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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  Disappointed - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Zakiyyah - March 31 - 9:25 am

  I was not very happy with this vehicle at all. Within 6 months of purchase the entire steering column needed to be replaced, not long after that problems with the transmission, heated seats stopped working, electrical system failures, last straw was when the CD player went. Very disappointed!

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  My 1993 Buick LeSabre - 1993 Buick LeSabre
  By James Doran - March 28 - 9:06 pm

  I bought this LeSabre when it had 30,000 miles on it. It now has 116,000 miles on it. I had the transmission rebuilt at 90,000 miles, replaced the alternator and replaced the spark plugs once. The car needs repainting, the disc brake pads and rotors need replacing, again, and the windshield needs replacing. But, I would buy this car again. I have had much worse cars.

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  Sensible car, not a sport sedan - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Sammy - March 28 - 8:23 am

  Ive had my Buick LaCrosse for a week. I traded my 2002 LeSabre with 170K for it. I was wowed by the styling and had admired other Lacrosses on the road. The interior is gorgeous. The ambient lighting is very cool. The seats are blissfully comfortable-- best yet. Plus it has a pheromone that is a real turn-on--it smells amazing! As cool as this car looks and feels, though, it is not a sport sedan. If you want a sport sedan, spend the extra bucks and buy a CTS, or at the very least, a CXS with the 3.6. The engine is too small for such a big car. The transmission downshifts way too often on the highway, and the fuel economy is rotten. I got 28- 30 hwy with the LeSabre. So far, getting 23 w/Lcrs.

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  Beautiful Car - Wish I Could Drive It - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By dc - March 24 - 8:20 pm

  This is an absolutely gorgeous car. I also own a Lexus ES350 and I am still undecided which is better from a design perspective. From a quality and reliability perspective Lexus beats this car and GM hands down. I purchased the CXS just over a week ago and I have only been able to drive it three times. The rest of the time it has been at the dealership. After purchase, I was not on the road for 5 minutes when I started getting warning messages. The dealer now informs me that the computer is bad so I have not been able to drive the car. I wish they could fix this problem right away because as I said it is a dream to drive and the G6 I have as a loaner is very disappointing.

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  Love my "old mans car" - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By palmettosunshine - March 24 - 8:00 pm

  Absolutely love my "old mans car". Needed another 4 door car after getting married, did my research and knew I wanted a LeSabre. I work for a Buick dealer and I waited until the right one was traded in. Got a 1 owner Custom with 67,000 miles and couldnt be happier. My friends teased me about it until they rode in it, then they got it. Amazing ride quality, great gas mileage, enormous trunk. My wife insists we take the LeSabre when we go on trips rather than her 2008 Scion XB. If you find a low mileage LeSabre, buy it! You wont be disappointed.

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  Good car - 2001 Buick Regal
  By john - March 24 - 1:29 am

  Had to replace passenger window regulator. did it myself for 100 dollars,was easy to do. car has 50,000 miles and runs very good. The seats are very nice and the car rides very good. The four wheel disc brakes stop the car very well, and In the rain the traction control works well, and so did the brakes when i had to make a quick wet stop. Overall i am impressed with this car.

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  The best free car ever! - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By sideiwnder13us - March 22 - 7:58 pm

  I was driving a 1986 v6 5 speed camaro that I got for $100.00 for 2 yrs. It was on its last broken leg. I was told of this 96 ESTATE WAGON for free. the old man was sick & dieing his family said If you want it you can have it. Its got just under 300. miles on it and it needed a fuel pump & a battery that I got out of my camaro. I have had it for 2 yrs now & I love it.

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  Great Vehicle - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Jon - March 20 - 5:02 pm

  Have nearly 40,000 miles on the vehicle. Absolutely no issues and a wonderful driving experience every day. Great use of space in this vehicle. Hard to believe it has this much space, good power and still gets over 20 mpg consistently on the highway. Drives like a car with much better versatility. Home run for GM.

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  Affordable Luxury - 2000 Buick Regal
  By Best Car Ever! - March 12 - 11:00 pm

  My Buick is 10 years old and I have never had a problem with it. I have done normal maintenance and it still looks new. The leather is in good shape, engine still powerful. I travel a lot and rent quite a few cars and my Regal is a lot more spacious and comfortable than cars much more expensive. I am a young guy, but I dont care if there is a stigma owning a Buick.... I will buy another!!

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  Good but ... - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By rtrm01 - March 12 - 12:00 pm

  Had 154K when I bought it, now has 206K and it has been the best car ever. I purchased for $4k, put over $6.5K into it. It is the best $10k ever spent. It has survived a couple of fender benders, and a front pass side deer hit. Drives straight as an arrow, never misses a beat, most dependable. As of late, it starts overheating, and when it reaches over 220 deg, it runs rough, sounds like its on 3 of the 6 cyl. All fluids full,