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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  Never buy a minivan again! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Steve S. - March 19 - 1:33 pm

  This vehicle is really impressive. I think GM has finally got it right. The vehicle is so comfortable, with so many nice features. You have to drive a Lambda based GM before you buy another SUV, crossover, or minivan.

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  Love the new LaCrosse - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By DAN M. - March 17 - 1:50 am

  This is what I have waited for in a vehicle. It is so good looking and stylish, and it handles so well that I cant wait to drive it. It really has all the features that I wanted in a vehicle, plus the Buick quality that makes it not your Grandfathers Buick, but todays Buick that is for every generation. Way to go, Buick! Youve outdone yourselves on this one.

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  Style, comfort, performance from USA - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By McD - March 13 - 10:46 am

  I was always looking at imports but held off buying once I saw the concept for the Enclave. Glad I waited. Love the comfort, ride, many features. Even my 54" wife is liking it despite its size. The backup camera makes it easy to back up without fear of hitting anything. We have put 7,000 miles on it in 3 months.

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  GM got it right - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Len D. - March 13 - 3:50 am

  Vehicle handles great. Its a solidly built vehcile, ride is smooth as silk, Interior quality is tops, car is extremely quiet. The best vehcile Ive had yet. Car attracts attention wherever I go. Everyone is surprised to find out its a Buick.

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  Best Car to Date - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By Mark - March 9 - 9:16 pm

  I purchased my second 1999 Park Ave after trading in my first 99 for a 2004 Grand Prix. While the Grand Prix is sporty, it doesnt hold a candle to the size, ride, mpg and trouble free driving I have experienced with the Park Avenue. I routinely get over 30 mpg on the highway and over 20 mpg in the city, that is better than my 4 cylinder pick up truck! I purchase my current Buick with 57,000 miles on it and now have over 112,000 and have only had to perform routine maintenance on the vehicle. It is a comfortable, reliable ride that I never get tired of. I also have a 2007 Lucerne, but as nice as it is, I prefer my Park Ave and will replace it with another when the time comes.

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  Good Car - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By davermon - March 1 - 12:00 am

  Very good car with amazing gas mileage for the size and build. My Father and Grandmother both have Buicks, (Dads is a 92 Park Ave and Grandmas is a 89 Century). They both got great gas mileage, but not as good as mine! I get 34 highway and 26 city. It is a good heavy car that holds the road when driving and is good on ice with the automatic traction control option. The previous owner had the melted plastic piece on the manifold, but his warranty covered it and he told me if it happened again he would cover it personally. Havent had one major problem with it and the former owner only had the plastic piece problem. 157,000 with only one problem isnt bad.

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  SUVs for GRANDMAs OFFER GREAT FUN! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By nancylandas - February 28 - 10:00 am

  After researching for the perfect car for five or six years and finding that Buick Rendezvous always came out in the top six, I test drove one, but found two problems: 1. It bothered my left leg while I drove 2. The price was higher than I wanted to pay. The dealership, FX Caprara was wonderful and I designed my own car, but then we could not agree on price. While visiting Texas I drove several and found the perfect price and purchased my Rendezvour, which I love. Gas mileage has improved, but I had hoped for the maximum suggested which maybe Iwill still achieve.

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  Unexpected - now mine - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Mark D - February 22 - 11:30 pm

  At 31, Im suprised I bought a Buick. I had a 2003 Lexus ES300, but needed more space. Quite the benchmark for the next car. Chrysler 300... poor build quality, cheap interior. I had all the intention to buy an Avalon. Then, I went to the auto show in Phoenix, saw the Lucerne on stage and it piqued my interest. So I waited. With the positive reviews, the "auto" blogs, research and then in for a testdrive...well, done deal. Though not on par as far as build quality to the Lexus/Toyota, it makes up for it in design, ride, value, safety and the benefits of OnStar. That feature outshines any navigation system offered by the other marks. Top the deal with J.D. Power ratings for the Buick line.

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  Better than Grand Cherokee - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Todd Hoover - February 16 - 2:00 am

  After two trouble-free years, my CXL is as quiet as when I got it, more comfortable and smoother ride than the Grand Cherokee it replaced. I highly recommend "crossovers" as they get better mileage, ride better and handle more like a car.

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  My Lacrosse First 1100 miles - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Charles Skaggs - February 14 - 4:23 am

  The first thing is the close fit of the doors, hood, trunk. The quiet ride.No wind noise. When I say quiet, I mean quiet, when I can talk to my son in excess of 100 MPH.Thats quiet. It is unbelievable how quiet.