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:

• 

  Glad I bought it! - 2004 Buick Century
  By J. Roy - October 14 - 2:00 am

  So far, its exceeded our expectations. Having traded a 1989 LeSab. Limited w/ over 150,000 miles on it and having no major problems, we figured wed keep the 1989 Park Ave. (over 84,000 trouble free miles) and go for the Century.

• 

  Excellent - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Hans Grasman - October 14 - 2:00 am

  My last 4 cars before the Buick Rendez Vous were Cadillac Deville. A real senior buyers car. I chose the Rendez Vous because of my active retired life style. I need to move sail boat stuff from Nashville to Charlotte Harbor Fl. for my seasonal vacations and transport my grandchildren in town. My grandchildren say that Opa drives a cool car! The car drives like a Cadillac Deville

• 

  Buick Regal Limited "Roadster" - 1990 Buick Regal
  By RocketCityRam - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Even though Im over 61", I find the car plenty roomy and theres a lot of room in the back as well. The fuel usage is good, the accessories are incredible for a car of this class and year. Its so much fun to drive. The ride is good. My car has 109K and I just put new rear struts on it. Boy what a difference. I cant wait to do the front.

• 

  2000 Lesabre - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By psheno - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Great power and ride

• 

  Buick Regal - 1996 Buick Regal
  By Jadorf - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Excellent riding, handling, comfort qualities. Extremely good pickup very peppy. Excellent visibility. Best free-wheeling vehicle Ive ever owned.

• 

  My Buick LeSabre Custom, 2003 - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By DonLeVine - October 12 - 2:00 am

  The car is Ok as a transportation vehicle but it lacks the improvements in the Limited version. The audio system of the radio is bad and the tone controls are not effective. The climate control in the limited version of the car is much better than the manual control in my custom version. The gas mileage is just awful for driving in Boca Raton, FL traffic.

• 

  My new 2004 Company car - 2004 Buick Century
  By trent101 - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. My company pays for the gas but the car seems to get descent gas milage. Very comfortable. I also have a 2003 Mercedes C320 so I know. I would have liked to have the option to get the satalite radio installed for comercial free music while driving. Overall I am very happy with this car. Bravo Buick!

• 

  had some problems - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By mom M - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I loved my rendezvous when I first got it, but Ive had some problems. I had to replace the transmisson, the body modeular for the electrical, those are some serious issues. The dealership has been great however. I am thinking of looking at the 2004s

• 

  BUICK LS BY RDB - 1999 Buick Regal
  By reddog - October 10 - 2:00 am

  WE WERE OUT TO BUY A TOYOTA CAMRY OR A HONDA CRV. THE DEALER HAD THIS BUICK IN THE USED LOT AND ASKED IF WE WERE INTERESTED WE WERE. DROVE IT AND LOVED IT.I AM 6FT 3INCHES 260 POUND MAN IT FITS ME LIKE A GLOVE.FUEL MILEAGE HAS BEEN 24-25MPG COMBINED MOSTLY IN TOWN.

• 

  Last Buick Standing - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Last Buick Standing - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Until last February ... My husband and I have LOVED the Rendezveous! NOW --well you judge....7 months/8 major problems 1) Just under 45,000 miles we had to replace the front Wheel Bearings - 2) and consequently all the tires. 3) The Transmission went - MAJOR bits and pieces in the oil pan 4) the clutch was replaced 5) the clutch was replaced AGAIN 6) the air conditioning went-something about a cracked block 7) The gas gage no longer works 8) After noting a strange noise when turning a tight circle we have now been told the Rear Wheel Differential needs to be replaced for $4000 -- if not repaired we have been told that the rear wheels "could" lock