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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  3rd Century owned - 2002 Buick Century
  By D Miller19713 - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the 3rd Century we have purchased. 1st one new. Put 186000 on a 1986 model and 160000 on 1992 model. Other than normal maintenance no major problems. Just love this car.

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  A bargain - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By JJB - December 23 - 1:10 pm

  What an impressive vehicle for the price. Current LeSabre and Park Ave owners will feel at home, yet the quality is far superior. I have owned both the LeS & Park, and the Lucerne is priced about $5000 below those cars comparably equipped. Very quiet, excellent quality, looks substantial. I encourage anyone who thinks that the Toyota Avalon is the only game in town to do themselves a favor and try American!! The car is larger than it appears in pictures. I have only about 100 miles on it, but I reset the fuel economy calculator when I picked up the car and have averaged about 28.5mpg. The V-6 is even smoother than before, and the stereo is excellent. Great job Buick!!

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  2000 Regal GS - 2000 Buick Regal
  By ArthurT - December 23 - 2:00 am

  After 3 years, still an enjoyable car to own and drive. Supercharged engine was worth the extra $ for GS model. Interior is comfortable, if a bit uninspired. Monsoon stereo is a nice extra. Overall, a solid compromise providing sportiness in a practical sedan.

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  rendevous, sweet suv - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Gary L. Christner - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I was hesitent, before I Purchase my 2003cxl rendevous, because the review of the 2002 model was average at best. I have owned it for five months now, and love the vehicle. I have put 7,900 miles on it in seven months, highway and city driving. I have experienced no problems during that period. It is great around town for a vehicle that size, and has a very short turning radius. Easy to park, good pickup, power to pass and fun to drive.

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  A winner by any measure. - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Aheadofmytime - December 22 - 5:33 am

  Ive spent the last 3 years mostly in a Camry and was generally pleased except that the Camry is hard to get in and out of and, frankly, is just not that comfortable. I was looking to buy an Avalon which is a better car than the Camry but decided to first test drive the Lucerne CXL. I bought the Lucerne the same day. Honestly, I dont know how they can make it so good and sell it so cheap. I would recommend anyone in the market for a new car to check this car out. I am extremely satisfied.

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  average but lifesaving - 1997 Buick Century
  By littledude30542 - December 22 - 2:00 am

  My grandmother owned this car since new. She kept it flawless and super clean. The car was problomatic at first having an electrical faiulure . All the guages conked out but after that great. But december 2003 she was involved in an accident . She passed out and crashed through a red light but thankfully she survived ,but the car was totaled. But the car was not as bad shape as i thought it would be in .

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  Start/Stop Nightmare From China - 2016 Buick Envision
  By Peter L - December 21 - 7:16 pm

  This SUV has many great features; however, they are completely off-set by the horrible aspects. It is the poster child for technology gone amok! The "start/stop" is awful! I leased weather was torrid (90+ every day). It "shut" down every time I stopped. The air conditioning stops working and it makes a clunking sound when the engine re-starts. Since the weather has become cold, the start/stop doesnt kick in any more? I enquired at the dealership if this "feature" could be shut off which they didnt know which is typical for them. The backlighting on the dashboard and media panels automatically adjusts to changes in the exterior light but doesnt work properly and will dim so much that they are unreadable. This "feature" can not be turned off and per the dealership this is a complaint of many owners but Buick does nothing about it. Gas mileage is awful at approx. 18 mpg combined city/highway and I drive conservatively. My previous car was a Buick Verano and I loved it but this vehicle was twice as expensive and I hate it. My last Buick!

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  Buick Pegal lS - 2002 Buick Regal
  By gator - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Best sedan iver ever owned. Powerful, comfortable and reliable. Loaded with features. Easy to drive. Classic styling. No mechanical problems. Surprisingly good fuel economy.

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  Great Car - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By think tank - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, mine is solid black which gives it a super clean sleek look drives and handles like a dream, steering is super tight

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  2004 Buick Regal GS - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Robert Bauer - December 20 - 2:00 am

  The Regal is a stable, reliable, good looking intermidiate size four-door sedan that gives you pride of ownership, along with every day utilization. The GS model package comes with a 240 HP supercharged 3.8 V-six, touring suspension and Goodyear Eagle tires that gives the Regal an impressive performance feel and handling. I previously owned a 1995 Regal for 5 years that had not one problem during that period demonstrating its reliability and quality of workmanship. The Regal final assembly is in Oshawa, Ontario Canada.