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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  2000 Regal GS great value - 2000 Buick Regal
  By mobill - November 8 - 11:49 am

  I bought my 2000 Buick Regal GS in June 2004, with 114k miles on it, only have had to replace the supercharger belt and serpentine belt, this car has lots of power, very comfortable, and gets 35+ mpg on the highway. An awesome combination of luxury, comfort, and performance. running with Mobil 1 synthetic oil, the motor uses absolutely zero, zilch, nata oil! What a machine!

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  Just 2 weeks old - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Poppy J - November 7 - 6:30 pm

  We had 2 Park Avenues before this LeSabre and this car has all the features for almost $6000 less with the exception of the back up sensors in the rear bumper. The car was sitting on the lot for many months, probably because of the Red color, but Red is what I wanted. Because of this, the tires could not be balanced, so 3 new tires had to be ordered, also the radio had to be replaced because some of the features did not work. My dealer is an excellent dealer and took care of the every complaint without any problems. This my third car that I purchased from them. Now the car is a dream, but I dont know what to expect in the way of gas mileage. Being a 04 leftover, I also saved $10,000.

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  Rented it for a week - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By voodoou - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I liked the vehicle except for ONE thing. The lift gate. I have a DUrango and when I want to close the tailgate, I just barely push it down and its own weight will close it tight. However, the Rendezvous has some kind of funky slow down and probably 8 out of 10 times I closed the tail gate, I had to reopen it and slam it closed. Pain in the bum.

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  the ideal car - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By DAVIDD251 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Exilent! Best SUV in history!

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  Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By paul - November 7 - 8:23 am

  The Lucerne is the quietest and smoothest riding automobile I have ever owned in my 50 years of driving. It glides along with ease and the Northstar is powerful and quiet.

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  Rainer - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By abr - November 6 - 9:34 pm

  My Buick Rainer is loved by both my husband and myself. We have had zero problemswith it and have not been back to the dealership for anything. We have a V8 which gives more than enough power to tow our 5000 lb. boat.

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  A great car - 2016 Buick Regal
  By TJ - November 5 - 9:52 am

  Malibu lease was up. Looked at Buick and fell in love with AWD Regal. Beautiful, sporty, solid ride. MPG is a little disappointing but AWD is worth it to me. The car handles superbly.

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  Best Car I ever had - 1994 Buick LeSabre
  By TerryK - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Sure, the Lesabre may not be the coolest car or the sportiest, but it has never let me down. The ride is unbelievably comfortable, the seats in these older cars are much more comfortable than Buicks new seats. The 3800 engines are bulletproof, and is probaly the main reason I had went with this car, owning several other GM 3800s.

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  great - 2000 Buick Regal
  By pjw - October 30 - 2:00 am

  great I love this car best one I have ever owned. I will buy one again.

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  Unsatisified Rendevzous Owner - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By one bad SUV - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This was my first SUV and Buick. Had a bad sensor the same day I bought it so I couldnt drive it home. A couple days after I got it I noticed it had a delayed starting problem. Took it to the shop 4 times and they found a bad PCV( related to computer system.) They replaced that and I still had the same problem. At times I didnt know if it was going to start or not. Only had this SUV 2 months. I traded it on a Honda Accord. I just hope its not a lemon like my Rendezvous was. Never want another SUV by Buick. They make better cars than SUVs.