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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  Great Car - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By thomas - July 30 - 12:23 am

  A very quiet auto. Fun to drive, and has lots of power. I rate it up there with Cadillac.

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  WAY Better than the Grand Caravan - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Kim - July 29 - 7:31 pm

  We recently traded in our 2004 Grand Caravan for the Buick Terraza. The Dodge seemed to have a lot of mechanical problems and we decided to take advantage of the employee pricing from GM. We fell in love with the Terraza at first sight, but actually driving it was what won us over completely. It is a very smooth, quiet ride. All of the many features are within easy reach (not so on the Dodge), and there is a lot more legroom in the middle and back seats. Sure, the seats dont fold down magically into the floor, but Ive sat in the new "stow- and-go" seats. They definitely had to sacrifice comfort for function. You will not find a more comfortable, easy to drive van than this one.

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  Not exactly a cream puff - 1990 Buick Century
  By grandmaCar - July 28 - 7:50 pm

  I inherited this car from my Grandmother back in 2001. When I received it, it had 30,000 original miles. I was thinking great, "Great, I should be able to get 70,000 miles on this car without too much trouble." Boy was I wrong. I just sold it for 500 bucks, with 80,000 on the odometer. I just got sick of it after putting over $2000 maintenance dollars into it over past four years. Components just kept on breaking, like the AC parts, the radiator, a brake caliper siezed due to a poor brake hoses, the exhaust rusted, the transmission required a $300 repair, water pump, alternator, battery, crank angle sensor, ignition control module...the list goes on.

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  Typical Buick - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By C .Sheppard - July 28 - 12:50 pm

  Very comfortable and quiet.Interior roomy,nice leather.Exterior style boring, especially the rear! CXS should handle bettera sports sedan its not!A handling disappointment over the Olds Intrigue I traded.

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  Typical Buick - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By C .Sheppard - July 28 - 12:50 pm

  Very comfortable and quiet.Interior roomy,nice leather.Exterior style boring, especially the rear! CXS should handle bettera sports sedan its not!A handling disappointment over the Olds Intrigue I traded.

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  Buick Ren - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By DRWingnut - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Have leased the 2002 and would lease/buy the next one. Very nice to drive, my only wish is that it would get a little better than the 20 mpg.

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  In the Shop Before 1,000 Miles - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By DKS - July 26 - 6:10 pm

  I love my Enclave but have had to have the overhead cams and head replaced in the engine. The engine light kept coming on and going off. I had it in the shop 4 times before Buick fessed up to a problem with the cam shaft being milled too much. As far as comfort and fun to drive I couldnt find anything better. I was afraid of buying a Buick and we will see if this major replacement will change my mind.

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  Fuddy-duddy -- no way - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Groth - July 26 - 1:54 am

  I bought this car on my 50th birthday and resent the fuddy-duddy image some people put on the car. It is reliable, comfortable in all seats, and easy to drive. I now have 67,000 miles on it and it still drives like new. The mileage is fantastic at 32mpg on the highway and 20 city. Most compacts dont come close. I like the LeSabre and it handles extremely well. It is a great highway commuter.

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  Pleasant surprise - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jondaley - July 25 - 1:04 pm

  My wife likes this car so we got it. I was not thrilled with it at first. I like the ride and power train of the Chevy Equinox better, by my wife likes the comfort of the Buick. It fits the kids and stuff well. We took it on a short road trip, and I began to like it more and more. It is a great highway car, stable and smooth. Somewhat underpowered, but I can compensate for that. Quiet and smooth. No initial quality problems.

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  I love this car - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tim Weaver - July 25 - 12:50 pm

  My Rendezvous has been a pleasure to drive from the moment I first got behind the wheel. The quality of this vehicle is outstanding, from its very good looks, to fine details such as HVAC controls. ItÂ’s fun to drive and handles very much like a luxury car, not a truck. I haul everything in it including my precious grandchildren. I could not recommend it more highly.