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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  Rattle trap - 2003 Buick Regal
  By jedibert - January 26 - 6:51 pm

  The most symphonic vehicle Ive ever owned. The nonstop creaks and squeaks are ridiculous. GM uses THE cheapest materials for their interiors. I should have waited for "quiet tuning".

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  Runs good, when it runs - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Jeff - January 26 - 1:18 pm

  Ran good for about 2 years from purchase, however, since then has been nothing but trouble. Catalytic converter had to be replaced, transmission failed also, brakes have had to be replaced twice and tie rod mount bracket broke (according to mechanic, hes never seen that in 20 years of work). Ill never buy another Buick again.

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  Best car Ive ever had - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Jimjxx - January 25 - 4:06 pm

  Quiet, solid ride with good styling and quality accessories. I also like the fact that Im driving a different type of vehicle---not something driven by "everybody and his brother".

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  What they missed - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By levedr - January 25 - 2:00 am

  The R.is the "big brother" to the lesser appreciated Aztec. Buick couldve paid more attention to some of the features of its "lil bro". I own both cars, having bought the Rendezvous as a family car after being impressed by my Aztec which I had owned for two years. I was dissapointed, however, in some things overlooked by the engineers of Buick.Sound system-hey, what would it cost to put in those nice Pioneer speakers?Rear seat "fold down" the little lever in the "Az" is much easier to use..and do the "Az" seats really fold easier, or is it my imagination, both cars would benefit from the "spring loaded" nature used on other GM SUVs

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  If it was only a little better looking! - 2001 Buick Park Avenue
  By Alan - January 24 - 3:10 pm

  Overall Ive been happy with this car. I put on a lot of miles and averaged about 21mpg which is impressive for a car this size. The supercharged engine really boogies, and it has every option you can ask for. But it is not attractive. As my kids say: its a "grampa car". I did have problems with the rear struts and rotors, but that might have been caused by Brooklyn roads.

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  Dependable as they get - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Danny - January 24 - 12:51 am

  Its not the most stylish car on the planet, but I knew that going in. I bought a GS after much research led me to believe this was a very dependable car (although I found claims about the motor a bit of a stretch.) To be short - they werent. I befriended several young buick enthusiasts on the web over the next year who helped me modify the motor in several ways... eventually boosting the output to 280hp and almost 325 ft-lbs of torque. Most of those kids take theirs to tracks on the weekends - I just like to surprise people in sports cars. I love this car. I bought it at 34k miles for $12K. Now at 126k and it runs like new (very fast too!)

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  The Gold Standard of Crossovers! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Keith - January 23 - 6:03 pm

  We bought our Gold Mist CXL about a month ago (this is the third Enclave in our neighborhood) and my wife and kids love it! The ride quality and quietness of the vehicle is far superior than our Sienna we traded in. Had an ice storm last night and my wife made it home without any problems and we only have FWD. We love the backup camera and park assist which is great considering the small window in the back. Overall, this is an excellent vehicle that meets our luxury requirements with interior room similiar to a minivan. Only negative is the "less than ideal" gas mileage - we are getting 14 MPG city.

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  Best & most suv for the money - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By davkun - January 23 - 5:40 am

  Nobody else gives you independent rear suspension, all wheel drive, just about every option under the sun, a third row seat that stows away and lots of room for under $30K. I like the way it rides, handles and I know I have AWD, ABS, even front and side airbags, and ONSTAR if the need arises. I can take the family with me along with friends. Reading the owners manual tells more about the vehicle that none of the reviews covered, like the limp mode of the engine if it loses coolant.

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  Awesome! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Al Peterson - January 22 - 4:26 pm

  Its a beautiful car, the quality is great, and the fuel economy is better than expected. A real game changer from Buick.

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  Century 99 - 1999 Buick Century
  By ggn_67 - January 21 - 6:30 pm

  Great value for the buck. No major problems in 6 years, plan to keep it other 3 years at least. The 6th seat is a great alternative we havent found in new cars.