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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  We got this vehicle for our grandkids. - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bob De - April 28 - 6:56 pm

  My wife and daughter looked at at least 8-10 other SUVs and this was the one they wanted. It rides like a full size car on the road. Great for the hold family, lots of room. This is a great vehicle. What you get for the money is out of sight. The engine is OK if you dont race, has a enought power for us. I will buy one again

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  Rides like a rock - 2017 Buick LaCrosse
  By Scott H - April 28 - 6:25 am

  I have a crimson red premium with the 20" wheels and tires. What a mistake. I drove the 18" version prior to getting mine and it was a floater. This one, equipped with RE97s rides like a go kart. And in sport mode it feels like you have no suspension at all. Now true, Im a sporting sort of guy for an old geezer, but this car rides harder than a Vette or Z/28 that Ive owned and its not in the same universe as my Pontiac G8 GT. At 500 miles I replaced the tires (at my expense) with Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 and that helped a little. It still doesnt cure the issue that the suspension tuning is way off the charts. Its never still, never smooth. Going to the dealer service dept. tomorrow, but I highly doubt theres anything that can be done as its just the way the car is. True, big wheels, but still a 40 series tire just like the 19s" on my G8. Why can the G8 ride light-years better on far more aggressive tires (RE-11s)? Other than the above, no complaints. Update: I did take the car to the very helpful dealership because GM wouldnt talk to me unless I did. Checked out nothing wrong and to spec as expected. I also got a chance to drive another new one with the 20" wheels and tires with the hyper-strut and adaptive damping. It was just as bad if not worse (as it had the OEM RE-97s). Ive asked the service manager to run this up the ladder with GM regional service folks to see if we can get engineering to take notice. Hard to believe that they put this car out in the captured test fleet and this wasnt noticed, especially on Detroit streets. Update at 1,300 miles. Now that Im getting a few miles on it, the suspension isnt quite as brittle as it was before. Just got back from a 500 mile trip to the Detroit Auto Show where cruising at 80 mph up and back I got 30 mpg or just under. Detroit city streets took the edge of of the ride a bit. Its now in the range where I can tolerate it. Comfy seats for long trips and extreme quiet help. I got up there much more rested than past trips. I may end up liking this car after all.

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  A good vehicle! - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By john - April 27 - 5:21 pm

  Moved up from a Skylark..love the Rendezvous 108 cu ft cargo-alot more room than the Lexus, Acura, or Magnum wagon. Got fully loaded CXL with sunroof for $24k. Is a good deal. No problems- rides like a luxury car and is fun to drive

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  My Buick Rendezvous - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By John - April 27 - 1:24 pm

  Seems to be very well built compared to other autos I have purchased, So far, Im very pleased with the overall quality and performance of this vehicle. It rides quieter then the Cadillac we also own.

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  2002 Buick CXL AWD - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Ralph A. Lia - April 25 - 9:14 pm

  This vehicle is a great everyday commuter. It The ergonomics are just right. My biggest dissapointment with the vehicle is that the power is marginal. The 185 Horsepower engine is just adequate. It rolls along smoothly and leisurly. The vehicle will let you know when it has to work hard to pull up a hill. The heads up display should not be an option. The gauges tend to get hard to see during the day. I have not had any problems with fit and finish of the material. I would like to see better materials for a vehicle in this price class.

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  Excellent Design - Excellent Performance - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By MB - April 25 - 5:30 am

  The crossover is well designed, is living-room quiet, and handles very well. Fit and finish is excellent and there are no rattles or squeaks. The ride quality is superb.

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  Rendezvous is a hit - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bob Dixon - April 25 - 2:00 am

  The Rendezvous is a very responsive and comfortable car to drive in the city and on the interstates. Seats are comfortable and the controls are ergonomically great for short and long trips. Lots of room and very good gas mileage.

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  Our Ranier - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By jim & Lou - April 23 - 11:35 pm

  Just completed a 6,000 mile trip with this vehicle. My husband and I both remarked how easy the SUV was to drive. As though it just glided along the hiway. With the air supension in it no matter how we packed the stuff in it, it always evened itself out and was the most comfortable ride we have ever had. We traveled thru mountains, deserts, plains, large cities, small cities, 4 lanes, 2 lanes, and every type of road imaginable and the vehicle just seemed to adjust to the road and conditions by itself. My husband is 6 foot tall and this is the first vehicle that we have purchased that his head does not touch the top of the car and he has plenty of room for his legs also. We are happy with the Rainier.

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  Not anything like my Regals! - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By dino - April 23 - 4:03 pm

  Missing many of the standards on past Buicks. They have cut corners on everything. Will consider Japanese car next purchase.

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  Had to buy 2 of them - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Ed Kildoyle - April 23 - 11:15 am

  I bought one for myself and my wife liked it so much she wanted one of her own so we now own two of them. We both love our Rainiers as they give us the luxury comforts and the features of a mid sized SUV. They are very quiet with a comfortable ride especially on long trips. I have the V8 so the pickup is very good and unless you take turns at 80 miles an hour the handling and performance is more than satisfactory. I wish it had the rainsense wipers I had on my Cadillac as well as the backup warning system. Other than that we love our Buick Rainiers.