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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  Outstanding Car - 2005 Buick Century
  By Jeff Everman - August 13 - 10:13 pm

  This vehicle is one of the very best cars that I have purchased and I highly recommend it to anyone!

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  Nothing but trouble - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jbholt - August 12 - 10:50 am

  Let me start by saying that for the first 1.5 - 2 years, we loved this vehicle. At about 40,000 miles (just after the warranty ran out), we started to have problems that I dont think should ever occur on such a new vehicle. The air conditioning compressor cracked, and we were told that it was an engineering flaw (replaced to the tune of over $900). Just this week, we had to replace the head gaskets (Ive NEVER had to replace head gaskets before) and the fan motor --- this bill was $1331. Because of the problems we have had with this vehicle, we will never buy another GM (weve been loyal GM customers for the last 17 years).

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  A New Kind of Buick - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By BadgerBuick - August 11 - 11:46 pm

  An outstanding vehicle in performance, quality and styling. The CSX model is a Buick that should appeal to all kinds of drivers. Young people that drove mine loved it and wished that they could have one. Buick has to change the focus of its advertising, stressing the performance and styling of the LaCrosse. It looks a lot better than the Honda, Nissan and Toyota "luxury" clones. These all look alike, exterior and interior. There seems to be more of a difference between owner and "expert" evaluations for the LaCrosse than for most other cars. Owners love it, "experts" rate it so-so. The experts must have an image of the "average age of 65" Buick owner embedded in their mind.

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  Car of the Year - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By John Henry Doakes - August 11 - 11:07 pm

  Im disappointed in mileage, in town and on the road. Car has not loosened up yet, but hope it will do better than 16 mph.

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  2005 Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Ken - August 11 - 5:46 pm

  This is my 1st minivan. I bought it so my 5 (soon to be 7) grandchildren could fit. I was impressed by the price, compared to Mercury & Chrysler, it was about $5,000 less. The car is very quiet (no need to shout so the people in the 3rd row can hear). The ride is super smooth, even in the 3rd row. All the seating is comfortable with plenty of leg room. I sat in all the rear seats before buying it, and was impressed by the passenger comfort (my sons & daughter are very tall, and they liked it). I wouldnt have bought the DVD at extra cost, but now Im glad its there...and my grandchildren are even happier. OnStar is a great necessity, especially for emergencies.

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  The American Standard! - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Stephen D Rau - August 11 - 7:24 am

  The car features firm power seats for the passenger as well as the driver. Theyre trimmed in leather and have six-way power controls plus there is a lumbar seat adjustment. The insulation makes the car darned quiet! The CXL is the luxury version with the standard 17" aluminum wheels. It looks sleek and stylish, but iits engine is the one thats become the best running model GM makes.

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  Boring - 2001 Buick Century
  By MZ - August 11 - 12:58 am

  I have driven this car very softly and I guess it paid off for not having any problems with the car. It is now 91,000 miles on that thing. But I tell you what. it is such a boring drive, so I wanna trade it in ever single time I finish driving it. I feel the vechile is hung a little too high. but its a good car just for seating for adults.

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  So far, sooooo Good - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By John - August 10 - 5:00 pm

  OK, its only been a week. So far, 23 mpg in mixed driving. This car holds the pavement excellently, The seats are VERY comfortable, all the controls are plainly labeled and easy to use, which makes the touch screen very easy to use. Car is very quiet, but the Goodyear Eagles arent, transmitting road noise to the cabin from the pavement. All the materials in and on the car are top notch, and have a high quality feel to them.

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  Our Allure CX - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By N. Popovic - August 10 - 4:43 pm

  Great value, design and style, evolution and improvement comparing to earlier Buicks. Being 37, I found this one much more appealing to younger drivers but still with the famous smooth ride and Buick quality and reliability. Superb ride and build quality, style, quietness and handling, car has enough power with good old 3.8L engine and expected fuel economy and better brakes and suspension. Long story short - really great car!

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  Its been horrible - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Hate it - August 10 - 3:50 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. Air conditioner several times, manifold gasket, bearings, etc. You name it and Ive put money in to it. I dont expect this vehicle to last the length of my loan. I had to call Buick and they did agree to pay some of the bills that Ive had. Ive put 3500 in to this car in a year and a half. I wont buy another Buick again, this was my second try and I got another lemon.