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:

• 

  Buick - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By goodguynva - July 10 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is much more quiet than its brother and siste GM mid size SUVs. The technology is full blown and could be somewhat confusing to anyone not used to pushing buttons without word descriptions above them. I would rate the ride as above average but if youre looking for a really smooth ride, you may want to move up to a full size SUV. (GM product of course!)

• 

  BUICK RANIER - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By fred FROMI - July 10 - 2:00 am

  EXCELLENT TRUCK, VERY COMFORTABLE AND THE EASIEST TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE 5.3 V8 HAS GREAT PERFOIRMANCE

• 

  EXCELLENT - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By rmnord - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Wifes car and she loves it. She had a 2002 Bravada and really liked it , but the Rainier much better. The V/8 is much better than the 6 cylinder, the ride is smoother and it is quieter. It is just a richer looking vehicle.

• 

  Rendezvous - fun to drive - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By benchdex - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive great on long trips versatile holds 6 people comfortably Stylish well thought out storage Exceleent visibility through large windows

• 

  BOOGEY WOOGEY - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By HANK LEESE - July 10 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE IS THE QUIETIST I HAVE EVER OWNED, HAVING PREVIOUSLY OWNED OVER 30 AUTOMOBILES, RECENTLY PRODUCED 28.3MPG ON A 370 MILE ROAD TRIP AND PROVIDES MY 64" , 290 LB. BODY LOTSA ROOM AND WHILE HAVING THE SMALL ENGINE IS NO SLOUCH. I CAN HONESTLY SAY IR REALLY LOVE IT AND HAVE RECOMMENDED IT TO ALL MY FRIENDS

• 

  Bynum - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Harris Bynum - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Beautifully finished car, good metal & plastic finishes, very quiet for a SUV, good safety features

• 

  First Buick - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By mikeee - July 10 - 2:00 am

  We have kids and allways bought mimi vans for the cargo space. Our kids are older so we downsized a little but this car has more room than we expected. My wife really loves it and we have had no quality problems at all.

• 

  Review of Rendevous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By bogiegolfer02 - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Rendevous as previously I had a 2002 model and have never had any problem with either car. Also really enjoythe onstar feature.

• 

  performance - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By GBJ - July 10 - 2:00 am

  comfortable and easy to drive

• 

  A Lemon - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By kallee3 - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Too many things had to be repaired or replaced before normal life span. Felt I was always getting screwed by service department.