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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  Turning Raidus - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By John Gangemi - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Good car. However, turning raidus is horrible. Difficult turning in parking lots. Much needed improvement is required.

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  great suv - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By W. Conrad Richards - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Rendezvous for 3 weeks now and think it is great. Im so happy that we made this choice. My wife is tall and likes lots of leg room and this SUV has plenty. The salesman said that we could take a test drive for a couple hours (imagine that) to see if it was the right car. Well we drove for an hour but had made up our minds in the first 20 minutes. What a quiet comfortable ride. We couldnt be happier.

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  Luxury Car with Economy Price - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Grant R. Walborn - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I especially like the automatic locking of doors. The power features are excellent. The car rides and handles well. The exterior design makes it a fine appearing automobile.

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  Expensive, quality problems - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By ltdangel92 - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Wind Noise. The battery in the back seat. Small Mirrors. Wind Noise @60+mph. seats not comfortable and need to give more support. elcetrical problems.

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  98 buick century - 1998 Buick Century
  By sully39208 - June 15 - 2:00 am

  i had transmission replaced at 80,000-- mechanic told me general motors had trouble with this transmission because it was olds siliohette and chevy lumina- -better transmission parts were put in-- suspension "floats"--recall on head lights--still have trouble driving at night--my vehicle is canadian made

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  Buick LeSabre Custom - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By NuRsE - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive just bought the car two weeks ago. It provides a very soft ride -- almost feels as though it "floats." It is very agile and, one has to pay attention to the speedometer -- I found myself going 70 mph on the entrance ramp (uphill) to the Interstate! I am very pleased with the gas mileage, considering it size.

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  Mighty Mouse goes to the Opera - 2017 Buick Encore
  By Hebert Morris - June 14 - 6:45 pm

  I have driven and owned everything from Mercedes , to Mini Cooper S to corvettes , seriously I have. With all that said I needed a vehicle with some cargo space and awd. I am very impressed with everything about this car. The interior is appointed nicely and the control layout is user friendly. The car handles very well and I had no problem getting on the speedway here. I love the car and I am suprised just how much I do. Its as they said not my Fathers Buick.

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  Great value - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By tgchew - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle for the price. Only lack is power. Very comfortable. Needs a few more gee-gaws, like GPS.

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  Avoid this car - 1994 Buick Century
  By slittle - June 13 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was in the shop a lot. In the time we owned it, we spent $2,400 on repairs. We replaced the starter, the alternator, the radiator, and the list goes on and on. It only had 76,577 miles on it when we bought it. It fell apart soon after.

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  Good...so far! - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By jackalous - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I have only owned this car since February and I have had two problems with it. First the climate control stopped working. Found out it was the CC panel inside the car. Disconnected it and the car was on its way. A week later the car suddenly died on the side of the road. Had it towed home and monkeyed with the alternator (took it out and put it back in about 6 times!) and now it works! I dont ask questions anymore, I just bought roadside asst instead!