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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  An ok car - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By DMCnTN - January 27 - 11:30 am

  Bought in fall of 2008 at car lot that deals in high mileage vehicles that look ok. Had 106000 intially. Ive added about 15000. Gas mileage on interstate = 31 mpg. good power. comfortable for trip. Negatives are AC sometimes blow hot air on driver side and cold air on passenger. Also, hard shift every few days (1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd). Guesstimate from dealer on repairing both problems = 900 bucks. Two front chrome mag wheels leak air around the rim unless you get tire store to sand and goop up the rim. Overall car is good transportation given that I gave $5100 for a 4 year old car. Our 2 Hondas have been much more trouble free (everything works right)over 300k miles on those 2 together.

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  The engine Buick Century Custom stinks! - 2002 Buick Century
  By Sixinc - January 23 - 10:06 pm

  I bought this car from a deal in June 2007 at 52000 miles. I am now in the process of flusing out oil from the radiator that came from the engine. There is at least 1/2 pint oil in the coolant reservior. Service Engine soon ligh comes on all the time, tire low light is always on, check coolant light never goes off. The tires, coolant and engine have all been serviced. My mechanic discovered that the engine oil leaked into the coolant. The engine will freeze soon if I dont replace it soon.

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  Started Off Bad, Ended Up Great! - 1997 Buick Regal
  By Kevin Hoffman - January 21 - 11:53 pm

  I bought my Regal GS used with 58,000 miles. I chose the GS over the LS because of its sharper handling. Less than a month after my purchase, the supercharger went bad and the car wouldnt start! But it was repaired in less than a week. Shortly after, the front passenger footwell began filling with water after a hard rain. It took the dealership two weeks to remedy that problem. But from then on I had no problems. The cars accelleration is great and ride comfort is excellent. Fuel ecomony with the supercharger isnt great, but could be worse. The stereo system has great sound. Leather seats held up very well. Despite my problems, I would still reccomend the Regal,

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  Not an old guys car anymore - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By The CarGuy in WV - January 20 - 9:31 pm

  I purched my 2007 Lucerne CXL in Dec. of 09. Im 39 years old & I love the car. Its built on the Cadillac DTS platform and is only 4 inches less than the DTS. Im only able to get 15 mpg out of the 197 HP V6 in the city and havent really had it out on the open road to check the highway milage. I love that when its cold outside and you start the car with the remote start, the heated seats and the rear defogger come on. Thats a great idea that GM had when designing the car. The ride is great, its a little floaty compared to my 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited, but thats comparing apples to oranges.The Avalon has 265 HP and gets 18 city and 30 hwy. I was hoping to get the same from the Buick. Oh well

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  Over-hyped - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Trav1 - January 15 - 9:11 am

  I had this as a rental on a business trip from Detroit to Louisville. I find this to be a great way to really test drive a vehicle. Very nice vehicle but the EPA MPG rating is not even close. Actual pure highway MPG 20 at best. This was with the cruise control with average speed around 65- 70. The vehicle had around 1500 miles on it. The transmission tends to shift at lot which I found anoying. This is a very nice highway vehicle. Overall quality appeared to be high. Great vehicle for entertaining clients.

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  ...Not a bad car, but ...... - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Bureaucrat - January 14 - 11:36 am

  ..purchased (used) in March, 2005, at 18,100 miles BTW, this car was made in Canada, not the U.S.A. Was a single- owner vehicle. Now has over 90,800 miles - has had two major electrical failures now on its third rack-and- pinion assembly vent. fan assembly conked out in the first month ignition switch broke after fourth year oil pan leaked badly and cost almost $300 to fix (a support strut has to be removed first!) Fuel economy is so-so nothing spectacular. Transmission has been serviced every 30,000 miles and looks and acts like new. Seats are the most comfortable of any car ever owned. Overall, not a great car, but a good one. Will keep it until it "croaks" for good!!!

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  Am I driving a Buick or a Lexus? - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Lexus vs LaCrosse - January 11 - 8:34 pm

  Ive had my new LaCrosse for a week now. This is a company car for me, so Im not assessing a purchase...Im just offering some honest feedback from my first week. Overall, I love the car! Looks, feels, and sounds just like a previous Lexus I owned. But if I was spending my own money, Id still buy the Lexus ES350 because it all comes down to two things for me: 1. Reliability (which the jury is still out on the new LaCrosse), and 2. resale value. Lexus has both...GM has neither. However, I want to see GM succeed, so I hope the LaCrosse is the first step to many prosperous years for GM. Build quality cars and and people will come back.

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  Old school road trip king - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By luvoldschoolroad - January 11 - 3:22 pm

  30 plus MPG at 70 MPH on x-press way and quiet as a library...floats a little but smooth ride...handles better at lower speeds but just a great cruiser at 65 plus. * way power seats and tilt wheel in your lap for the best 1 finger road tripper to date.

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  Like it, BUT..... - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By buick owner - January 10 - 7:57 pm

  This car has a lot gong for it. I purchased it because I wanted a seven seater vehicle, with an aisle down the middle, that wasnt a minivan. My prior car was a Mercedes R500 which I loved, but felt I needed more storage room and additional seating capacity. Compared to the ride of the Mercedes, driver seat comfort and handling in the snow this car doesnt compare. The Enclave does have a superior navigation and entertainment package, as well as, heating and cooled seats. I think the biggest drawback to the Enclave is the transmission on a incline. The car rolls back or forward when on a hill, almost as if you were in a manual transmission vehicle, when you take your foot of the break.

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  Excellent car - 1999 Buick Century
  By Rob - January 9 - 8:10 am

  Got this as my first car and had it not been totaled in a highway accident, would have driven it for years to come. While its average looking, its the most comfortable car Ive ever been in. The seats have the perfect amount of cushioning and when driving on the highway youd think you were sitting still its so quiet and smooth. I felt absolutely no bumps ever, which I suppose is expected of a Buick (its famous for floating down the roads). The interior is basic, but if youre looking for a stylish car you shouldnt be going toward a 99 Buick anyway. The controls are easy to get to and understandable, and you feel like theres plenty of room in the front seat. Very recommended.