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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  Our 97 Skylark - 1997 Buick Skylark
  By 1819suny - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle in 2003. We all really liked it. However, one year later in 2004 it needed a new water pump. Imagine my surprise when I was told that the cost to replace most water pumps was about $150.00 but because of the way they built this car (quad 4 engine, a very poor design), it would be $640.00! Not only that, but any future repairs would also be very expensive as you practically had to take the engine out to get at anything. Our car repair service would not even look at it because it was so expensive to repair. They told me I would have to take it to a dealer. Well, as much as I liked this little car, I sold it that day!

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  Rainier a good choice - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By MHBACH - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I test drove the other intermediate sized SUVs Trailblazer, Envoy, and found the Rainier the smoothest and best buy of the three. Most comfort and comfort features.

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  what a nightmare - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By fed up - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Ran fine for a year. Six months ago the plenium cracked and broke, head damage, $1,000 to fix. A month ago, explosion, crunch and a piston connecting rod was shattered (its about an inch thick of solid steel - imagine the force of that explosion!,) pieces through the engine-$1200 estimated to fix. My husband decided to tackle it - car was entirely apart when we got the recall from Buick that fuel adjustment guage was defective. We found fuel in the vacuum lines & that little part caused this. Since car is apart & we bought $500 in parts to fix, dont want to tow it to Buick. RUN SCREAMING from this vehicle.

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  Enjoyed my LaSabre - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By P Howell - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I got a good deal on a two year old LaSabre. I wasnt quite ready to shell out the money for a new one and I liked the trim package on the 97(limited). I was disappointed that I had to replace the trans @ 70k but it was such a nice car I knew I would get my monies worth out of it.

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  2000 Century - 2000 Buick Century
  By martin p - July 21 - 2:00 am

  No problems so far, its a car that wears GM title with honor.

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  FIVE YEAR REVIEW - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By JOE D - July 20 - 10:00 am

  EXCELLENT VALUE EXCEPT STEEP DEP [RECIATION

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  Nice Ride, but needs more power - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By wiseone - July 18 - 2:00 am

  The car provides a very smooth ride, but needs more power, especially during initial acceleration when trying to merge into traffic thats moving faster (like freeway entrance ramps). Would prefer if the rear captains chairs didnt have a headrest as the headrest on the right passenger side entirely obstructs the drivers view and creates a dangerous blindspot. Was also disappointed in the fuel economy. The Rendezvous gets worse gas mileage than my Chevy Silverado V8. For the money, though, you get a lot of bells and whistles.

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  I never thought Id buy a Buick! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Tencjedd - July 17 - 3:20 pm

  This car is hands down the classiest looking large crossover/suv on the market. Fully loaded with the 7 passenger seating this car is nicer than a Mercedes GL or R Class. I never thought Id buy a Buick, but after istting in this car and test driving it, we knew we had found a winner. GMs 100K mile warranty makes ownership hassle free. Other reviewers have mentioned it, the car would benefit from more power, but then again, gas isnt going back to $2/gallon anytime soon, and for around town theres plenty of power. How many people are going to drag race with this car anyway. Second row bucket seats make 3rd row access easier, and really make this a hands down winner it its class!

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  Buick Value - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Wdyer - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Overall this is a great value with the current rebates. Surprised about a few things though. No hydraulic lift for the hood? Even Rendexvous has this. Too much plastic. Faux wood. Unexciting instrument panel. Poor range of low beam headlights. WOW! What a quiet vehicle and great ride!

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  nice buick - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bobby663 - July 14 - 4:53 am

  nice buick that shows much promise