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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  A winning design for an American Co. - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By jrhilarioUS - December 26 - 1:40 am

  A remarkable overall exterior design that get a lot of attention. People stop to check it out, walk around it and give an approving nod. Even double check the Buick name on the back in a pleasant surprise. And thats just from 0 mph on the parking lot. On the road is another story. This Buick Enclave is a sure candidate to be a classic, well engineered inside and out. Its design elements all blends together appealingly devoid of any offensive lines and/or bulges like most other vehicles. This SUV is pleasant to the eyes. As for performance, it could use a few more horses, otherwise it is a well equiped and capable SUV. Maybe shedding a few lbs will do the trick. Bravo Buick!

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  My Wife LOVES it! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By BuickGuy - December 24 - 4:42 pm

  Weve owned over two dozen cars and this is the ONLY car my wife ever LOVED. Why? its the SUV experience without the SUV truckiness. Versatile, endlessly useful, drives like a baby carriage and good on gas, too. "The SUV with sanity" is how she puts it. No problems so far.

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  Feels like a new 1996 Geo Tracker - 2016 Buick Encore
  By TheManInDboX - December 23 - 4:34 pm

  The seats are hard, the seating position is terrible, and you cant see out of it.. I have had the little SUV now for the past 3 days due to my Volt (which is a complete pile of garbage) being fixed again.. During that time i can say it is pretty good on gas, but the transmission is jerky, there is no snot at all in it, meaning it wont get out of its own way.. the seats are too small, i am thin and tall, but the seats are way to short and too hard.. making it feel like you are sitting on a pick-nick bench. The audio controls require a degree in computer science to figure out, nothing is labeled well, the steering column plastic isnt straight, and there are noticeable creaks and rattles when you hit bumps.. (The Loaner has 395 Miles on it) There is NO storage at all in it, there are nooks and pockets to store things around the driver, but the rear of it where you would put groceries, or other shopping things, or even a baby stroller, there is simply just not enough room back there. As per handling it may handle well, but it feels top heavy when you hit a corner which doesnt leave much confidence in the handling ability. Good: The BOSE stereo is amazing.. sounds fantastic.. The look of the materials makes it seem like a high end vehicle.. I mean until you realize, they are cheaply made.. Gas mileage seems pretty good for a small SUV (Very small) Bad: Fit and finish Seating position is hard short Seats The telescoping steering wheel is worthless it rattles You cant see out of it, and the parking sensors indicate you are too close at nearly 2ft from something Its slow (The Volt feels like a corvette in comparison) Its expensive (There are a lot of MUCH better options for less) Due to its shape you cant get anything in the hatch area Controls arent well laid out..

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  Rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By dedapr - December 22 - 6:34 am

  Very responsive and fun to drive. The V8 gives enough power.

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  My Favorite Vehicle - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tim Granger - December 21 - 9:29 pm

  Comfortable, well laid out for a tall individual. With 6k miles the gas mileage has not improved. Sticker states 18-24 only averaging 18 on highway.

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  2004 Rendezvous CXL AWD - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Schnauzer - December 21 - 10:10 am

  Just bought this car because of the year end closeout and rebates. Got an awesome price. This is my second Buick. So far, so good. The space is great and all the features that came with it are really functional and neat. The 3.5L or 3.6L engine should be the standard. The 3.4L is now old technology. It feels like a very safe vehicle with all the airbags and crumple zones designed into it. I got the fold down third row seat which is handy and recommended.

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  WOW What A Car - 2000 Buick Park Avenue
  By cbs - December 21 - 10:00 am

  The 2000 Buick Park Ave is one of the best cars Ive owned. I have put 160,000 miles on this auto and have done nothing but regular maintenence. I did replace the front shocks at 130,000 miles. No mechanical breakdowns at all.

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  Fantastic car - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Ray Walters - December 20 - 10:55 pm

  I have purchased many new cars but have never been so totally satisfied with any car as I have with this Rendezvous. Of course we would always want better mileage but, other than that, this car is a ten all the way. The Navigation system, On Star, built in cell phone, heads up display, back-up sensor, foldup seats, etc - all make this car of the future here today.

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  2000 Buick LeSabre Limited - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By nexcen - December 19 - 9:43 pm

  One of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. Maintenance has been due to normal wear and tear, and no substantial maintenance to date.

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  The End of an Affair - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Robert steinlauf - December 19 - 12:00 pm

  My 40 year affair with Cadillacs ended with my purchase of the 2010 Buick Lacrosse. The car is proof that Government Motors can build fine cars that are fully competitive with Europe and Asia. The first day I drove the car I came out of a supermarket and found a young couple busy photographing my silver gray CXL. the styling of the car is so fresh that it is a pleasure to look at. The chrome hubcaps are beautifully designed . The sunroof is large and well integrated into the interior roof. I found the ride at 70mph on the interstate to be most comfortable. Around town its fun to drive.