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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  Short term owner so far - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Joni Glessner - September 3 - 6:54 pm

  Love the car - traded in a 2004 Rendevous - hated that one. Big trunk, OnStar, remote start, XM Radio big plus.Gas mileage still on the bubble - have only gone 400 miles. Beautiful car - Been a Park Ave. owner for years UNTIL the Rendevous. LaCrosse is perfect size. Im a 25 year REALTOR so need a nice roomy car. LaCrosse meets the criteria so far!!

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  My Lemon - 1996 Buick Century
  By Century Special - September 2 - 11:52 am

  Since the day I bought the car brand new, Ive had problems with it. The dealership did nothing but blame it on my tires. It has front end shimmy so bad, I cant keep tires on it. The window motor failed. The door lock broke. The intermitent windshield wipers were just that...intermitent. They worked when the felt like it. The heater died. The brakes had to be continually replaced. I have not one good thing to say about this car. Dont buy this car.

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  Our New Car - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By KAREN SHEELY - September 1 - 9:39 am

  It has been very comfortable fo t me to drive and pick up my invalid mother. I had a problem once with eh vehicle, but it hasnt happened again.

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  Massive failure in a 2016 Buick Regal - 2016 Buick Regal
  By Stuart Silver - August 31 - 6:06 am

  Four months ago I leased a 2016 Buick regal 4 cylinder turbo. I thought it was a little overpriced and the ride a little too stiff. Also the blind spot monitoring in the side view mirrors lacks an audible signal which I have in my other cars and has literally saved my life. Still, it looked good inside and out , and my wife loved the red paint job, so I went ahead. WRONG!. After leasing Hondas and Toyotas for the past 15 years without a hint of a problem, in less than 1500 miles--THE TRANSMISSION BLEW! Now I dont want the repaired car- at 79 years old I dont need the hassle of another problem sometime in the next 3 years of the lease. But of course Buick and the dealer make you sweat blood to get a new one, so I guess Im stuck, AVOID MY MISTAKE! Stick with the Japanese cars!

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  Mama Rias Baby - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Mama - August 30 - 10:57 pm

  This review is for the ULTRA. The car is nice to look at and quite comfortable to drive, but the maintenance is killing us. With just a few miles on the car were on a first name basis with the shop mechanics! The brakes make noise (clacking) all the time and is really anoying, the AWD system was the last thing to fail. Buick, great try, but Ill stick with Acura, or Lexus from now on.

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  Love My terazza! - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By hazel - August 27 - 1:54 pm

  I love my Terraza. There is not much I would change. The van is an excellent vehicle for a family in need of a van. It has the versatility of a van but the look of an SUV, I get many comments about the look of the vehicle. There are many features on the insided that give lots of comfort while driving it. Our children love the DVD and the headphones are great...because we dont have to listen to their movie! The third row seating has lots of room for feet. We have even taken it to the drive-ins and put the back seats down to watch the movie. My husband took one seat out in the middle and sat outside the vehicle to watch the movie - many people thought that was great! Overall we love it!

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  Great car but under powered. - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Jerry C. Martin - August 26 - 5:39 pm

  I would rate the car at 9.2, and would give it a better rating if the car had a little more zip.

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  Great, dependable car - 1998 Buick Century
  By Karen J - August 25 - 2:18 am

  If you are looking for an economical, dependable, comfortable sedan, this is the one. The ride of a luxury car yet the price of an economy car.

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  Not a happy camper - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By m.r. jensen - August 25 - 12:14 am

  It does not track well on the highway and wants to wander from left to right. It requires constant correction, and is very tiring for long distance drives. It also has a very bad blind spot on left door post. I dont like cruise control on the steering wheel, you have to take eyes off road to set it.

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  The Best Value: Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Michael Wilson - August 24 - 1:08 pm

  Before I purchased the Terraza, I evaluated 5 other mini-vans:Oddessey, Quest, Monterey, Sienna and Freestar. I feel the Terraza is the best value based on price, options and performance. It has a very quiet ride and the turning radius of a normal size car. Its very stable and doesnt have the typical "tippy" feel when rounding corners. The Terraza CXL has great interior styling with an SUV look outside. The rest of the vans have either dated exterior styling (egg look) or mini vans are now an after thought (second fiddle) to their SUV product. Im very pleased with the purchase and I would reccommend this van to anyone.