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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  Decent ride, lots of repairs though - 2000 Buick Regal
  By faststrat02 - September 10 - 8:27 pm

  Where to begin. Pros first: -Car drives wonderfully on the highway, sometimes see 28-29 MPG. Not bad for a 3.8 -A/C is ice cold (when it decides to work) -3.8L V6 generally is a solid motor Cons: -Window regulator is out on passenger right side (common for this car). Unfortunately, Ive had to put quite a bit of money into this car. Where to start: -Struts all around/upper strut mount -Replaced both valve cover gaskets, tensioner assembly -Tie rod ends replaced @ 80k -Replace Hub bearings/front axle (both sides) -City gas mileage is horrendous. Ive yet to see over 20mpg. Average is 15-17. Good car for highway travel, but NOT ideal for commuting.

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  Leaking Sunroofs and Whinning Steering - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By kcosom - September 10 - 5:53 pm

  This vehicle is very attractive. "Certified" hah. I purchased it last summer, which it rarely rains in the summer. Unfortunately one rainy day my passenger notice rain coming in mainly from the sunroof and rear interior lights housing, I noticed it in the front, dripping from the visors housing. Apparently the design of this vehicle was not thought out regarding leaks. To top it off the warranty states that leaks are not covered, as if the maker knew it would leak. Not only the leaking the steering in now whinning each time I turn. This vehicle has been one dissapointment after another. My first Buick and possibly my last, sad to say. Mechanic states need inner/outer tie rods:(

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  Disappointment - 2012 Buick Verano
  By texas38 - September 4 - 4:30 am

  I bought this car with high hopes that its looks would reflect its performance. I was and am still very disappointed. Within the first 1000 miles I started to notice that it was not only relucant to accelerate but struggling by jerking like the transmission is about to drop out of the car. The spoiler has broken off twice now and when I drive over anything but a smooth road the car rebels by sounding like the 96 saturn that I drive to work. To say its a rough ride is an understatement. Also the interior scratches very easy. Everyday I see new marks and we dont have small children nor any pets that ride in the car. Lastly, the seats are already bubbling up in the center making it look old.

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  Definitely worth the money. - 2012 Buick Verano
  By newcarnow4 - September 2 - 10:17 pm

  I have to say I was very much on the fence with this car. It was get a Toyota or go back to Buick. Ive had two other Buicks in my lifetime. After researching on Edmunds and test driving I went with the Verano. So far I have been very pleased. This is an incredibly nice ride and the options you get for the money paid are amazing. Now the gas mileage seems average and the back room seat could be bigger, but this really is a lot of luxury for the price and I am happy in the end I got it. If you are undecided give it a test drive. Smooth ride and handling, adequate power, lots of bells and whistles put me over the top.

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  Great car for the money - 2012 Buick Verano
  By fredh1 - August 31 - 2:34 pm

  Ive owned it for 6 mos. After I bought it, I learned that this is the best selling car in CHINA. So, GMs built likely a million of these things by now and I think theyve got it down. No problems whatsoever so far, rare for a first year model. Likes: VERY quiet smooth autostick tranny fast enough for any legal driving GREAT handling (tires on this small car are same size as my former 300C Special) OnStar (they do Everything!) fold down rear seats: comfort/interior appearance. Best integration of tech systems of all current Buick models. Dislikes: Short legroom reat seats (but OK in a pinch for 4 adults) needs full power on both front seats cheap looking ext. fender seams.

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  Nice Couch on Wheels - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By chevelle68 - August 31 - 2:23 pm

  My 95 Lesabre has been in the family since new. I use it as my daily commuter to save gas and miles on my other gas thirsty trucks. Overall the car has been reliable. Other than the usual wear items (a/c, brakes, etc.) Ive had to replace a cheap plastic water fitting at the intake. And the ECM started acting haywire, but a junkyard computer for $50 solved that problem. Its not a "fun" car, but its cheap, reliable, and I get a solid 20 mpg with town and highway driving, Almost 22 on all highway driving. Easy to work on and parts are cheap.

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  Heads up - - 2012 Buick Verano
  By johnpac - August 28 - 1:47 pm

  I bought my Verano in April, 2012 - I really like the comfort, especially on long drives, and the styling compares with cars several thousands more expensive. However, I would warn you, it is a bit under-powered - not scary weak, but not quite as quick as, say, a Camry. Also, within 2 months I noticed black soot at the tailpipe. Its been looked at twice by the dealers service mgr, who says he called GM about it, and there is little that can be done because it has to do with valve timing. I dont think this qualifies as a "LEMON"-type deficiency, but it is a disappointment. If you can live with cleaning the tailpipe every couple weeks, take a hard look at this car.

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  Best car ever made! - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By porcelinasoma - August 25 - 12:21 pm

  I bought this car nine years ago for $500 with about 130,000 miles on it. It was an awesome deal for reliability and I seriously got my moneys worth out of it. It had some problems due to age and my lack of money to keep it maintained as well as I should have. The radiator system began losing freeze plugs one after the other, and it had a cracked intake manifold, so I was constantly filling the radiator. With better maintenance, I would have had fewer issues. The car is tons of fun to drive and handled better than any car I have ever driven in my life. This cars body is so strong that I drove it home safely after a tree fell directly on top of it in a storm, and it ran like a charm.

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  Enclave To Many Problems to List - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By veryunhappy4 - August 20 - 4:29 pm

  Without going into great detail, I’ll list some of the problems with my 2009 Enclave. Power steering went out parts where changed, Timing belt was adjusted then replaced, Transmission adjusted at least twice, Car rolls backward in drive, (Unable to be corrected) per GMC, Engine problems, A/C smells musty, later: A/C working properly, Shorted out turning signal and reverse light, Sun roof leak, Exterior doors-laminate peeling off, Bench seatbelt locks and can’t be used, Paint peeling off of buttons of radio and a/c controls, Very loud cabin noise when back windows are down, these are some of the issues I can think of off of the top of my head. I stopped counting my return trips to the repa

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  Nice step up from my Subaru - 2012 Buick Regal
  By classicgeiger - August 19 - 1:27 pm

  Wasnt sure that I wanted a Buick for my next car, but had to at least take a look at the GS bc it is a beautiful car. After 1 month of owning the car I love it, handles amazing really gets up and gos when you need it to and is just as nice to sit back and cruise in. Went with all the toys on this, including the 20s. Makes it just that much more of a great car. And the H-K sound system is pretty pretty pretty good. The only reason I didnt give it 5s all the way is bc I have had issues w/ my Navigation and iPod.