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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  Nice car for the money - 1993 Buick LeSabre
  By Dimitris - March 29 - 2:40 pm

  Really nice car, big enough for going around with friends, comfortable enough for long trips. Big engine keeps you satisfied with good acceleration and enough torgue. The handling is what would be expected for such a comfortable ride, meaning you have to be careful when speeding and/or making turns. Reliability wise, many parts are failing after the 100k, but mostly what to be expected. Since, $1000 per year should be kept aside to fix it. A known discoloration issue that has devastated many similar Buicks has not skipped mine, and now the car looks like having two colors... :-) Still a very nice car that will take me places comfortably and affordable for a student nowadays to buy.

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  Cant wait to trade it in - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Wendy - March 21 - 11:06 pm

  I traded my Aztek for a Rendezvous because I needed more room. I have had the car into the dealership on the average once per month for problems. A/C went at 30,000K and I never use it. Wind noise on drivers side is annoying on long drives, brakes are less than desireable, electrical problems and fuses blowing for no reason are annoying. The vehicle has never left me stranded however the other problems have been annoying and inconvenient. The cheap interior is starting to detriorate. Tires cause wobble on turns and needed to be replaced. Heater motor blew up at 10K. All was under warranty but that does not excuse the inconvenience. Truck has 69K on it and thankfully I have extended coverage.

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  Very Sorry I Bought this Vehicle - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By nbv362 - March 8 - 6:44 pm

  I have had many problems with my 02 Rendezvous. Had to replace wheel bearings on both front wheels the first year. Luckily no one was injured while the dealer tried to figure out what the rumbling noise was each time. The heater/AC blower had to be replaced. Now I need all the gaskets replaced before the engine seizes. I will never buy a first year production auto again. The dealer says I should have bought the extended warranty, but the warranty on the Rendezvous is just not long enough.

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  The good the bad and the truth - 2001 Buick Century
  By curtis lear - March 3 - 11:11 pm

  I like the looks and the good gas milage. The car rides good for a mid- size. There are lots of extras that make the car convenient to drive. But there are many blind spots that make it difficult to see to the side or back when trying to shift lanes. The car lacks power but is sufficient for any one who is not in a race. Take heed to those who say transmission troubles appear about 65000 miles. They are telling the truth.Be prepared to spend $1500-$2500 on another transmission. Other than the expense of a transmission you may have a dependable car.

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  OK, would not purchase another - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Niki Whitt - February 18 - 1:16 am

  We have had our Buick in the shop SEVERAL times - for everything from brake problems, to a water leak, to a leak in the seal around the fuel tank. Im not sure if all the problems are with the car or the mechanics at the dealership. Buick has been of no help what so ever. I loved the look and feel of the car when we bought it but after all the trouble, I will never buy another.

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  Transmission Problem at 5000 miles! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Little Lady - February 17 - 2:06 pm

  Bought my Enclave because I needed an SUV that had seats that adjust for small adult as well as large. I am the small adult in the family and still have to use a pillow to see over the dash! Nice color brown exterior and dark charcoal interior. Drives like a tank, very heavy metal. Shifting is not right, hence transmission problem. Low road noise with windows closed but then need the AC recirculating feature to stay on in every setting, not. Overall, a good luxury SUV for a big person not sensitive to exhaust and polluted air.

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  Terrible in the Snow - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Frank Grimes - January 30 - 4:53 pm

  For a vehicle with a $38,000 plus price, you would expect it to drive very well in the snow. This SUV does not even drive well in 2-3 inches of snow. The back end wants to slide all over the road. You would be better off and safer driving a car front wheel drive car in the snow.

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  Needs Improvement - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jgolafson - January 18 - 4:13 pm

  Good value. Nice features when equipped with Luxury Package. Steering vague and imprecise; worst tracking vehicle ever owned. Underpowered, needs 3.5L or 3.8L engine. Tailgate too heavy. Seats have poor lateral support.

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  1993 Buick Century - 1993 Buick Century
  By Beegee - December 4 - 7:26 pm

  This car was great for the first 50,000 miles but after that, it seemed to require a great deal of expensive repairs. Too bad, as its a comfortable, heavy-duty vehicle.

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  Never new GM car again - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Manuel Ruiz - December 1 - 10:00 am

  When it first came out, we like the minivan and SUV features included, so we bought a brand new one on Jan. Had trouble finding a good dealer, and sales was good. Then we found out how easy it can roll away into an accident. At first nobody knew of the easy towing feature that caused accident, so some help was volunteered. But when we try to get help from GM for cause of accident, everybody from the dealer up to GM headquaters became mean and blamed us for misinformation. We are waiting for the recall!!. Now only 30K and a wheel bearing had to be replaced and electrical problems pop up. Pay it off and worry it is a PIECE.