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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  real luxury suv - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By roxanne - August 11 - 2:00 am

  the quietest suv i have driven,plus it runs smooth .and it rides almost like a buick park ave on the interstate.plus its easy to park and a real fun suv to drive.the 6 changer cd works great the heated seates plus lumbar really make it enjoyable on long drives,its so quiet on the inside it makes you want to fall asleep

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  Very good car - 1992 Buick Regal
  By Crush - August 7 - 2:00 am

  This was a perfect car in every way but the brakes. It ate brakes and the manufactures knew it. I would get 20- 30K on new brake pads and it was back to change them.

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  BUICK BEWARE - 1998 Buick Century
  By chgostu - August 7 - 2:00 am

  CAR BROKE DOWN WITH 36 k MILES...BAD ENGINE, BAD BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS DIDNT WORK. (DESPITE BEING MAINTAINED AT DEALERSHIP)

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  Comfortable Cruiser - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By d2004 - August 6 - 2:00 am

  Ok so unlike most kids with their Civics or trendy Beemers, i chose a nice used LeSabre. I like it because its all-American, solidly built but not ostentatious, and the interior is comfortable and roomy. The handling isnt great but straightline is decent. The trunk is great, and the price was right. I might have chose the Grand Marquis but it wouldnt fit in my garage, but this is slighly better on gas. Overall im pleased, its much better built than my familys newer Chrysler products. I dont understand why anyone would choose most japanese midsize cars over this.

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  First Time Buick Buyer - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By brad110 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Quality of finish and fit is very good. Ride is good, but vehicle feels a little top-heavy.

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  New Experience - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By longo - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this 2004 Rendezvous for 2 weeks now and Im extremely disappointed. As a matter of fact For a car with a sticker price of $38,400 the car is horrible. The ride is noisy & sounds like youre sitting in a hollow drum. The fuel gage fluctuates dramatically, leaving you unsure of how much gas you have.I guess you have to be on flat ground to tell for sure) The power steering pump was defective from day one and has yet to be fixed. Ive been told repeatedly that there is nothing wrong with the fuel gage. I would not recommend this car to anyone, its not worth the money

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  Nothing Beats a Buick for Comfort! - 2002 Buick Century
  By crhayes - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I love Buicks because they are the most solid and comfortable ride than anything Ive driven. Anyone who has driven my car says it "floats"! The only disappointment is the style..it never changes! In my book, Buick is top notch!

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  It makes me smile - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Steve - August 1 - 11:56 pm

  I understood the Cascada was an Opel, introduced about 3yr ago. As such, I realized that the electronics and safety features would not match my wifes 2016 Subaru Outback with the eyesight pkg., an outstanding and versatile wagon. What the Cascada does is it makes me smile. Style, great. Handling, the HiPer Strut up front and Watt Z link rear suspension makes a taunt but comfortable ride. The top goes up and down quickly and at a reasonable speed. Economy, town about 20 mpg hwy - filled up in Dallas, two stops, cruse control @ 70, and arrived in Conway Ar. with 33mpg. Very happy. Seats, adequate. Nav., again probably 3 yrs old. Nice touches, rain sensing wipers, and heated steering wheel. The car is quiet for a convertable, and the sound system is great. The car is a cruiser, and designed for a sunny day, with the top down, traveling down two lane back top roads in Arkansas, (insert your state). It will make you smile. At the end of a year, I still look forward to driving the Cascada. Absolutely no mechanical problems. Minor annoyances, cup holder area is too small for two full sized cups, and the device too hold either doors open is not strong enough to stop them from trying to attack my shins. Truthfully, this has been a problem with each two door car that I have owned. But...... If you are ever on I 40 in western Ark., and see the exit to the "Pig Trail Scenic Byway", take the top down and enjoy. I did. The eventual prize is Eurika Springs, a great destination. But the most fun is in the journey.

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  My New Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Doc - August 1 - 6:26 pm

  Easy to handle and a pleasure to drive. The Harmon-Kardon radio with XM is fantastic

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  Dont buy it! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By D.B. - August 1 - 2:00 am

  This expensive SUV is a dog with a jerky GM transmission, shoddy interior construction, high body repair costs, wrose-than-usual SUV rear blind spots, and a "tippy" high center of gravity. I inherited this from a relative, had to have a deep, long scratch on the drivers side repaired (total cost over $5K), and then traded it in (in excellent condition after repair, with low mileage) for $3000 less than Blue Book. Why do you think theyre giving $5000 rebates on the 2005s? Nobody will buy these things, and I wouldnt be suprised if they are discontinued soon. Its an Edsel, folks!