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:

• 

  Disappointed Owner - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By JIM DITTMAR - October 4 - 9:57 am

  I have had extremely poor mileage and there is a strange sound from the engine. Plus there are strong sulphur smells occurring.

• 

  I should have bought another LeSabre - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By DOGONSOFA - October 4 - 9:29 am

  I have bucket seats and the plastic that wraps around the seat at the bottom is in the wrong place for a short person. Actually it is too thick. If you put your leg next to it, it hurts. So I have to remember to keep my leg stretched out. I am talking on the driverÂ’s side, on the left. It is a great car for a young person.

• 

  Fun to drive, drag to fix - 2000 Buick Regal
  By NL - October 3 - 9:06 pm

  I have owned my 2000 Buick GSE for two years now. I love the supercharged 3.8, powershift and traction control, leather seats and the sleeper look. The car has plenty of power when I want it and the traction control works better than I expected in upstate ny winters. The interior is well done, my favorites are the leather seats,the monsoon stereo, and very cold a/c. I recently turned 44k miles and have replaced front brakes due to frozen caliper, rear brake rotors due to warp, there is an exhaust leak at the flex and unbelievably all the wheels are so corroded that they leak air and the shop recomends replacing all for $800-$1000. The white paint is also failing and starting to peel.

• 

  Would Highly Recommend - 2016 Buick Verano
  By Marc R - October 3 - 12:23 am

  I went from a 2014 GMC SUV to the Buick Verano. I wasnt even interested in looking at a Buick when my dealership asked me if I was interested in Buick. They took me out to the Verano and I was impressed with the way that the exterior looked. I have to say that it is a sleek looking vehicle and it looks like a luxury sedan, without the luxury price. I then sat inside, and I have to say my first thought was WOW, Buick did a really good job. Now after driving it for a month, I have to say that the ride is pleasurable, its quiet, the entertainment features are great, and the car is a joy to drive. Its considered a compact car however I feel like Im driving in a full size sedan. I just dont feel like the car is that small. The interior design and layout is of great comfort and looks very classy. Everyone that has been inside my car says, wow this is nice. Buick really did a great job making this sedan look like a luxury vehicle. My girlfriend jokes with me that I bought a luxury vehicle. The car handles well and I do a lot of city driving and with the help of cruise control when I can use it, Im getting 27 miles to the gallon in the city. So you can stretch the MPG if you drive sensibly. Overall I have to say that I am happy to be in this vehicle. It certainly feels different than driving an SUV, but I was ready for a switch and am enjoying Buicks Verano.

• 

  Ravishing Rendezvous - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By E. F. Ellis - October 2 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle fits my transportation needs in every way. I especially enjoy the great visibility and ease of handling. It is a macho machine with lots of class.

• 

  Love my GS - 1998 Buick Regal
  By drivefast! - October 1 - 3:17 pm

  This is a car to love. I bought it at 44,000 miles and have replaced only the tires. It is at 94,000 now and going strong! I love the speed but it can be a little too floaty above 85. I love the stereo, heated seats, sunroof, and leather interior. I would buy another in a heartbeat. Very reliable and a great "sleeper" at stop lights... : ) I hope it lasts another 100,000 miles! Safety is also important. I had someone stop me at a gas station who said his wife was in a very bad head-on accident with this car and walked away unharmed. Great car!

• 

  1999 Buick Regal - 1999 Buick Regal
  By BD - September 30 - 9:34 pm

  I purchased mine used at 12k miles, and its now at 70k. Stereo is amazing! It was my favorite car, but now "little" things are going wrong. Sometimes windows wont go down, the body control module went out - cost several hundred to fix, the ABS sensor went bad - cost another several hundred, had to have trim fixed around the windows, and now the interior display panels wont light up! I love the car, but Im starting to get fed up!

• 

  Wagons Rule - 1996 Buick Century
  By angela - September 30 - 5:36 pm

  Engine blew around 66k when oil gasket leaked and let a cyl go dry. 3.1L has lots of power, but a spotty reliability history, some really good, some really bad. watch out for intake manifold gaskets that will let oil and water mix to blow engine.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Dave - September 29 - 12:43 pm

  I love everything about this vehicle except that it is slightly underpowered. We just completed a 500 mile all interstate trip at 70 mph and got 26 mpg, 2 more than posted for this vehicle. It drives, handles and rides very well - feels more like a car than a minivan. Excellent storage and seating comfort. Vehicle now has 4000 miles and no problems thus far. The grandkids love it, especially the DVD setup.

• 

  Regal- good buy - 2003 Buick Regal
  By nkl9248 - September 27 - 10:13 pm

  I had a Cadillac Catera that I traded in for the 2003 Buick Regal LS. I couldnt be happier. Its very reliable and well built.