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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  Lemon or Bad Luck - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Bill Bauerle - January 8 - 10:39 am

  Bought when 1st out. Love the style, ride, and comfort. 6 sp transmission downshifts too much. Tires (mich) wore unevenly. Paid for alignment at 30000. All four wheels significantly out even though it drove normally. At 40000, #5 cylinder misfires intermittently, shuts down auto track. Cant seem to find the cause. Even with new car bugs, it is a great vehicle. Have your alignment checked prior to 5000 miles (all wheels), warranty will cover it then. Good mpg for this size, 22-27 highway. A little more engine torque would eliminate annoying transmission downshifting. Excellent trim and fit. Needs a locking gas cap door.

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  strong - 1996 Buick Regal
  By POLO1495 - January 7 - 5:52 pm

  I bought this car from Brother in law. It had 180,000 miles on it now has 210,000 and drives very good. I had to replace the radiator and usual oil change but the car still runs great and fast. Love the smooth ride.

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  I wish it lasted longer :( - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By MSWSU - January 6 - 9:27 pm

  I bought my car with 83000 miles on it, and had it for about 2.5 years. I replaced the tensioner and idler pulleys with the belts and Replaced the water pump. At 105000 miles, the torque converter went bad on it. I was pretty bummed that it only made it that far, since my last buick (1994 park avenue ultra) made it to 170000. The ride was great - lots of power, but the suspension was starting to go bad (it creaked when I would go over bumps). Great car overall :)

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  2010 Buick CX Enclave - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Mary Ann Cosper - January 5 - 4:42 pm

  Beautiful comfortable car, but do not believe fuel mileage sticker like I did--15/20 is all you get. I am very, very disappointed. My Ford and Toyota got exactly or better than sticker. Shame on GM for not doing better. Now I am stuck with an expensive car that gets poor mileage-exactly what I did not want. I thought the car makers were required to put exact mileage on window stickers. Temple,Texas

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  Its been a good ride - 1995 Buick Skylark
  By Paraglider - January 3 - 11:22 pm

  Have enjoyed driving the Skylark Gran Sport for almost five years. Bought the car with 144000 miles and it now has 185000. I wouldnt be moving on to a new rig, but recently developed a drivetrain noise that sounds like expensive repairs will soon be here. However, I have really enjoyed driving the little Buick. It gets 26-28 mpg reliably, good performance, fun to whip thru the curves with its "riding on rails" suspension. I have fixed a few things (alternator- water pump- radiator re-done) but overall its been some good cheap driving. I like Buicks- great cars.

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  Can Buicks come back - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By fishin09 - December 25 - 12:10 pm

  Buicks seem to be a great handling car. Ive owned the 93 Buick Lesabre with leather seats.. had plastic intake problem and tranny giving up around 180k. Hub lock key a headache. 98 Buick Lesabre nice ride but motor went around 85k with head gasket gone. Replaced motor now 40k. Dashboard sensor engine lights on Buicks seem to be problem. My mom has same problem with 96 Skylark. They ride great. Hard to believe GM cant stand up with the Asian cars.Have had bad luck with GMC Truck auto transmissions as well. American automakers becoming kings of junk.

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  Reserved but hopeful - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By David - December 23 - 3:50 pm

  Traded in my wifes beautiful inspiration yellow T-Bird on a Buick...and I questioned our sanity on both purchases. One day after purchase we ventured out on a 1000 mile winery tour and Im happy to say we feel our minds are in fact stable. Im around/in vehicles of all kinds in various stages of their life every day, so my ratings are on a very broad scale of experience. I was suprised by the admirable mpg averages and its ability to make hours behind the wheel pass quickly and comfortably. We have every option but AWD and the Luxury package (folding mirrors, power wheel, and the lighting trick GM killed the Tucker for some 50 years ago), so well see how it all holds up. God Bless!

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  Decent Car for family - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By craerz - December 20 - 7:55 am

  I bought this car brand new and have kept up with maintenance. The RDV is pretty reliable under those conditions. Whats gone wrong so far is battery leak, head gasket leak, and recently (after 6 years) the battery and O2 sensor needed replacing. The first two were fixed under warantee so NBD. There was also a recall on the rear lift gate. Oh, and now my gas cartridges are shot on the lift gate. The gas milage started out at 22mpg city and 26 on the road, but now were about 18 city and 22 on the road. Not too bad for a 7-seater. In 2005 we drove this on vacation from Houston, to Sante Fe, to Denver and back to Houston. No problem. We strapped a DVD player to the wide console.

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  My Cream Puff Lucerne - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By HPR - December 18 - 10:55 pm

  My Lucerne is a Certified Used Car originally leased for 3 years. The instrument cluster legibility was poor and GM upgraded my 2007 under warranty to the 2009 version with LED lit graphics, lit whenever the ignition is on. Legibility greatly improved. This vehicle is very quiet, smooth and responsive with the 3.8 liter V-6. The powertrain on this model has very high reliability ratings. I can find no fault with this excellent car, and have invested in a set of Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires. The tires are great and enhance cornering and highway performance VS the Continental OEM tires.

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  Mature Owners Critique - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Sebert Jenkins - December 16 - 3:08 pm

  Did not care for 20" wheels when I first saw the vehicle, first thought-OMG, they are huge! After 6 weeks and not much choice I like them. Been 9 years since I bought a new car so subjected to lots of techie changes, especially the Navigation Package that had not been updated to my State so getting weird directions. Overall I find the vehicle overpowering with use of Plastic, even the grill Im sure this is done to reduce weight & cost. The interior is where my major complaints are: Cannot position steering wheel for clear view of dash, "Drivers Info Center" no compass or Instant Mileage Indicator, Clock too small, no digital speed, no secure gas cap, no glove compartment lite.