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:

• 

  Maintain your Buick !!! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By people - November 17 - 6:15 am

  My 2004 Buick has 168000 miles on it. Ive replace the right front hup, put two sensors on it and it will pass inspection tomorrow. Flush the transmission at 100,000 miles keep the oil changed sooner than the book says, keep the tires in check. Best driving, riding SUV Ive ever drove.

• 

  Buick LeSabre Custom o.k. - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Nellie Pratt - November 16 - 3:20 pm

  Downfall of this vehicle is all four motorized windows have torn up. Transmission has to be replaced. Continually reads low tires no matter what you do, change, rotate, etc. of the tires. Body of vehicle easily dents, especially on the rear bumpers, absolutely no leaning on the vehicle. Otherwise, good driving, good gas mileage. Good for older adults.

• 

  WHAT THE FREAK!! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By EVE - November 15 - 6:07 am

  OK. Single mom of 9 buys a nice "reliable" vehicle to accommodate kids to events, school, shopping, etc. Car had problems from the jump. Dealership replaced Heating/AC system faulty at purchase. Car had a few in between issues covered by warranty. OK, warranty over. Car had starting problems. Im not recession skipped, but mechanics want to get paid to diagnost problems. They say no codes appear. Towed to dealership and they "think" its fuel pump. Want MAJOR money, right? Drove vehicle out to ser station, "Go Figure"! They say not fuel pump, fuel filter rather. Started. Walmart changed air filter. Started and went home. Home, dead again. Is CRAZY a bad thing these days?

• 

  Not what we expected - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jonathan - November 14 - 8:05 am

  When originally shopping for our family SUV we never expected wed end up with a Buick Rendezvous. However, after seeing so many SUVs with the boring dark gray interior we finally looked at one and fell in love the with spacious interior, comfortable captain seats and smooth ride. A year into ownership we started experiencing issues. Both wheel bearings went under 60,000 miles costing $400 each. Break pads and rotors had to be changed every 6-9 months because they kept warping (another pricey repair). The handle on the rear hatch door broke as well, making it harder for my wife to close. The nail in the coffin was the transmission starting to slip at just 71,000 miles!

• 

  LaCrosse LaCrosse - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By marymaep - November 9 - 10:27 am

  brought this car with 31,000 from a dealership. with about 40,000 miles it had to be taken in for some sort of air conditioning problem. it stunk when you turned it on. yuck. now im seeming to have a problem turning on the dang car but could be a minor problem. all in all ive been pretty happy with my buick lacrosse besides those things.

• 

  Not loyal anymore. - 2017 Buick LaCrosse
  By James - November 8 - 7:21 pm

  I was sad to learn that I would have to spend $40k just to get leather seats. Also if I want the nice "Bose" stereo I would have to buy a "package" that would include Navigation and a bunch of other useless "safety" features you really dont need if your paying attention. They dont put michelin tires on their premium sedans anymore. Really? Im done with GM. I currently drive a 2015 lacrosse. I really think they took the wrong direction and that new gear shifter. Its the same one that they put in the Cruze I think.? I am now looking at the new Continental. They have little "package" games too. If you compare a loaded Lacrosse which is $50k to other competitors I think the decision becomes much clearer. If I am going to spend $50k on car it isnt going to be a Buick. Sorry GM.

• 

  Buick Enclave - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By gym131 - November 6 - 8:00 am

  Poor gas mileage(14/20)miss the keyless entry buttons. Other than that, nice ride with plenty of passenger and cargo room.

• 

  Im not old & gray but liked the Park Av - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By MLMB - November 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven my Pk Ave for 6 yrs, and enjoyed the comfort ride, many perks, fuel economy and size. Wrecked it and got good front end protection (I totaled the full sized pickup truck I hit!). Large trunk is great. Didnt like the suspension - the bottom drops hard in some cases. Also huge expense at 120,000 miles for repairing the plastic intake manifold $1300!! Common problem according to the mechanic, and they no longer use plastic, he says. Only selling it to get a car large enough to handle our dog kennel!

• 

  2009 Buick LaCrosse - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By Scott - November 4 - 8:13 pm

  My first Buick was back in the 50s not sure how many I have had since then. My purchase of the 09 LaCrosse was to replace my 01 Buick Park Ave, Ultra. At the time of purchase I tried both the Lucerne and the LaCrosse. I should have purchased the LuCernne. why? 1. Leather, very hard 2. Gas and heat gauge should be reversed 3.Heater and AC Controls( buttons) very poorly designed. 4. Headlight beam selector on the turn signal is a joke, more like an off and on switch. Also, turn signal indicator is much to loud. 5. Center Council is another poor design, unable to rest right elbow on it because it does not extend far enough forward. 6. Door pockets to shallow.

• 

  my tank a 1992 Lasabre - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By The Big E - November 1 - 1:46 am

  i got this car a present from my parents for my senior year of high school. it is a rocket with a big thirsty engine that goes like hell. the shocks are completly gone so it feels like a roller coaster when driving around and makes a lot of understeer in the turns but i also drive a little fast. the anti lock brakes do not work so i have to pump them to stop but over all it is a good tank that will get me from place to place and if i get into a wreck the cars size will protect me. the only bad thing about it is the gas millage i get about 15-18 in town and 18-21 on the highway.