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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  Best US Car Offered - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By David Durrell - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Good value for money. Excellent motorway cruiser, though ponderous in mountains. Excellent traction in snow and ice with FWD. Will return 29-30 MPG at 75 MPH. Big ticket items in drivetrain are flawless at 100K miles. Brakes need work more than I like, but parts are reasonably priced and its easy to work on. Had stiffer shocks installed which helped handling. Not a BMW, but a good trade off wrt running costs.

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  An Underated SUV - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By LenC55 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  When did an SUV mean a gas-guzzling 8 cyl monster that rides like a pickup and gets 10 miles to the gallon? SUV does mean Sport Utility Vehicle, and that is exactly what this is...and its a more luxurious ride than most For a family that has outgrown a van and wants something snazzy but still with the benefits of carrying kids n cargo, this is a great choice. The ride is luxurious, with ON STAR it is safe, and since im not planning on riding the Apallachial Trail the All Wheel Drive is more than adequate. This rides better than the Honda Pilot, the highest rated mid size SUV. Before you buy anything, test drive this. youll enjoy floating down the road.

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  Won us over to SUVs/cross over vehicles - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By P Caro - November 6 - 2:00 am

  With 2 children still in carseats-wed been looking for more room and definitely got it. Reliability- excellentcomfort-excellent.Its easy for everyone to get in and out of.3rd row comes in handy when traveling and having guests. I really didnt want to sacrifice luxury and a smooth ride for more space and we didnt! Definitely would suggest seat heaters with the leather interior-however!

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  Love my LeSabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By longwoman - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I love my new LeSabre, with the exception of getting into the console. The dealership had a little trouble getting the right remote keyless entry, the second one, but finally did it about a week and a half after purchase. I owned a 92 Custom for over five years, and there have definitely been some improvements made. I would buy it again. Its really too bad that color choices werent more readily available, or less generic.

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  Now that Ive had it a while - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Carl Losapio - November 5 - 6:40 pm

  I rated this car shortly after my purchase, and was optomistic about it. Now that Ive taken it on a 3k trip, I have some opinion changes. While driving it through mountains at 75 mph, I found myself fighting the wheel. This car did not handle well on curves. I felt unsafe driving it. I also noticed that the turning radius is forever. I have trouble pulling into parking spaces because it does not turn sharply enough. It does have enough power but just handles poorly. The cruise feature is the best but I have turned off every other feature because of poor design. Exit/entry feature was designed by a chimp. Seat retracts on exit, but not on entry. If you dont lock this car it stays retracted.

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  Safari - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By deannas - November 5 - 2:00 am

  We had 2 safaris and we love our Rendezvous. We have more cargo storage, and the gas mileage is excellent compared to the vans.

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  Love my Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Terie - November 4 - 9:03 pm

  We looked at the CX-9 and thought that was as good as it got, until we found the Enclave, which is a super sized CX-9. The Enclave is so much more though, we bought the 8 passenger seating, which we could not get in the CX-9 and it still feels like we have lots of space. I really enjoy the roominess of the front seating area and love the looks of the Enclave. This is the best vehicle we have ever bought and doubt we could top it anytime in the near future, we are spoiled! It was worth the six month wait!

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  Good vehicle - 2000 Buick Century
  By biloma - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I would buy another without a doubt. Not fancy, but comfortable and 33 to 37 MPG with air on. Great small vehicle

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  New LeSabre - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Bill Nelson - November 2 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR, GREAT RIDE, ADEQUATE POWER, EXCELLENT HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING VERY GOOD STEERING/ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE

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  Good Reliable Buick! - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By Buick Bob - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car for $5500 used in april of 2003, had 60000 miles on it.Interior & exterior in great shape. What a deal! I cant believe how well the original paint held up after these years, it looks new. The fit is better then even brand new cars. The ride is typical Buick , sofa on wheels.... This car is built like a tank!