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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  Very pleased, great car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Dog gone it - August 17 - 11:23 pm

  This is a classy car with comfort and style. Loads of trunk space, rear leg room and glass. Big turning radius and some blind spots in side and rear. Steering wheel controls need wrap around protector to keep from accidentaly touching when griping the wheel. A bit difficult to exit as bucket seat seems deep and high. I still rate it a 10. On-star is great and already has been put to good use. On 840 mile expressway trip it delivered 29 MPG at mostly 70 mph but including small amount of city streets. In city/express mostly about 24 MPG. Im satisfied with mileage. Six cylinder is enough power but if you want added zip there is the V8.

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  New 03 ULTRA - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Jake02324 - August 17 - 10:00 am

  Traded 01 Lesabre--what a difference in ride ,handling and looks. Only have 500 miles but still can not get over all the good features.Finally got the 2 memory seats AND the exits working correctly. Had not seen many around and then saw 3 like mine and a black one in 2 days!

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  Quality luxury! - 2016 Buick Envision
  By Brian Orlando - August 5 - 2:44 pm

  I test drove the Acura RDX and Audi Q5 and chose the Premium I AWD 2.0T model of the Buick not only because it had way more technology and safety options for a comparable price but also because the drive, quality and interior design was much better. This car has far exceeded my expectations and in my opinion is going to be a serious competitor in the luxury compact SUV market. The turbo engine is powerful and fun to drive. Loving the interior design and the technology is top notch. The quality inside and out is also top of the line. The lane departure assist and all the other safety features are way above the competition especially for the price point. Buick continues to impress!! Definitely worth a test drive if in the market for a new compact SUV!

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  A Smooth and Elegant CUV - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Jim - August 3 - 7:43 am

  Handles and rides like a dream. Considerably more power than the Pacifica that I traded in.The Bose audio system is terrific although I am still figuring out all the entertainment system controls. The Enclaves pictured in the brochure show a center console (small asterisk and print indicates rear center console available at a later date). So, from the front seat forward I rate the interior as having a very rich diamond and sapphire look but from the front seat back to the tailgate I give it a cardboard and plastic look. I hope GM offers the rear console as a dealer installed option at a reasonable price.

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  Great Car to Own - 2016 Buick Verano
  By Ron - August 3 - 3:24 am

  Love the power of the turbo engine. Fuel economy if fair but a great tradeoff due to the tractability of the engine. No turbo lag. Im okay with the quality of the trim, actually its better than I thought it would be. Nice feature is the backup camera. The yellow lines follow the arc of the car as it travels in reverse. Have all of the driving aids and they work real well, easy to use. The navigation and touch screen work quite well. Like the use of the voice commands. Have the Onstar security package. Car looks like its carved out of a single piece. Great quality. Steering is communicative, brakes feel soft at first but have no problem with them. Rear seat leg room is tight if the front seats are all of the way back. Under normal conditions, theyre okay for us. Again, nice car. Would highly recommend to others. Was looking at the Buick Encore, but would have to order it to get exactly what I wanted (I did this for the Verano), but it would take 5 to 6 months to get. Its made in S. Korea and after looking at the Verano, it was actually a better choice for us. And the Verano 2016 is made in Michigan and the engine in Tenn. That was a consideration for us as well.

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  Best crossover out there! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By mandy - August 2 - 6:26 am

  Ive had my Enclave a little over a month now and I love it! I spent six months testing different makes of suvs and crossovers and the Enclave is in a class of its own! It was love at first sight! Such a smooth and quiet ride and the interior is so spacious and elegant! The exterior is unique and hands down the best looking crossover on the road today! I have to say that Buick has outdone themselves!

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  Way to go, Buick - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Oldguy - July 30 - 3:06 am

  We took delivery on Dec 15 and have driven 2000 miles since. We drove an Avalon and the Lucerne is way ahead in styling and equal or above in comfort. The rear assist for parking is very handy and being able to turn the heat on the back of the seat is very comfortable for a bad back. Everything is positive except for two minor details. The trunk release is very inconvenient to access in the glove box,and the placement of the compass needs to be back on the rear view mirror. Other than that Id rate it a 10.

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  Love it! - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Louanne Jacobs - July 17 - 1:54 pm

  I owned 4 Chrysler Sebrings. Last one was a hard top. This one is more elegant and quieter than the hard top.

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  More than satisfied - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Tommyboy - July 3 - 10:10 pm

  So after much consideration between all the lambda options, we kept coming back to the Buick Enclave CXL. The Saturn was nice but we kept thinking the resale was going to be the lowest of all three. The GMC was great, but no perferated seats (we live in NC and leather and sun dont mix well!)and no cocoa interior. So, we settled on the Enclave. And are very happy we did! Everywhere we go people want to look inside and are blown away at how large it is in interior volume. When I tell them it is the same as a Tahoe or Yukon, they are amazed. This really is a minivan inside and sport utility outside.

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  Buick Rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Paul W. Emch - June 23 - 2:00 am

  V8 engine - great! Enjoy all the comforts, power, and sheer fun. I am 52 years old and this is my first new American vehicle I have ever pruchased. Quite satisfied.