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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  Made in Mexico - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By unhappy in ohio - October 30 - 1:59 am

  Rides wonderful except for noise in rear end when going over joints on highway. Dealer cant fix, big outer mirrors easy to use, plenty of room in front and second row, third row useless except for lepricons. Sometimes it doesnt know who is driving forgets to reset seat and mirrors. Has some problems cropping up, noise from front wheels, suspect bearings.

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  Many, Many Problems - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Cat - October 20 - 10:14 am

  Yes, it does look nice and have many nice features, but the problems (11) I have had for the past seven months far outweigh the good. Neither Buick nor the dealer will do anything to compensate me for my loss of security in this vehicle. it The last and biggest problem was while driving on a major highway on a crowded Saturday afternoon, the steering completely locked up, the traction control light and service stability system lights came on, I had no ability to steer, use the gas or brake, the van kept swerving from side to side. Cause is faulty steering wheel sensor, but because of the other problems that were supposedly fixed but werent, I will never feel safe in this vehicle again.

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  DO NOT GET THIS VAN! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Tony - October 13 - 1:30 pm

  This van has been in the shop a total of 6 weeks! Problems that I have encountered include: Transmission...terrible gas mileage-13- 14MPG...wind noise to sliding doors and rattling...radio went out...problem with chasis and tie rod on wheel (2 weeks in shop)

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  I should have bought another LeSabre - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By DOGONSOFA - October 4 - 9:29 am

  I have bucket seats and the plastic that wraps around the seat at the bottom is in the wrong place for a short person. Actually it is too thick. If you put your leg next to it, it hurts. So I have to remember to keep my leg stretched out. I am talking on the driver’s side, on the left. It is a great car for a young person.

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  Like the look - but not the quality... - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By heatherinraleighnc - September 27 - 3:09 pm

  Traded my Honda Oddessey in for this one because I really wanted a built in DVD and something a more luxurious than what I had and for the price thought it was a good deal. At 5,000 miles the engine stalled out on the highway. Buick ended up having to put a brand new engine in because the previous one wasnt put together properly. After a month I got it back. It drives fine, but every time I start it up it says "low oil pressure" on the dash.They cant figure out why - I have taken it in 2 times and they want me to bring it in again to run more tests. Buick did give me a new one to drive while mine was being fixed & gave me 1 month of payments on it for my hassle. Never had any issues w/my Honda.

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  Transmission - 2001 Buick Century
  By jib - September 23 - 11:14 am

  I traded in a Buick Regal, which I had really no problems with for 100K+ miles to purchase a uses Century with 20K miles. By 26K miles it started slipping and took it in for service. Replaced some sort of pressure valve, which did nothing. Had it back in 3 more times before it finally died on my wife and had to be towed in. Overhauled the transmission…still not operating right. Took it back in for the 5th time last week and will be returning it for the 6th time next week. I imagine the transmission will eventually just need to be replaced completely as it does not appear as thought they have a clue as to what is causing the problem. On the upside, I did not purchase the extended warranty

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  Selling - wont miss it a minute - 2004 Buick Century
  By George - September 10 - 5:23 pm

  When I purchased this car, I thought "its a Buick - how can I go wrong?". Let me count the ways! Every time I get out of the car, I get a severe static shock. I have to touch my keys to the door frame to avoid it. My wife has gotten shocked enough times that she insists we take her car on trips. Getting out also requires a manouver similar to getting out of a bean-bag chair, because the seats are so low to the ground. Finally the car is so boring! I bought a silver car with gray interior. Everything is gray! Its like being in a black and white movie

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  Disappointed - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By DADIRV - September 7 - 11:43 pm

  Lags when accelerating from one lane to another on the highway. Jars the teeth when riding over light road irregularities. Creeps when waiting for traffic lights to change. Mpg is poor. On the road without city driving may be 21 mpg. City driving gives me 15-16 mpg. My 93 Buick Park Ave gave me better mileage on the road. The thermometer inside reads wrong all the time. I would guess that there is some sort of electronic problem.

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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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  Watch out - 2012 Buick Regal
  By John Person - August 20 - 2:13 pm

  Overall a nice driving experience but had lot of trouble with this car. Recall, wheel bearing going in less than 60,000 miles and the dealership could never fix the problems with the front seat. Brought it in 5 times and it never worked right. I had problems with the lumbar support, when they fixed that the seat heater didnt work. Brought it back and they said it was fixed but it still didnt work. Each time I brought it in I had to make a new appointment so they could "send it out." Long story short the dealership could not make it function and GM would not let me take it anywhere else since eventually the warranty expired. This will be my last GM for a while. By the way, once I sold the car I could still open locks, start vehicle, etc. since it was still connected to my smart phone. Beware the "internet of things" and whatever you have connected to the internet. This is a big security risk of these vehicle.