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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  95 Roadmaster - 1995 Buick Roadmaster
  By troy - February 22 - 7:37 pm

  Outstanding performance and gas milage! Ride is very smooth, although handling is a little soft. LT1 V8 rocks, stero is excellent (even better with aftermarket radio). Tons of performance for the money

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  2nd owner - 1991 Buick LeSabre
  By JOHN - February 21 - 11:35 am

  I bought this car as a 2nd owner with 92000 miles. I put 25000 miles on it since. I paid 900 $ for it , It coasts very good & good gas mileage, 20 - 22mpg. The 3.8 v- 6 is very strong. The tranny shifts good & I reccomend this car. Its kinda plain looking but with it being paid for it is far better than having car payments. The power of the engine is a key point in the ownership. The 3.8 v- 6 is now in the GM flagship v-g for the last 20 somthing years.

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  This van works! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By RC - February 20 - 4:38 am

  This van works. Buick gives you lots of extras as standard items that you would have to pay more for on the imports. Don’t believe consumer reports on the ride quality and noise of the engine, they tested the Saturn version only, not the Buick! Buick differs from the other GM siblings with an independent rear suspension and also quiet tuning and a more refined 3.5L engine. This van is as plush as a Lexus. My wife and I drove 12 hrs in the Van from Oregon to California with a 12 yr old, 8 yr old, new born, mother-in-law and dog in comfort. The kids put the DVD on with headphones and all was quiet. Got to San Jose in great shape!! The Van passed with flying colors.

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  Dated technology, Great car - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Mike - February 18 - 7:15 pm

  Fantastic driving experience. Handling a little loose compared to Euros and Japanese, but ride so much more elegannt than anything in its price class Styling might be old, but lines are clean and European inspired. Looks a lot like my brothers Mercedes at a fraction of the cost. Great bargain.

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  Review of my 2000 Buick Ultra - 2000 Buick Park Avenue
  By joshel - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is anexcellent, safe vehicle.

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  LaCrosse - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Hunt - February 16 - 11:04 am

  Great ride and quiet. Great car for the price range. A little concerned with the mileage. 1000 miles and when setting cruise at 78 only getting 24 mph. Trying to this week at 72mph to see the improvement. It handles in line for a sedan in my opinion and think the edmunds guys should compare apples to apples and not this reasonably priced car againt 30,000+ imports. Great looking and performing car in my opinion

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  Wonderful value - 1999 Buick Century
  By Todd - February 15 - 4:54 pm

  This car was bought new by my mother in law who no longer drives, with only 30k miles since new. The car is comfortable up front with average performance and fuel economy. It is good for long trips as the overdrive is a good cruising gear for 60-70 mph. It could have scored higher marks but I am 61" and when I am in the back seats there is not sufficent head room. It seems that most cars just do not take into account that there are people in the world who are larger than 58" and 150 lbs. Other than that it is a great car with no major weaknesses. Like most Buicks it does the job it is supposed to do, well but with little fanfare.

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  Love my Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Phoebe2525 - February 14 - 7:16 pm

  Fun to drive. Roomy,comfy, full of nice surprises. Easy entrance, exit. Lots of leg, head, shoulder room in all 3 rows. Quietest ride Ive ever had in a car. Actual fuel mileage so far is 18+ mpg in city driving. Love it!

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  Buick - make driving great again !!! - 2017 Buick Encore
  By Charles - February 12 - 3:05 pm

  MSRP is to high for this car. I checked around and found lots of deals 20% to 25% less some with just 1K miles.

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  Nothing but Problems - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Duane Wright - February 12 - 2:36 pm

  Car has been a problemn since we bought it. It rides rough after 52000 miles. Problems to date: Airbag cable assy @7210 miles Spark plug coil assy @20610 miles Tie rod assy @ 27,684 miles Power window @36,085 miles EKG valve @ 41242 miles Rebuilt Transmission @ 51,977 miles It also has other electrical/indictor problems that I will not pay to have fixed. New some one else that had transmission rebuilt at less than 50,ooo miles. And they wonder why GM is in trouble. We will not buy another GM product. I did not want to buy this when we bought this but my wife did & she is convinced now never to buy another one. See why GM can not warranty the drive train for 70000 miles!!!