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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  Premium Motor Car - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By somerton - February 28 - 3:40 pm

  In 30 years driving, this is clearly one of the highest quality vehicles that Ive owned or driven. We purchased it in 2003 with 110,000 miles and weve run it to 216,000 miles. Its regular use is inner-city Philadelphia driving but it tackled multiple trips to Chicago, Jamestown (western NY), Toronto, Boston, and Florida. Saw 29 mpg hwy on 35 psi tires. Repairs have been: All brake cylinders, calipers, master cylinder, and ABS unit, PCM, compressor, blower motor, temp control module, tie rods ends, motor mounts, wtr pmp, starter. When the math is done for all repairs, maintenance, and inspections, it comes to $.10/mile over 10 yrs. Not bad for a $2,500 investment up front!

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  JUNK - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By hcrobie - February 27 - 3:02 pm

  I bought a lesabre a few years ago, it was used so I didnt expect it to be in perfect condition but it was in pretty good condition none the less. After driving it for only a couple of months the transmission started acting up so I took it in. The transmission had to be replaced and they actually had to install it twice because the first one was "defective". Two years later and only 50,000 miles later I had to have the transmission replaced again. It seems as though the transmissions they chose to install in this model are just expensive junk. Other little things have been breaking down since then, ball joints, blower motor for the heat ect.

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  Think Twice - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By buckeyebob2 - February 19 - 4:04 pm

  If you are like me, the car looks appealing, gets good mileage for its size and seems to be a good value. The ride is nice, the power is a sacrifice for the mileage....but Im only getting 31 mpg....not the 36 advertised. Finally the straw that caused me to write this review......the spare tire. How does a $30k car not have a spare tire? GM is cutting corners at the expense of its customers. I called to order a spare and the retail cost for the tire kit $550...are you kidding me? This is not acceptable and will ultimatley come to bite GM is the butt. I will never buy another GM car because of this one experience and Ill tell everyone I know...GM is all about $$$, not loyalty.

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  Brand New, Love it Already - 2013 Buick LaCrosse
  By jimjjr - February 18 - 7:58 am

  I traded in a 2008 BMW 528i on this model and thus far love it. The interior fit and finish is every bit equal to the bmw, and it is more comfortable and quiet on the highway than the bmw was even new. I was able to get it equipped exactly the way i wanted to, with the driver confidence package, entertainment and navigation package. It helps that Ill be able to get it service locally, rather than driving an hour to a bmw dealer. The look of the car is awesome and i hope that ill have luck with it. While the rear visibility isnt great, the blind spot monitor is very good and the V6 has terrific passing power. My friend, who is 62, was able to sit comfortably in the back. Awesome car

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  my 2010 Buick Enclave totaled in electrical fire - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By fire5 - February 14 - 12:58 pm

  I have an attorney because of all the electrical failures. Then last night as I was driving home the car shut off and went up in flames.

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  What a buy! - 2011 Buick Regal
  By cbbll - February 12 - 9:33 am

  I was looking for something with better gas mileage, stylish, and relatively roomy. I looked at several differnt options and never thought I would consider a Buick. When I drove this car, it instantly reminded me of our 09 Audi A4 with the way it handled. Of course, the acceleration doesnt quite compare, but it can still move right along. The black on black is very sharp and as a young professional, my friends and co workers laughed at me when I said I bought a Buick. That was until they saw the car. Now everyone wants to drive it!

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  Buick Hits a Homerun - 2013 Buick Enclave
  By john178 - February 11 - 9:08 pm

  Have had our Enclave for 1 week and absolutely love everything about it. The interior is much more plush than the 2012 model. The quiet cabin is as advertised. The ride is so comfortable it is hard to describe. The led rope lighting on the doors and dash are classy. First time we got the articulating headlamps and this actually helps enlarge the area of lighting when turning. The rear entertainment system will be well used by grandkids. The Intellilink is user freindly and awesome. The spaciousness for all 7 seats is impressive.

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  In search for a perfect urban family vehicle - 2013 Buick Encore
  By gluzdov - February 9 - 11:36 am

  Picked up this emergency upgrade from a 2006 Scion xB on 2/7/13. As I heard, xB upgrade was some of Buicks engineers purpose for Encore design. This review is my first impressions. So far, I hate one and only thing: bling. All Leather Group Encores that were available right now had chrome wheels and you cant change it. This is an addition of $1,000 to the total car price that was forced down my throat by some schlub on Buicks payroll who decided thats what the first batch of Leather Group Encores should have. There are other decorative, non functional "design" elements that I am learning to tolerate. Fake plastic hood vents are not cool, despite what the hoodlums are saying.

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  Decent Car - 2001 Buick Regal
  By bburden - February 7 - 1:46 pm

  I have had a Buick Regal Ls for the past year almost. Since we have had the car, we have had to replace the driver side & passanger side window regulator. Not so bad, but then our throttle decided to mess up. We still have yet to fix it & I would love to have my car back. Anyone know what that could be? Wont go over 35mph right now because of the problem.

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  Decent - 1999 Buick Century
  By combatdoc - February 6 - 7:48 am

  Inside is boring as others have stated, nothing outstanding. Bought with 42K miles on it. Does start every time. Have had issues with intake manifold gasket 2 times. $600.00 each time to repair. Some bands in tranny broke at 142,000 miles, around $750.00 to repair. Went thru tires like water thru a siv. Had to have EVERYTHING replaced including struts and mounts. Have replaced every window motor, now 2 more are out. Replaced egr valve. Seems everything carbons up quickly, just have to make sure to use a good quality cleaner every thousand miles or so. At around 60,000 miles, anti-freeze jelled up and have to have radiator replaced, heater core removed and cleaned. cruise control broken.