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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  Not too good - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By cawa - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Well the car is piece of ... Radio broke at 50k, 62 Air Con. Broke. 75k Censort failed, Check engine light come on. The door panel at 40k came off.

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  inherited from wife - 2000 Buick Century
  By arrjr - May 11 - 2:00 am

  i inherited this car from my wife when i bought her a new trailblazer. she bought this car in 10/2000, and put about 28000 miles a year on it. the car is still comfortable and reliable. agree with the stodgey image comments, but its a lot newer than what i was driving (1978 GMC Caballero)

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  Why bother to replace it? - 1998 Buick Century
  By Brooklyn teacher - May 10 - 2:00 am

  First new car that I, not my husband, have purchased. Best car our family has ever owned: worry free, GREAT mileage, great acceleration for a non- sports car. Only now, after five years have we needed to repair/replace anything: tires, serpentine belt. Since you cant easily tell a 98 from a 2003, why would anyone want/need to buy a newer version. Kudos to GM.

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  best vehicle - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By chuck schoolet - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Overall this is the best vehicle most reliable car I have owned. The reliability is fantastic. We have often travelled with 4 adults and 2 pre teen girls and was comfortable in doing so. There have been no repairs other than tires, brakes etc.. 28 to 34 miles per gallon on two trips to Colorado!

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  Great Job - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By NYCBill - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Nice car. I love the new incentives. With $3000 cash back, it is truely an affordable luxury car and American too!

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  Great Road Car - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By SMT - May 8 - 2:00 am

  After a recent 1,500 mile trip in two days, I can honestly say my husband and I were very comfortable the entire trip. Noticed another review for this model regarding losing coolant. Caveat, my son (an auto tech by trade) installed a new upper manifold in ours, specifically to PREVENT a future inherent problem with the coolant leaking into the engine. Buick corrected this problem in 1999 by installing both upper and lower manifolds. Like the car a lot!

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  O.K. Car - 1994 Buick Century
  By Pat069 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my grandmother and it was okay at first, a basic, bland Hertz Rent-A-car. But Im glad i got rid of it at the 100,000 mile mark cuz the tranny was going

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  Best Buy - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jackjack - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Claims that the Rendezvous is underpowered are fiction. With a 1000 lb. load, I have driven this over several steep mountain passes at 75 mph and had power to spare. I road tested 17 mini & mid-size SUVs. This was the most comfortable with the best laid out interior. The gear shift is on the steering column and the parking brake on the floor where they belong leaving ample room for storage in the center console. Cargo space is superior, if there is no third seat. Plenty of storage space underneath. Interior is not sporty but efficient. Exterior design is the wave of the future. It will not become dated. Dont be fooled by the low ratings that Edmunds and Consumer Reports gave the Rendezvous.

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  Truly a crossover vehicle - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By EZSpirit - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Previously drove a GMC Yukon and loved it, but needed to downsize. My initial feeling in this vehicle was that I was in a spaceship once in the drivers seat. The ride is extremely smooth and the appointments on the interior and exterior are nice. I disagree thus far with Edmunds reviews that the RDV lacks engine power. I drive in the Metro NY/NJ area which requires rather fast acceleration onto highways and quick stops - this RDV handles both perfectly in my opinion. I drive at 70 mph and never felt that the vehicle wasnt keeping up. I have the third seat that folds down easily. Plenty of cargo room when necessary. Nice and easy entry and exit from this vehicle.

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  Took a chance on a new model. - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Terry Butlin - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Took a chance buying a new model, but never regreted it. For the money I paid I dont think there is anything that comes close. The car has run flawlessly since the day I purchased it. Would and probably will buy another one when it is time to replace this one.