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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  Luxury at a great value - 2013 Buick Verano
  By ck61 - January 9 - 10:09 am

  I just have my Verano for about a month now and Im very impressed. My ruby red color attracts a lot of attention, and shows off the cars great lines. Great finishes in the interior as well looks like a more expensive car. Very comfortable seats for 4 and big trunk. Car loaded with features. More than enough acceleration. Very happy with my selection!

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  Disappointed with the 2013 Enclave - 2013 Buick Enclave
  By briansal - January 7 - 5:03 pm

  Back in 2008 the Buick Enclave was a work of art, a revolution in cross-over SUV vehicles. Unfortunately, I do not feel the same about the 2013 Enclave. Buick did add some features, but they also removed or downgraded some important things. The big selling point of this vehicle was supposed to be the Intellilink system with enhanced navigation, but then they made the touchscreen smaller than before? Other things like Pandora, Stitcher, Photoviewer simply do not work. Are they really selling a $50,000 vehicle that isnt even compatible with an iPhone? Are you kidding me? There is also an occastional low rumbling noise in the engine manifold when the vehicle is idling at a stoplight.

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  Most expensive total repairs on any car ever owned - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By mikomb - January 5 - 4:57 pm

  We have put almost as much in repairs into this car in the past 10 years than we paid for it, slightly used. At 130K miles has had the following replaced: 2 transmission rebuilds, $5k. Entire front end rebuild, $1.2k, 6 window regulators, $2.4K each at street value, engine computer, $400, hydraulic engine mount, $300, UCV joint, $400, all new wheels needed, $600. Rusting is unbelievable. Car rattles peretually during acceleration, shakes horribly at high speeds. Feels like a 30 year old car. Dash is completely separating and folding up in front of windshield. Numerous other repairs. Interior plastic parts falling off. Of 3 Buicks owned, each one literally fell apart (rust, bumper, trans)

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  200,000+ miles, still going strong - 1997 Buick Regal
  By ihanson - January 2 - 4:56 pm

  I inherited this car from my parents as they moved on to a newer vehicle (Volvo S60). Weve had it in our family for about 10 years now and its served us well - I just ticked over 201,000 miles this week and the car still runs great. Even though the car is 15 years old, it still has most of what I want in a car: smooth ride, nice pick-up when needed, reasonable MPG (25 combined, 27-28 hwy), leather, sunroof, premium audio (aftermarket), seat warmer (aftermarket) and nice handling in winter weather. One funny note was that I recently visited the junk yard to look for a spare part (armrest) and all of the Regals were newer than mine (1997), hehe. Guess they last if you take care of them!

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  Had Enough! - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By onedognight - December 31 - 8:06 pm

  I bought the new Buick LaCrosse Prem. 1 last November and have tried for a year to get used to the poor visability, the front end scaping on driveway everytime I left or came home, raking the the paint off the nose of the car every time I parked in a space with one of those parking "stops" and knowing that if i have a flat tire somewhere unsafe, I have no spare. I researched this car for six months before I made the purchase but there was no way to know about the blind spots and how low this car was to the ground. It was beautiful but I traded for something with better visability, higher off the ground and a spare tire! Will not miss it!

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  GS my dad would love - 2012 Buick Regal
  By rodmunch1 - December 30 - 11:26 pm

  traded my 2012 lacrosse tour ed. for the GS. half my friends said i was nuts. the car guys, though, get it. the lax. was great and i miss the extras but the fun factor is now off the charts. the sport mode make shifts as fast as you would expect for a non sports car. brakes and suspension in sp. mode also react instantly. i still havent figured out what the GS mode does. the ride seems rougher in GS mode than in standard mode. the mall parking lot "GAWK FACTOR" unreal. people really react to this car. every gas station visit someone complements the car. i wish it came with a/s tires instead of summer tires. the reason for not all 5s is the seat is too small for my butt

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  very pleased with my car - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By dave03886 - December 29 - 2:22 pm

  I bought this car last year with 96K miles for $9000, the car was driven by the owner of the dealership. And had been maintained very well. I had the evap sensor replaced and the ABS sensor repaired, 4 tires and front brakes, and regular oil changes. The ride is comfortable, and not sport handling at all, through very predictable road manners. fuel mileage is 18 town and 25 Highway. The car also has side airbags. I have 120k miles on it now and expect to keep it awhile and put many more trouble free miles on it. The engine has a timing chain and not a belt, also the engine is 3.8 with the improved steel intake that prior GM had trouble with leaks. This was the last year for the new version.

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  Owned since new in 2005 - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By drjayz - December 29 - 10:02 am

  Have a long history of good Bbuicks, so when it became time for me to haul grandsons to hockey and loads of food and gear to the cottage, I wanted a van with AWD. I love this vehicle and would have bought another if GM still made a replacement. A few problems that dealer handled well: flush rear AWD transmission due to whirring noise on sharp turns, Rt front wheel bearing, front brakes after 4 years-not bad, after 7 years remote start/doors key FOBs quit - still working on that one. Have 100,000miles including 2 trips to South Mexico-beautiful to drive at 75MPH for hours. #1 issue: same DVD stuck in 2nd row player since 2006 . In 2012 drive heated seat has a hot spot - may be a short?

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  The Money Pit - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By almc224 - December 27 - 11:12 am

  I many years in driving cars and working with the, Ive never seen a money pit like the Buick LaSaber. It has caught on fire three times. while Im driving on the freeway. No accessories can be used or you will have to run for your life. Weve been always a Buick fan...until now. Never again will we buy, rent, or as to lend a Buick. GM...RIP.

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  A bad investment I still want to love - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By fortiter - December 16 - 9:14 pm

  The Enclave is a great car and I do not like speaking ill about it, but our vehicle has been very disappointing in terms of reliability. We thankfully purchased it under warranty at 30K and it required a new power steering pump, rack and pinion, a radio, and other minor repairs all covered under warranty. Since then, several issues have come up which were not under warranty. The moonroof was leaking and require an $800+ repair for a new seal and replacement of some of the drainage channels. The heating actuator failed to the tune of $400+ in repairs. I was quoted a cost of $200 to replace the key FOB which went bad. Overall, not what I expect from a "luxury vehicle" in terms of quality.