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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  Shame on GM - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sposse - May 24 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is severely underpowered considering the poor gas mileage I get with it. The interior is nice and spacious. The passenger rear door often doesnt close properly and hasnt since the day I bought it. GM says its an air pressure issue?!? Finally, I had the roof rack rip off at 40 mph loaded within owners manuals specs. Again GM claims no responsibility.

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  buick la sabra - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By john ortoleva - May 9 - 2:00 am

  enjoy driving it handles good comfort is great power is sufficient

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  Iron out -problems took five years - 1996 Buick LeSabre
  By D.G. - May 6 - 2:00 am

  After 105000 miles, we have solved most of the problems with our 96 Buick. The worst problem has been the suspension in the rear. The ride in the front seat is fine. But the rear seat bottoms out and is a very rough ride over the least little bump. I returned the car to the dealer with no solutions for the rear suspension. We also had to replace all the tires three times within five years because of the suspension. We were finally told to have the tires rotated every 6000 miles( by a tire dealer) to solve this problem. Also problems with the engine light.

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  Never Again - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Jbuck - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Having driven GM cars for over 30 years this is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Transmission, Power Steering Pump/A/C Compressor/Steering Column/Tie rods/Wheel Bearings/Now ABS & Traction Light is on. Only redeeming features are a fairly solid engine and good gas ecomomy. Buyer Beware!

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  Car grows on you - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Don - March 22 - 3:16 pm

  Hard for me to get use to tight steering handles very good lots of power very quiet inside easy to see out of moves around in traffic and parking lot very easy lets you know if someone is behind you so you dont hit anything fun to drive . Mine is a 2016

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  disappionted - 2000 Buick Regal
  By vsal - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Too many major repairs: steering rack and air pump at 55K, rear wheel hub assembly and wiring short at 60K, dashboard light switch at 72K and transmission trouble (unresolved as yet because it will require removal and disassembly) at same time. Also, some weather stripping comes loose as does one rear door inside panel.

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  Lots of used car for the money - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Buick Guy - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the car with 76k. Ergonomics and controls are lame for such an expensive car, but still lots of used car for the money. I have driven about 1500 miles so far. This car is no sports car, but for a large sedan, power is ample (205 hp) and handling seems secure. In my mid 30s and it has surprised me how much people have commented to me that I bought an old people car. Buick has a serious image problem. Neverthless, I prefer to drive something different from the typical rat racer.

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  An All New Buick? - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By oaa9898 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This may be an all-new Buick, but its really just a rebaged GMC Envoy. The interior plastics are too low rent for this class, materials in the Lexus are much better. The car has been in the shop 3 times in two months, so much for reliability. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) SAFETY ratings are also VERY LOW, so much for the "solid as a rock" feeling that one reviewer described. Dont fall for the marketing hype, it may look pretty, but the quality, and more importantly the safety, is not up to par with the competition. Another thing to consider is the price, given the expected resale value of this SUV, it is overpriced.

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  New Buick Enclave - 2016 Buick Enclave
  By Hank W. - February 29 - 2:11 pm

  This car is larger than most so called midsize SUVs. Electronics at this trim level may be intimidating. You wont be able to instantly use all features without reading the owners manual,...several times. There are very few features the cares does not have. Its loaded. The only complaint so far with the electronics is the navigation system. It doesnt understand my southern dialect. Half the time I have to manually key in destinations as opposed to speaking them. I hope that time will enable the system to learn my voice. Creature comforts are impeccable. Seats are a little stiff compared to my Town Car but I expect them to loosen up over time. Leg room is the best out there, bar none, particularly the second row seating. Even the third row seating is adequate for relatively short trips. Noise levels are on a par with most luxury cars, quiet. Power is adequate for a vehicle this size but will not snap any necks. So far, fuel economy is on the low end of the manufacturers estimate, about 16 around town, 18 overall. I have only achieved 20 on the highway. so far I like the car very much.

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  Drivetrain problems - 2000 Buick Regal
  By The Car man - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I am disappointed in the lack of dealer support and by the transmission problems that I have experienced. The dealer always seems to be too busy to help. The transmission is having problems at 76k miles. The interior has been plauged by poor craftmentship (the flooring has come undone multiple times). Also, the gas guage has quite working and the dealer stated that it would cost $600 to fix. This car has not been a bargin.