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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  Rendevous Review - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By michigan701 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle! There is so much rear seat room...3 seats , yet easy to park...all kinds of utility..to haul things too...Shelton Pontiac Buick is great..

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  Quiet, Solid, Spacious - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By J.R. Kent - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Our Rendezvous CX-Plus all-wheel-drive has very low levels of road and engine noise and is incredibly smooth -- a merciful reprieve from our noisy 2001 Accord EX. Interior is well thought-out and a nice place to be. Seats are the most comfortable Ive ever experienced over long distances. Interior is multi- configurable, has lots of space and a flat floor. Handling is secure. Suspension damping could be about 5- percent stiffer to cope with large road undulations at highway speeds. Gas mileage on a recent 900-mile road trip was 22 mpg at 75-to-80 mph with air conditioner running.

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  The Best SUV - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By velyna - September 20 - 7:06 am

  In only two months of using my Rendezvous I am very satisfied with the perfomance. Everything in this vehicle is wonderful. I drove my Rendezvous here in Puerto Rico and feels real good.

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  truly a buick - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By bcock - September 18 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive comfortable gas milage could be better

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  Exceeded my expectations - 2005 Buick Century
  By Alan1 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Well, I had reserved a compact car to drive to Yellowstone from Saltlake city, but they ran out and gave me this Buick to my big innitial disappointment. I wanted a small gas efficient car for my trip. My best friend got a Ford Focus at the same time. Well, we took out the cars and hit the road at night, inside the Buick looked almost exactly like my Dads old 1984 Cutlas Supreme. The ride was cushy, very quiet and the car felt somewhat underpowered. We drove 150 miles, and the next morning we pulled up to a gas station. To my utter surprise, the Century needed 2 dollars less than the Focus to refill the tank.

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  happy again - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By k.c. - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Im happy to say that my daughter shall be driving my 90 lesabre now named realiable red after 14 years of service to me! I just love The 04 that I bought in April, that has been given the name Black Beauty I look forward to another 14 years of sevice with this car,along with not spending alot of money in repairs over the years just as I had with my old realiable.

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  Luxurys best value - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By 3rd Owner - September 16 - 9:10 pm

  The electronics will go out on you and expect to pay a few hundred to fix (rear defrost, seat adjuster). As everyone says, 30+ mpg highway (I once averaged over 38 on a 150 mile trip!) but in the city its a dog, Ill get anywhere from 13-21 in the city. I think it looks great, and the sound system is amazing. Buy it if you want to be spoiled without burning a hole in your wallet.

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  Good Deal - 2014 Buick Verano
  By RichardC - September 16 - 11:35 am

  This year and model was rated #1 in its vehicle size by the U.S. News & World Report. I searched and found our 2014 Buick Verano 4 door sedan with low miles and a good price. I Like my car!

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  swexperience - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By swexperience - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Have thoroughly enjoyed driving this vehicle over the last 2 years. Handling and Fuel economy are better than I expected. Pleasure to drive and like all of the storage room. Plan to buy another one (to replace the one Im in)in the next couple of months

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  98 Buick Century - 1998 Buick Century
  By Jeanette5241 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my second Buick Century and have enjoyed a very easy to drive, comfortable (Mny folks ask "what kind of car is this"after theyve been riding in it awhile because they notice how comfortable it is to ride in.) My Dad drives this as the "errands" care and my 15 year old neice has just started to learn on it -- she prefers it over our mini-van for ease of driving. Very solid and dependable.