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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  Great Car! - 1994 Buick Century
  By MountainGal - January 7 - 5:32 pm

  I bought this car as a second vehicle to get me back and forth to college each day since I am going back to school. I love the car! I find it more fun to drive than my 2002 PT Cruiser and I find it very quick! It moves when I need it to move, thats for sure. Ive left quick a few trucks and Jeeps behind which refused to let me out onto the interstate or refused to let me go over into the other lane when I needed to. Granted, it is not a road rocket but it is very quick as well as impressive for its age. I like it! I may keep it and sell the Cruiser. :)

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  Smooth and relaxing - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By dp - January 7 - 3:06 pm

  Very well built safe feeling car. The styling may be a little bit behind the times, but it definitely stands out above the rest on the road. Every other car looks the same. It is so quiet its hard to tell if the engine is running inside or outside of the car. It reminds me so much of my 1989 Olds Cutless Supreme SL I had for 13 years, which I loved. I got it with 6 passenger seating (sort of like a bench seat)with a flip fold console.

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  Excellent Quality & Reliable Buick - 2005 Buick Century
  By laban1719 - January 7 - 2:57 pm

  I drive this car to work and feel confident in its reliability and safety. It has been an excellent value and rides smoothly with quick acceleration. Way to go GM! I recommend this car to everyone looking for a dependable and affordable used car.

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  Excellent Sedan - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Tracy - January 6 - 3:55 pm

  I replaced a 2002 Olds Intrigue and wanted to get a comparable vehicle since the Olds phase out. The Lacrosse lives up to Buicks standard for quality. Wonderful car to drive, interior is great. My wife though it would be an "old mans car", but after driving it she wants one too.

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  4 years later... - 1997 Buick Regal
  By Nick D - January 6 - 1:56 am

  Posted previous review on 5/15/03. Four years after purchasing w/56K mi Ive come to appreciate my GS more. Now has 130K mi and since 12/01 my GS has had no mechanical problems except for 2 pwr window motors going out. Only needed tires, belts, and fluids. Amazing, really. Brake noise still there looks not too appealing (like another reviewer said, looks like a Buick) interior just ok. But an extremely reliable car. Wife wants a BMW 525. I want another GS!

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  2004 Regal GS - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Bob G - January 5 - 2:53 am

  I love this car! Had a 99 GS, loved it too. Handsome, traditional exterior, roomy & comfortable inside. Nice seats. Lots of power, and a marvelous auto trans. Outstanding MPG on trips, especially considering the power. Quiet, comfortable ride, feels solid, no rattles. Big trunk. Both of these vehicles have been utterly reliable, and very inexpensive to maintain. A lot of folks laugh at the idea of a Buick, but I only need to impress myself. Theyre welcome to their expensive, maintenance-intensive German ego props. This Buicks a terrific buy, and Im sorry they wont be making any more in 5 years.

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  Loaded with Luxury and Amazing features - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By aminnj - January 4 - 12:50 pm

  I have CXL, AWD with all options except Navigation System. The drive feels like of an SUV & the room you get is of a Minivans. Compare to the class leader Odessey this car comes with many extras, such as AWD, Rearview Parking Assisstance, a built- in compressor, AC Power Outlet to charge Camcoders, Digital Cameras, Laptops etc, XM Radio is truly awesome, On-star 1-year free is great feature as well. If one can afford $199 a year from year 2, it is very useful feature especially if you have a family with kids. Compare to Honda Odessey, I think the pick up is less and the rear trunk room is superior in Honda. I would suggest to take a look at this Terraza instead of simply going with Honda

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  Consider this sleeper - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By PV - January 3 - 10:15 pm

  This is an attractive extremely reliable SUV. With AWD, I am averaging 19 MPG which is incredible. The engine is too small for the weight of this SUV so the pick-up and pep leaves a lot to be desired, However, once I got used to the amount of power I had available, I adjusted my driving habits. The vehicle has a lot of "bells and whistles. I love the "heads-up" display which gives me my MPH reading in the windshield. Because of the air suspension, the car allows me to inflate my tires directly from the system so no visit to a gas station is necessary. Its also handy if you get a flat tire. I am very happy with this SUV and would consider buying another one when the time comes.

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  My Buick - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Rick - January 3 - 9:11 pm

  Nice ride. Only negatives are fuel mileage and cup holders. It has all the equipment that our Yukon had.

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  Open Road Performance - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Ray - January 3 - 6:38 pm

  The Terrazas best feature is the response on the highway. Took a trip from NY to DC and the car responded beautifully to passing situations. Accelerating from 55-60mph to 65-70mph to pass, it handled smoothly and had enough engine power and feel that it could give you more power easily.