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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  Like the look - but not the quality... - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By heatherinraleighnc - September 27 - 3:09 pm

  Traded my Honda Oddessey in for this one because I really wanted a built in DVD and something a more luxurious than what I had and for the price thought it was a good deal. At 5,000 miles the engine stalled out on the highway. Buick ended up having to put a brand new engine in because the previous one wasnt put together properly. After a month I got it back. It drives fine, but every time I start it up it says "low oil pressure" on the dash.They cant figure out why - I have taken it in 2 times and they want me to bring it in again to run more tests. Buick did give me a new one to drive while mine was being fixed & gave me 1 month of payments on it for my hassle. Never had any issues w/my Honda.

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  05 Buick Lacross - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Ron - September 26 - 1:53 pm

  Overall ride and comfort has been very good. Whisper quiet, comfortable on long trips, firm suportive seats. I purchased the bucket seats as the bench seat has a dumb looking fold out center console. Controls well placed. Car had a brake pulsation caused from warped brake rotors. Car was fixed but when I picked the car up in a rainstorm found passenger side flooded with water. Had to bring car back twice to have leak fixed. Was not a happy person! That was unacceptable to me as build quality should have been better. Overall since that time all has been good with no other issues. Hope it stays that way. The interior (Tan) is what I bought needs to be darker to show less dirt. Good value overall.

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  Enjoying - 2017 Buick Encore
  By Glen - September 26 - 1:38 pm

  Narrow front seats. Small width size for plus size men and women.

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  Travel Tales - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Don Ely - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Have owned this Ultra for about 5 months, now. Just finished a 4500 mile driving tour around all the Western states. Great trip, averaging 28.3 miles per gallon fully loaded with A/C on all the way. Comfortable, easy driving. Have owned many (17) Buicks. This one is great, but its not a Roadmaster.Buick needs to revive the Roadmaster. Id buy in a minute.

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  A keeper - 1991 Buick Reatta
  By Brian - September 25 - 4:22 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in the spring of 2000. At the time it had 110,000 miles on it. It ran and drove as great as it looked. However, being an avid automotive DYI nut, I replaced all shocks/struts, breaks, H2O hoses, water pump, and tune-up items. I have enjoyed over 5,000 trouble free miles since and expect many 10thÂ’s of thousand more. Interior space is very generous and the trunk will hold more then enough luggages for any trip planed. This car is truly a well kept secret. I time itÂ’s true spot in Buick history will be recognized. If you are fortunate enough to purchase one of these hand crafted Buicks, be prepared for a lot of attention from strangers young and old, male and female.

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  Riding with a GM product - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Ray Horn - September 25 - 8:29 am

  There were several models of Buick that I had been interested in, the LaCrosse caught my eye. The car was not too big, nor too small, the fact that the rear seats fold down for more room was impressive. I am a gadget person, this car has just about everthing, yet it is safe and secure, there is less road noise due to the insulation and efforts by GM to keep the noise level down. Of course one of the pleasing items is the gas mileage, it is good! All in all, I enjoy the vehicle and its workmanship.

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  Transmission - 2001 Buick Century
  By jib - September 23 - 11:14 am

  I traded in a Buick Regal, which I had really no problems with for 100K+ miles to purchase a uses Century with 20K miles. By 26K miles it started slipping and took it in for service. Replaced some sort of pressure valve, which did nothing. Had it back in 3 more times before it finally died on my wife and had to be towed in. Overhauled the transmissionÂ…still not operating right. Took it back in for the 5th time last week and will be returning it for the 6th time next week. I imagine the transmission will eventually just need to be replaced completely as it does not appear as thought they have a clue as to what is causing the problem. On the upside, I did not purchase the extended warranty

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  21st Century Buick - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Stephen D Rau - September 22 - 7:31 am

  The LaCrosse has a tight, responsive suspension and handles better than I would have expected. The headlights are powerful. I dont miss the Zenon projector headlights from my last car. Its subtle, well-executed and built, with the sleek body looking a bit like a concept car. I object to reviewers calling it "bland". I see it as elegant and evolutionary. I especially like the front grill and headlight design, which harkens back to the 1950s, but with suitable refinement.

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  A great car, fast, very comfortable, reliable - 1991 Buick Regal
  By Boris Morales - September 22 - 2:30 am

  This car is a very well rounded car for real life driving, especially when you have to drive fast on the highway. It is most comfortable whether it be driving in stop and go traffic or at 85 mph. Its been reliable and solid. I would not mind driving it from Florida to Alaska and back. It has enough space in the interior for 4 tall people or 5 regular ones and the trunk is cavernous. Most recommended.

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  Long Rides Enjoyable - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By James Jenkins - September 22 - 2:26 am

  I travel a lot. I have found the Rainier a pleasure to drive for hours at a time. My partner also shares in the driving and I sleep quite comfortably in the reclining passenger seat, although I would prefer the seats to have a little more of a bucket-seat form to provide a more settled feel into the seat. Overall, this ride feels and handles more like my older Buick Park Avenue than an SUV. I luv it, just what I was looking for!