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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  American, but not quality - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By KEN - October 9 - 11:16 am

  Made in Mexico. Issue with anti-freeze leak, plastic manifold gasket, $700 repair. Wheel bearings sealed, can not be greased, $300 each to replace. Why buy American with poor quality and maintenance issues? The front driver door out of alignment several times. Gas mileage gets worse, replaced computer chip after one year, did better, but now worse.

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  Disappointed with roominess - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By NOTIMPRESSED - September 12 - 1:02 pm

  I have only had this vehicle a few days, I previously drove a 2001 Olds Silhouette for the last 5 years. I want it back! The Interior of the new vehicle leaves much to be desired. Why mess with something you had almost perfect? The vehicles exterior dimensions did not change. However there is less leg room in the front, very little leg room between 2nd row. The 2nd row seats dont fold back. The sides of the car in the way (shoulder room lost 11 inches in 3rd seat. Why??) The trunk area lost at least 5 inches in depth as well as height. The worst problem of all is that you cant see out the back window using the rear view mirror. All the headrests are so high there is a very small viewing area. Very dangerous.

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  Lemonade out of Lemons - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Justin Case - July 22 - 12:00 am

  Wow, what can I say. Car has been in the repair shop 3 times for various problems since I have purchased it. Electrical short, Rear trunk malfunction, brakes needed replacement, and starter had to be replaced. What next? I traded in my 1999 Lexus GS for this?? took the word of reviewers and did some research, boy do I feel silly now. I am looking into replacing soon. For a buyer in my demographic (50, semi-retired) this is really a dissappointment.

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  Dont think I would buy another one - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By KTA - July 6 - 8:36 pm

  Purchased van with 21,000 miles on it. (Program car). Ride was not as good as our old Pontiac Transport or my Chevrolet pickup. Very bumpy. Had to stop every 1 - 1 1/2 hours because back started to hurt even with adjusting the drivers seat.(No lumbar support). Gas mileage not as good as was told. 21 - 22 MPG on highway.

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  Not toohappy - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Donna - June 23 - 6:06 pm

  I previously owned a Buick Century and was very upset when I found out they stopped making them. I bought the LaCrosse because I was told it was the replacement for the Century. I have not been impressed. I do like the car, but only at this point because it is a new car, and who does not like a new car. I had very good luck with the Century as far as engine problems went. I was told that the LaCross has a new engine design and I am quite sceptical about that. It does not seem to have the power that the Century had. I have very slow acceleration when I am running my air, and the air conditioning is no where near the performance that the Century had.I am not happy about that. I am disappointed

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  Do not buy a Buick Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Lisa - June 21 - 2:29 pm

  This vehicle has so many problems, weve had it in numerous times for the radio(4 times), the doors( could not get out of car, could not get in car you name it), noise coming from the front, lights flickering, door handles falling off, hatch falling on sons head, abs lights, traction control lights come on saying not working, but dealer can find nothing wrong. Do not buy this van.

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  I wish I bought a foreign car - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By kevo - June 2 - 1:02 pm

  I used to be really pleased with this car. Then I hit 1200 miles. That is when it first started squeaking. The dash was first, then the steering column. The seats are a little too firm for my tastes beyond about 45 minutes. The gas mileage after 12,500 miles is 17 mpg 50/50 city/highway, very poor in my opinion. The paint seems very soft because I have several chips in places one would not normally expect a chip, like the rear bumper, the rear decklid and high on the hood.

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  The Norm - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By robp63 - June 1 - 12:14 am

  My wife loves driving this vehicle. However, like all the others its 500- 1000 dollaring us to death. We have had the a/c problem. $700 and change. We have the driver side wind noise. $150 and change, now a sensor on the front wheel that causes a AWD off and no antilock brakes caution light to come on. Thats $500 and change. We also have a motor sound that runs in the beginning of a ride. I would call it a ride leveler pump but the dealer cant hear this noise. There are just a lot of problems it seems with this vehicle. Thank GOD she hasnt had the no start problem yet. But this one is no different than the others and I am sure its about to happen.

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  Some good things, but some bad too - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bob - May 22 - 4:32 pm

  Pretty much, I like the car however, Ive had to do an intake manifold gasket R&R, as well as an air conditioning condenser. So, it appears that GM is not entirely up front, so to speak, when they tell you, that the coolant is good for 100,000 miles. Now it appears that the gas mileage is falling off, a little. Additionally, as to the power, this model could use about 25 more horses, and improved gas mileage.

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  Rendezvous smelling like a lemon... - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Rick Olsen - May 14 - 10:00 am

  My experience with this vehicle has gone from good to very bad, such that I wouldnt recommend it. After 1 month the engine developed a pinging noise upon acceleration. The dealer has made every attempt to correct it, but is at a loss as to what the problem could be. The GM rep. was consulted who stated this engine noise is a characteristic of these engines, even though the dealer has never had or heard of this problem before. Its GMs stance to not fix it or do anything about it, likely because there so-called engineers couldnt even engineer there way out of a paper bag. I would have thought a company like GM would at least stand behind there products.