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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  BUICKS LITTLE KEPT SECRET - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By dFOMBYKIDS - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I WAS IN MARKET FOR A VEHICLE WITH A THIRD ROW, NEEDED TO BE ABLE SEAT 2 CAR SEATS AND A 10YEAR OLD, GROCERIES STROLLER ETC.THE TEST DRIVE WENT VERY WELL, THE SUV HANDLED MORE LIKE A CAR, WHICH WAS GREAT. iT RIDES SIMILIAR TO A MERCEDES, VERY SMOOTH. INTERIOR SPACE IS WHAT WAS THE DECISION FOR US TO KEEP SHOPPING. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR ANYTHING BEHIND THE THIRD ROW. THE SECOND ROW SPACE IS CRAMPED. IF YOU HAVE 2 KIDS IN CAR SEATS I SUGGEST YOU KEEP SHOPPING.

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  Good kidmover, mileage should be better - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By BillJonna - December 14 - 2:00 am

  No real problems. The knob adjustment for the lumbar gets knocked off if youre not careful exiting the drivers seat, but slides back on. I just removed it. It rides more like a Van that anything. Youre up high and need to be to see around the mickey mouse ears for side mirrors. It handles on ice exceptionally with the AWD and thats a reason I bought it. I like the chisel cut design of the exterior. It jumps to the response of the accelerator, way more tranny jump than I like. Its my wifes car and she doent "go there" so it works out OK.

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  Outstanding Vehicle - 2014 Buick Verano
  By Lou Koumathi - December 13 - 3:17 pm

  Im very pleased with my Buick Verano.

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  Get more, pay less - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Dan - December 12 - 12:36 pm

  My cousin has a Sienna. We knew the Toyota dealer, and we both test drove the Sienna. In the end, we could not bring ourselves to spend $5,000 more for a car that had fewer features than the Terraza. Dollar for dollar, the Terraza is a great buy! Weve now had the car for 6 months. This is our third minivan (one Japanese, one American, all fully loaded) and I can tell you that this is the best one weve ever had! From the remote start to the wireless DVD player to the automatic doors to the dual climate control to all that storage space - Buick, youve hit a home run! Never mind that it also drives great and you can hear someone whisper at 70mph! Who needs an SUV? Great family car!

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  Im so glad I bought the Rendevous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By LindaBeth - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I looked for 4 months, driving every SUV out there. Narrowed it down between the Pacifica and the Rendevous. I was scared about the horsepower and liked the way the Pacifica looked better. But I just loved the way the Rendevous handled and just felt better driving with more room visability. The inside was designed by a woman, with lots of storage. I love the third row seating for such a small SUV. The horsepower is just fine. I get better gas milegae than my 2002 Ford Explorer, so that makes me happy. You are up high enough, like an SUV but drives like a car. I just love this car/suv.

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  Great! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Gerry Caywood - December 8 - 7:37 pm

  We went in to buy a Chevy Trailblazer or an Envoy(By GMC) and this one blew them all away... Better Gas... Better Comfort... Stylish... Everyone in the family loves this car.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Happy - December 8 - 4:39 pm

  I almost bought another Honda CR-V but was shocked that the road noise was not any better than my current one. I wasnt looking for it, it found me and Im so glad it did. This is the best car for the money I have ever seen and is very versatile. I love the ride and power. Me neighbor just retired as a service writer at a Buick dealer and told me this vehicle only needs service - never repair.

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  2-Ton Performance Sedan - 2002 Buick Park Avenue
  By bflowers - December 7 - 10:00 am

  The Buick Ultra is the best car Ive ever owned. All-steel body can really take the punishment, and the ten-way power seats wouldnt even fit in most cars in this price range.

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  I love my LeSabre!!! - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By llessure - December 7 - 1:39 am

  I bought my LeSabre with 38K miles on the odometer. Ive put approximately 10000 miles on the car and I am more pleased with it than ever. It is the optimum blend of style, comfort, performance and economy. It doesnt bother me that every other car I see is a LeSabre. That only indicates that the majority of people are as smart as I am.

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  Love Long Drives - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Richie A - December 5 - 4:51 pm

  Car rides very nice but tends to drift a little. Very comfortable on long rides. I just put in a a wood dash kit to finish the look of the radio ,and air control now the look is classy. Buick should offer this upgrade...Im now looking for a aftermarket grille