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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  Please Dont Purchase - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Nikki Smith - July 25 - 11:59 am

  We bought this car in March for room. We traded in a Toyota Camry for it. The day after we drove it home, the air conditoning went out , and took 3 days to fix. Then on Memorial Day weekend , it went dead on me in another town, and we had to find a ride home. That was another couple of weeks without the ca,r and the dealership couldnt find out what was wrong with it. 2 weeks later, it left me on the side of the road again with a 2 month old. By the time of my 3rd payment, I hadnt actually had the car 3 weeks. No one could find out what was wrong, and the dealership wouldnt take it back. Still having problems. A bad experience.

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  Incredibly reliable. I love this car. - 1993 Buick Century
  By Liz W. - July 23 - 4:52 pm

  This was my first car. I inherited it from my grandfather in 1998 with only 26K miles on it. I drove it from North Carolina to Los Angeles, drove it in L.A. traffic for years, drove to Denver and back, to San Francisco and back countless times, and to Arizona where we lived in the mountains for three years. Now that the car is 12 years old and has 136K miles on it, it has a few minor cosmetic issues, but still runs beautifully. I recently drove it cross country again and it did exactly as it was asked the entire trip. This car has never let me down, never failed to start on the first try (except once when I needed to replace the fuel pump), and overall has been wonderful. Highly recommended.

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  Very Disappointed - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By no fan - July 23 - 3:07 pm

  I thought I had bought the best van out there until the car stopped starting for me. Three times at the dealer in 6 weeks and they still cant fix it. It now sits in my garage not being driven because I cant count on it starting. A very big disappointment after spending upwards of $36,000.00 for it fully loaded.

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  Last of "big Regals" - 1996 Buick Regal
  By Morty - July 22 - 11:29 pm

  Aside from GMs decision to cut weight in the wrong places & start to make "pewter" brake rotors in all sedans from the mid-90s to the present, this car has been fabulous ! No maintenance expense aside from recomended chart routine. Im getting great gas mileage on the interstates. Its made my previous Grand-Am seem to ride like a buck-board! Im keeping it till the wheels fall off!

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  I love Buick - 2005 Buick Century
  By Linda Taylor - July 22 - 5:13 pm

  This is a perfect car for me. I love the styling, and colour. ( I chose bronze/mist). I also feel that North Americans are not supporting our country and fellow citizens (workers of General Motors) by not buying from the original car makers of our country. Performance is all that I could want or expect. I drive the highways quite a lot and when I need the power and pick up to pass on a two lane highway it is always there. Buick is the car for this all-Canadian gal! So far, it has been all that was promised.

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  Expensive Repairs - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sherry Powell - July 22 - 10:00 am

  My job requires me to be on the road over 70% of the time. Very comfortable ride and the gas milage is ok at 18mpg. However, any repair has been expensive. I purchased an extended warrenty that expired 1K mi ago. And then the igintion switch went out.. a part that is combined with the steering wheel and steering column.. To the tune of $1,600 to repair. Parts take up to two or three weeks which adds to the costs since I had to rent a car to continue working. Also, tires do not last past 40k and Ive experienced several repairs covered under warrenty. Cant wait to unload this over priced SUV

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  93 3.3L Century Custom - 1993 Buick Century
  By Rachel - July 20 - 12:13 am

  Have had this car for quite a while. The 3.3L has probably been its saving grace. Now at nearly 13 years old, its still going. Original motor and transmission at almost 270k miles. No real major repairs save the harmonic balancer pulley and the heater core. It has enjoyed eating alternators in the past 5 or so years-- 3, I believe. And the cruise control stopped working, but would require a new computer and simply would not be worth it at this point. All in all a great car, especially considering how long weve had it and how many miles its traveled. Will only hope the next car I purchase will be as reliable.

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  So far...So good - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By NAU02 - July 19 - 8:07 pm

  Ive had this vehicle for 8 months now. It had 22k miles on it when purchased as a used rental vehicle, and now at 30k, there are no problems yet. I love the handling and the comfort. Im not too crazy about the outside looks, and being 25, male, and single w/out kids, Im the only person in my demographic with this SUV. I Upgraded the stereo and it sounds wonderful. I tested almost every mid-size SUV out there and nothing compared to the ride and interior stylings of the Rendezvous!

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  The 3800 engine is a proven keeper - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By James Crawford - July 18 - 8:04 pm

  On smooth pavement, this car is very quiet. The dual zone climate control works very well. Engine cruising rpms are surprisingly low. My new Buick has 1,000 miles on it and I can average 25+ MPG on the interstates of Florida & Georgia while set on cruise control at 75 - 80 MPH. The ABS brakes are very controllable for coming to a smooth, non-diving stop. All-around visibility (windshield, side windows, side mirrors, and a really wide view via the automatic day/night rearview mirror)is the best Ive ever had. The rear bumper resident back-up warning system helps give me back some of the sense of depth perception that Ive lost with age! Ive been in Fords for 30 years. Im in Buicks to stay.

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  Last sharp-looking Buick - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By LarryMit - July 18 - 4:45 pm

  I finally got my Riviera since lusting after the 1963 model when it came out. This is the best looking American car since 1963 and the last good-looking one. If only Buick would make another Riviera like this, Id consider buying another Buick. Oh, well!