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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  Best car I ever owned - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By robert delalio - June 23 - 10:49 pm

  This car has been a total joy on long trips. It is a comfortable, safe car. The great gas mileage and low usual maintenance cost have been excllent. Dealer support has been excellent.

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  Excellent - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Lane - June 22 - 12:01 am

  The ride is superb. Still has the Buick ride but quiet with a much needed style upgrade. Definitely a step up.

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  Surprisingly Good - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By rainer owner - June 21 - 11:04 pm

  This is my first GM product in many, many years. With 13,000 miles on the odometer, the vehicle has been completely reliable. The only visits to the dealer have been for oil changes. It rides very well and is extremely quiet, much better than a Pathfinder that I owned in the past. I am pleasantly suprised.

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  2005 Buick LaCrosse CXL - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Gary Vandervest - June 21 - 3:56 pm

  The car has good pickup and the engine is smooth. I have to look at the tachometer to make sure the idling engine is running. It is a comfortable car and my last two cars were a 1997 Cadillac and a 2001 Olds Aurora. City driving yields 18-19 mpg...may get better. I have not had it on an extended highway trip but expect to get 30 mpg. Have had no problems the first four months.

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  Nice Midsize American Car - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By lance phillips - June 21 - 12:14 pm

  The Buick LaCrosse is a nice quite midsize car. It has the power to get up and go when you want. The inside design makes the car feel bigger than it is. I moved into the LaCrosse from the Honda Accord and dont miss it at all.

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  Best car Ive owned - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By BuickDriver - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I have enoyed owning this car. We are selling due to the large size of our family. I reluctantly agreed with my wife on this decision. I find the car to have all the luxury of a very expensive car. The pleasure of driving a quality solid built large car is most satifying when your used to cheaply built economy vehicles. The gas mileage has been surprisingly good (21 to 28 mpg) for a large car. My wife bought a new Buick Regal in 1990 that we drove until last summer. We then sold it and it is still on the road with over 170,000 miles. I may not buy other GM products, but I will buy another Buick.

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  Review on 04 Rondevous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Frank Wollam - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Mileage reasonably good, very good ride, excellent turning ratio and can seat 5 or even 7 very nicely. Blind spot on right rear not good, but fun to drive and overal very good and nice looking. We are quite pleased.

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  The best car Ive ever owned - 2000 Buick Regal
  By uknowimfreaky - June 19 - 12:55 pm

  I have four cars right now, and have owned many more. This Regal is a keeper. I bought it used and it has been through a lot of hard driving and virtually no maintenance. This car is the most reliable, good looking, well equipped car I have owned and it is a shame they replaced it with the LaCrosse.

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  Mix Feelings - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Raider - June 19 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I were looking for a family car (SUV) that was not too big or to small. When we saw the RDV in the show room we like the roomy interior and the 3rd row seat. The exterior could use more "looks" to it After three one month of driving the car the drivers seat began to make noises at every turn. After three months the rear view mirror fell off. Sure, the dealer fixed the seat and the mirror but who likes to take their new car Overall we enjoy the car but I wonder whether we should have asked for a longer bumper to bumper Warantee because it seems that we may need it!

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  Rides like a Buick - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By caltexan - June 16 - 8:57 pm

  Im 39 and my wife and I are both lawyers. We live in San Francisco. We have 2 boys, 6 and 4. I didnt want to buy a minivan so we purchased the Buick. Its nice, but rides like my grandmas car. I wish the ride was firmer and sportier. I went with a Buick because I wanted to buy American. I hope the next time around, if I go with Buick, I will be less disappointed with my decision. On the plus side, it parks just about anywhere and has a nice ride. Also, get the 7 seat option. Without the 3rd row, Im not sure its worth the money. On the downside, its a gas hog. Youd think GM would see the big picture and put more hybrids and efficient rides on the market...