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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  Good Used car buy - 2003 Buick Century
  By Josh Nixon - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Century used with just over 100K on the clock. It is reliable, and has a smooth, floaty ride. Surprisingly, it handles really well for having a soft suspension. Fuel economy is stellar, I regularly see 26-28 combined. ( 60 percent highway commute) I paid $2100 for it and you can usually find good, low mileage examples because typically the people who buy Buicks are older. The interior is comfortable, but the plastics are low-quality and rattle over bumps. The transmission on mine has had some problems, it tends to shift hard in stop and go traffic, but it is not getting hot. if I turn the car off for 30 seconds it goes away. Other than this, the car has no major problems and looks and runs like new. Overall, good value for the money.

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  I loved my buick - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By ckohley - May 7 - 1:34 pm

  I bought this car from my father inlaw for 3000 with only 68,000 miles on it. Car was the best ive ever had. Ive never had to put any work into it, and it still got me home (150 miles) after hitting a deer at 75 mph. The car engine finally gave out at 198,000 miles. Much sadness.

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  No a bad car for American-made - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By Doug Fresh - May 7 - 12:41 pm

  Bought in Jan 03 with 35K on it. At 200K in May 09, engine & trans. still runs pretty strong. With 89 octane, getting 23 -24 mpg. Good looking, roomy, safe car in a crash. Decent appointments & stereo. Wish the 3.8 was a little more responsive in the passing gear, especially on hills. They should have gone with a 5-speed. Suspension is mushy when cornering at high speeds or breaking on a curve. More of a luxury cruiser than a handling machine. 3 of the 4 power window regulators have died - $350 each to fix!!! Gas gauge went out at 150K. Probably my last American-made car. My 95 Regal and 02 Pontiac Montana both blew engines at 110,000 miles, holding my breath with this GM motor. Overall 7/10

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  Going for 200k with this baby! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Salesman - April 30 - 9:23 pm

  This is the 3rd Buick weve owned and were only 50!! All in all its been a family favorite, a workhorse and a great value. I drive about 100 miles a day in the Reno-Tahoe area. Coming from New England this is one of the best cars in the snow Ive seen. Very easy to drive. Lean back, put it in cruise and listen to the BoSox on XM! Grandkids love the third seat. Peole have been amazed at how much you can pack into it with the seats down. Had some warrantee work done which is norm with new models. One of the best cars for a long trip and one of the best Ive owned. Previously owned Volvo, Chevy, Ford, GMC. I plan on putting 180k on this and its doing it just fine.

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  2009 Lucerne CXL - 2009 Buick Lucerne
  By jack - April 23 - 3:57 pm

  My first Buick after a long line of Pontiacs, Dodges, Toyotas and Fords over the years. Reason for choosing Buick was the great looks and an incredible price with GM incentives on what is a high-end luxury car. First impressions-car looks great in Black with Titanium leather interior. Smart lines all around outside and inside, elegant and quietly stating luxury. Strong 3.9L V6 engine coupled with a capable 4 speed transmission. This is a luxury car not a sports car and tuned accordingly for strong performance but not "burning rubber off the line" or "cornering at 75mph". The inside is beautiful with no gimmicky controls- logical and within reach engineered for elegance. I love this car!

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  Great Car - Problem Fixed - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Rob1958 - April 22 - 2:05 pm

  Reading my previous review, you will see the problem with the oxygen sensor. After two more visits regarding the same problem, the GM advisor recommended that the Dealership check the wires. magic, one of the wires had a short in it which was affecting the oxygen sensor. Problem has been repaired and the car is just humming along. I would still recommend this vehicle even with my problem since that was not a design flaw but instead a supplier issue with the wiring.

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  quiet and competent - 1999 Buick Century
  By ruzz - April 20 - 8:46 pm

  My first car, my parents got it for me. As usual, not the choice I would have made, but Dad made the right one I must now admit. Shes almost at the 100,000 mile mark and the only problem Ive had was the breaks went on me, but even then it performed admirably and got me home safe. Pretty good handling and very forgiving, but it will also move when you tell it to. The overall exterior is designed more for a conservative buyer, but the unremarkable looks actually works to your benefit if you pass an officer of the law a little too much on the expeditious side, as opposed to doing so in a more aggressively styled car. Just do the routine maintenance and you should have no problems.

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  Not just for Grannies - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Buickgirl - April 19 - 2:06 pm

  I love my Buick Regal, I took a lot of grief for it when I purchased it in 2002 - 0nly 24 years old at the time my friends thought I was crazy to purchase a "grandma car". This was the best decision I ever made, I will keep this car forever. Ive just reached 100,000 miles.

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  Toying with the Past - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Shunteezy - April 17 - 11:38 am

  I was really scepitical about this car because of age and size. I really am fond of foreign whips as far as cars go. I am a domestic truck girl though! I was really super surprised with the fuel economy of this full-sized sedan. It gets nearly 30 mpg on the highway and 23-25 mpg in the city. This car has been rated the safest car in history and I see why it holds the road very well and its sleek exterior design looks and feels safe.

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  Be different... - 2014 Buick Verano
  By Vince - April 12 - 1:50 pm

  With roads filled with Camrys, Accords, and Fusions, why not take a look at the Buick Verano, a nice entry level luxury sedan. Built on the same platform as the Chevy Cruze, and thats where the comparison stops. Buick designed a completely different body and shares few interior parts. It is conservatively styled and elegant. When compared in looks to its siblings the Verano fits right in but as a compact. It has a classy quite interior with comfortable seating. The rear will be a little cramped for some. The 2.4 180 HP engine with 6 speed automatic transmission is refined and smooth. This is the same engine used for the larger base Regal. I average around 23 MPG, not great but considering the ride and smooth shifting transmission its no sacrifice. The cabin environment is very inviting and features 10 airbags. I have the convenience group in mine, it adds auto night adjusting rear view mirror, partial power drivers seat, lane change warning, frontal collision warning, heated seats, side warning system added to the standard back up camera, all this added to a long list of standard equipment. There is a pretty user friendly infotainment system with voice command blue tooth, standard. The dash has some clutter but glows light blue at night. 18" alloy wheels are standard. The Verano feels like a larger car and offers excellent value. You wont look like everyone else driving one.