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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  06 Terrazza with 3.9L V6 - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By mikeq - May 2 - 11:42 am

  Overall I think this is a good van. It has lots of room, very quite. Rides nice on highway. I have had no major problems, However Carl Black Buick performed some warranty work and did a very poor job.

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  Only 16 MPG - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By V8A - April 29 - 3:10 pm

  Love the car just do not love the MPG it is giving me. I know it is a heavier car but they should at least give you 18 MPG. Extra weight hurts. Turning on the A/C hurts. If I do both, it only give me 15 MPG. how sad. It looks great exterior and interior, but the MPG are horrible. They should do better.

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  su-purr review update - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By zeke - April 29 - 10:37 am

  Wrote 1st review 03/03/08 soon after purchase. Car still fun to drive. Only fault is door pillar trim starting to fade but dealer is going to replace. Sometimes a "grunt" from steering when turning all the way left and dealer is watching this too before the warranty rus out. Now have 40,000 miles and still great driver. This cart is different from 95% of the cars being reviewed on this page. This is a super not cx, cl, cxl etc. So most of the reviews written here do nor reflect the lax super.

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  Solid car - 2004 Buick Century
  By erc - April 25 - 11:46 am

  We have had this car since brand new. No major repairs beyond Brakes and rotors. Did it my self cause this car is easy to work on. Still getting 28 MPG on the hwy. My 00 LeSabre is a great car too but the Centurys mileage is so much better its our touring car. Yes, its an old man car but its comfortable and efficient. I really dont care what other people think about the car I drive. At least its not an "edge".

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  I love my Regal - 1997 Buick Regal
  By GWilson - April 24 - 5:43 pm

  Got my Regal GS back in September. I have been very pleased with this $1900 in every aspect except the fuel usage (of 93 no less). I get an averaged combined of 16 mpg. Its up from the 14.5 I got before I changed the fuel filter, air filter, and added injector cleaner @1500 miles ago. But that is unacceptable considering its rated at 19mpg combined. Also the rear windows dont work. The seats are not particularly comfy and the ac blows heat sometimes. BUUUUUTTT its fast for a big ol granpa sedan. Also its very reliable.

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  Solid but not stellar - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Freddy K - April 24 - 5:10 pm

  Car looks great and lots of compliments. Gas Mileage is not that great. Seats need more support. Very smooth and quiet. Car need more power and better transmission. GM Navigation is bad. We have an Acura MDX and Lexus GS with Nav systems that are light years better than the GM system.

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  Rear differential failures - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Treize13 - April 24 - 7:15 am

  Ive had this Rendez-vous for 3 years. Bought it used with 75000kms on it. It has seen nothing but the mechanic. He should make my payments. 2 months before warranty up replaced differential with a used one, that one just fell out, Im not impressed. 4 tires worn out in 1 year ABS light always on fuel gauge doesnt work. all wheel drive ot traction light always on. still have two years to pay on it, time to trade in You think!

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  Dont like my 2010 LaCrosse - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By buickowner - April 23 - 11:27 pm

  After two months, I like my new LaCrosse less every day. Visibility is poor. Hard to judge front end when parking. Gas pedal to close to floor console causes you to hit your foot every time you hit the gas pedal. Cramped space for driver. Door armrests too narrow to comfortably rest your left arm. Awkward center arm rest is not located to allow comfort rest of your right arm. Switch for sunroof already not working. Trunk space is small and hard to fit a set of golf clubs. I had a Buick Lucerne and loved it...dont like the new LaCrosse...This car is being touted as a Lexus alternative. If I wanted a Lexus I would have bought one...I wanted a Buick.

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  1998 Buick LeSabre Custom Review - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By cccp726 - April 20 - 9:49 pm

  Bought car new in June, 1998. The first major problem was the intake manifold at 96K. $1700 later, I was back on the road. Great highway ride and very stingy with gas avg 24-25 mpg. Trans gave way at 212K had it replaced for $1400. Then I decided to have the rusted out d/s rocker replaced for $300. P/S rocker has only a little rust. Had several other issues obviously, but nothing over $700. Thankfully, I have an honest mechanic who performs service only when needed. Engine still running great at 226K with mostly highway miles. Security light came on..not worth it to fix. Left turn signal indicator needs to be manually turned off. Minor problem. Change own oil at 3-4K. Drive it easy.

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  2001 Buick Centrury Custom 4 Dr - 2001 Buick Century
  By jimmyt - April 6 - 8:30 pm

  I bought it as a second car to be used around town and local trips. It turns out I liked it so much, I use it as my commuter car for work. Gas mileage is excellent (26 mpg local and 30 mpg highway) and the V6 has plenty of power. What a surprise coming from a chunky Buick. Oh, and the comfort is worth it alone. The ride is very soft, so dont worry about fatigue, just be careful of the sharp curves. At 100K I replaced both axles, tie rods, one brg and did the usual 100k maintenance. There was some coolant loss, most likely due to GMs problem with the V6s, but one can of stop leak did the trick. Overall its a great car if you dont mind the cigar jokes.