ CXL near 80K miles for $5,500. So far the only significant maintenance that I have had to perform is replacing an expensive sensor in the rear dif. that enabled AWD ($650). Ouch! But no problems otherwise. Nice luxury features for the money. Will probably be switching air ride shocks for stock shocks because the air pump is going, but its just routine care. Not crazy about the lack of power, but it makes me drive slower (my wife is happier). Handled very well in the winter. Surprised that I dont need my truck every time I go to Lowes. Service Records did show that previous owner had trouble with intake. Not my dream car, but a nice cheap drive so far.

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  2006 Buick Lucerne CXL - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By feistyscot - July 8 - 11:25 am

  I bought this car used with 47,000 miles on it and have driven it 27,000 miles in one year. It has a very quiet ride and decent acceleration for a V6 powered boat of a car. Gas mileage on the highway ranges between 25-26 mpg in the winter to 27-30 in the summer. In town? 18-19. Not that great. The stock radio went to the recycle yard right away. I had to turn it up pretty much to the extent of its volume to hear. Chucked it for a Pioneer aftermarket and that solved the sound issues. The drivers seat isnt the most comfortable and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel doesnt help. Trunk space and lack of a true fold down rear seat are also drawbacks.