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:

• 

  AWEOMSE - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By ShabanuK - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY CAR, so much better and not to expensive

• 

  Major engine problems - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By rahni - June 12 - 2:00 am

  LeSabres 2000-2004 are made with a phenolic resin intake maniford that warps and leaks antifreeze into the engines cylinders - basically blowing superheated steam into the combustion chambers. The factory-recall fix (put locktight on 3 bolts) doesnt work. According to a factory trained mechanic, many engines have had to be replaced because of this cheap construction. Also, "permanently lubricated" tie-rods wear prematurely and have to be replaced at low milage. Plastic window grips on electric windows break easily.

• 

  Go ahead, buy that Buick!!! - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Love that 3800 - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Being a former Chevy fan, I have learned to love Buicks since the purchase of my first, a Park Avenue, in 1997. Not having a large amount to spend I bought the car with 127,000 miles on it. The engines are amazing, just change the oil and enjoy the ride. Very reliable Buick :)

• 

  MY RAINER IS TRULY A "TIGER!" - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Sheila Williams - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Buying the Buick Rainer was originally my husbands idea. Having driven a Pontiac Sunfire for three years, I thought the Rainer would feel "too big" for me, although I needed the space of a SUV. However, the minute I took it for a test drive, I knew I was hooked!!!

• 

  Excellent ride - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Southern Driver - June 7 - 9:47 pm

  It is hard not to like this car. Nice design, comfortable rise, and easy to use ragtop. I live in the South and have lots of opportunities for top down driving. Looking in the rearview and passenger blind side is tough but no worse than the Dodge Challenger I traded in. Best features are the front visibility and ease of putting on and taking off the roof. It also has a quieter ride than expected.

• 

  2004 lesabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By tet - June 5 - 2:00 am

  this is your poor mans cadilac

• 

  Not worth the money! - 2012 Buick Verano
  By Anthony G. - June 4 - 11:57 pm

  Ever since owning this vehicle, the warranty doesnt cover alot of parts. Transmission is bad. Stalls alot. Electronics just shut off. Ac fan varies in speed. Very, very poor acceleration to pass cars. Handles great though. First time ever owning a buick and certainly the last time buying one. My overall opinion is that car is junk. Shame american makers cant get it right. Im buying a foreign car this time. You can look up on google how bad these cars are. DO NOT BUY BUICK!!!!!

• 

  Not an old persons car! - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Redwood Falls, MN - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 2002 LT TrailBlazer 4x4 which was hard on gas and had various problems. My Buick was excellent in our Minnesota winters-never got stuck once with outstanding handling on snowy/slippery roads. Dealer found the exact car I wanted with side air bags. My LeSabre has the early production fabric seats that are much richer looking than the current fabrics offered. I would buy another Buick.

• 

  great mid-size sedan for young family - 1997 Buick Century
  By Mike U - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Been great, despite perception of "old mans car". Havent had any mechanical/electrical problems at all. Comfortable ride & front seating. Back seating (knee room) can be tight for adults/larger teenagers (it is a mid- size, not full-size, sedan). Good in snow. Handling is fine for everyday driving. Test drove Nissan Altima same day and there was a big difference going around curves in favor of the Nissan. Century had more rear headroom, softer seats.

• 

  My park avenue - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By Supercharged me - June 1 - 2:00 am

  This vechical is safer , Faster, more reliable in any situation then anything in its class. The Lincoln and Cadillac may have a V8 but this supercharged v6 does 0-60 in 6 seconds. My family and myself love to travel in this vechical and we have had no problems with it so far. I love Buick, its a family legacy.