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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  Buick Rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Cpik - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I love this SUV! I have owned it for 8 months now and have not had any problems. The ride is smooth. The features are excellent. I love the dual function heated seats and the in- dash 6 CD changer with XM radio. The sound system is incredible. Everybody that sees this SUV loves it. I get compliments on it all the time. I am planning on getting another one when this lease expires. I highly recommend it!!!

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  Not much to B**** about!! - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By dudpar - September 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Lesabre I traded my 97 in on this 2004. I would still be driving the 97 but it had transaxle trouble which started at 40k miles and lasted until I traded at 85k. Hope the new one does much better in the tranny department. The new Buick is very nice, like the ride better than the 97, although I dont think the new cloth seats are as comfy as the 97. So far very good gas mileage about 28.5 mixed road and town. On steering wheel radio controls are nice.

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  2017 PURCHASE - 2017 Buick LaCrosse
  By David Quast - September 13 - 10:29 pm

  RIDE QUALITY IS HORRIBLE. BAD CONTINUOUS VIBRATIONS IN DRIVERS SEAT. TIRES POUND THE PAVEMENT. NO COMPARISON TO MY 2011 LACROSSE TRADE-IN. COMPLAINED TO DEALER. SHOWED SERVICE BUILLETIN #03-03-10-007J. TIRES GET A FLAT SPOT WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN, AND SHOULD BE DRIVEN AT LEAST 15 MILES TO GET RID OF FLAT SPOTS. SUGGESTED BUYING NEW MICHELIN TIRES FOR $900.00.

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  Love the Regal ..... - 2004 Buick Regal
  By nlebanks - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Had a 1999 Buick Regal and loved it..... no problems, thus I went back and purchased another. For a divorced gal that I am I need something that is DEPENDABLE!! I had only 25,000 miles on my previous Buick Regal, but it was time to get a new one. Thank you so much!!

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  Overall satisfied - 2005 Buick Century
  By Thm. - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Great all around vehicle, not happy about city gas mileage.

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  Great Ranier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Bay Island Company - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance, quiet car. Very comfortable seating. Could use a few more storage places.

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  Love my Rendezvous! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Spendarella - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I had the opportunity to drive a Rendezvous as a rental vehicle and fell in love with it. The ride is more like a car than any other van or SUV Ive owned/driven. The interior was designed by women and its very roomy and comfortable. The dealer was very fair and forthright and gave me an excellent trade in on my existing vehicle and a great price on the new Rendezvous. We loved it so much, we went back the next week and traded our other vehicle and bought a second one!

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  Buick (and GM) is back! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By ccaats - September 6 - 6:56 am

  We have had our new Enclave for 2 weeks and couldnt be happier with our purchase. We have 4 children and this vehicle is the perfect vehicle for families who want versatility and prestige. The performance, ride comfort, interior space/comfort, handling, features and "WOW factor" are more than we could have imagined. To top it all off, the build quality and fit-finish are even better than anything on the road today! And for thousands less than Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, Land Rover, BMW....etc. It is time for the renaissance of the American Automobile....and the Buick Enclave is the flagship leading the revolution!

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  Rainier all its supposed to be - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By kuba - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Rainier for 6 mos. now and am EXTREMELY satisfied with it. Its powerful, smooth, and quiet. The engine is terrific delivering good torque from a standstill. Its 50-70 mph acceleration is good as well. Fuel economy has been good for an SUV, about 19 mpg combined city/hwy. It also has been incredibly smooth and quiet, the most car-like ride Ive experienced from the various SUVs Ive test driven. I had a Toyota 4Runner before and was going to buy another or a Nissan Pathfinder before a friend suggested I look at the Rainier. I was skeptical at first, but after looking at it and test driving it, I was convinced.

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  Very nice Ride - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Carola B Wingert - September 3 - 2:00 am

  We had our Lasabre for 2 years and 3 month now.We never had one problem with it.It is a very reliable,a very good car that has style.It is comfortable and is easy on gas.We drove 1300 miles from TX to VA and not one stiff bone in our bodies.