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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  Good everyday car - 1996 Buick Regal
  By Ann - November 16 - 7:49 pm

  Purchased car with 25,000 now have 75,000. No major problems, but did have fairly costly replacement of tail light because dampness in tail light assembly caused light to short out often. Interior switch to automatically unlock doors does not always work. Brakes are noisy they work but I think that the pedal feels soft as compared to other brands of rental cars I often drive. Otherwise just routine maintenance. Roomy interior and trunk.

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  Fantastic! - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By drew0927 - November 16 - 2:52 pm

  Ive never been more pleased with a care in my entire life. Very smooth ride, incredibly comfortable interior, and quiet as a mouse. The mileage is phenomenal given the size of the car. I commute 60+ miles each day so really appreciate how comfortable the interior is. The suspension soaks up the potholes with just a soft "thump, thump".

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  Good looks arent everything - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Jay - November 16 - 10:42 am

  Great looking car, but every winter my heater turns my lights off. Major electrical problems, plus the Dexcool builds up an oily residue in my coolant system and I have to flush every year, not every 5 like they state. Try to stay away from this car.

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  Great SUV - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Hannah DeLisle - November 16 - 9:56 am

  W have been very happy with this vehicle, one of the best we have had. We took it to Florida and back to Micigan and it was great. I have only had to change the oil two times in over a year.

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  My car - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By richard connor - November 15 - 9:53 pm

  I have owned my Buick for four years and had no problems, the reliability has been excellent

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  Not Buicks best effort - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By autoworker239 - November 15 - 8:19 pm

  This vehicle is plagued with problems ranging from annoying to down right dangerous. Newer versions have corrected some of the problems but some of the more serious ones still remain including premature wheel hub failures, faulty wiring and bad transmissions. If you insist on buying one youd better purchase the extended warranty and towing insurance because youre going to need it.

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  Disappointed - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By RebeccaD - November 14 - 10:53 pm

  Love at first sight. Problems after manufacturer warranty expired have included failure & replacement of both front tire hubs (one of them replaced twice), Power steering pump replaced three times, Heater control unit shorted out. I have filed a safety complaint w/NHTSA lots more there, please read. Buick Rendezvous has had a lot of problems. Through persistant investigation on my part, Ive found that the tire hub appears to be defective, GM is now getting this part from a new supplier. At first we loved this car but will never buy another Rendezvous maybe never another Buick at all. The dealership has been good & has made all repairs at no cost to us even though we are past the mileage warranty.

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  A pleasure to drive - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By forklift - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I have the Park Avenue SE, and Ive been nothing but pleased. The 3.8 engine is capable of doing the job, and provides acceptable gas milage for a car this size. I drive in New York City, and the ride is pretty smooth. I wish the Gran Touring suspension package was available in all Park Avenue models, but cest la vie. Still, I would recommend this to anyone. Since Cadillac changed their body styles, I actually find the Park Avenue to look better. Finally, for under $40K, there is no other car that offers this much luxury.

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  Laidbackjack of Graysville, Ala. - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Councilman - November 14 - 10:00 am

  My Buick is fun to drive, handles very well, we bought it for the ride (my wife has very painful back trouble), we like the automatic settings of mirrors, seats, etc. We just love it! I really like being able to see my speed refected in the windshield so that I dont have to look away from the road. Everyone, including our passengers like the ease of entry & exit.

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  LaCrosse CXS mileage - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By sscott1 - November 13 - 8:46 pm

  Ive had my Lacrosse for about six months now. It is quieter than my 99 Regal was and the ride is smoother. The interior comfort is about the same. My major complaint is gas mileage. It is getting 19.6 average for combined city and highway driving (about 50/50). My 99 Regal with the SC3800 engine got 22-23 mpg. Same driver, same route, different car. Ive seen comments about the performance of the 3.6L engine in the CXS, but my experience is performance is nothing to get excited about. Its better than the 3.8L, but a long way from my 99 Regal GSE.