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 american luxury car - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By mike swonger - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, its performance is great. Real comfortable, no problems yet. Everywhere I go I get compliments, and with is great design people mistake it for a brand new car.

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  Great Ride for a high cost! - 2014 Buick Enclave
  By MyEnclaveReview - April 29 - 7:22 am

  When you can purchase the same engine and nearly identical body for a lesser price, it makes the Buick a poor value! I love the way it drives. Too many little technology glitches. Hard to find a good deal or great sale! There are other cars in the same family that are nearly identical for much less.

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  great car - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Sam Mermelstein - April 28 - 2:00 am

  this car is a great car , i hope all of you buy it

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  average American car with surprises - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By cirius_phun - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Theres nothing spectacular about this car. The "sell" was that it drives like a car even though its an SUV. OK, for the most part thats true. Passengers in the back have a different story (see suggested improvements). It doesnt have a lot of spunk - you dont feel it accelerating, but you do find yourself at highway speed more quickly than you think. It certainly does not have a sporty feel. All that said, we pulled a 3,500 pound pop-up trailer 8,800 miles around the US last summer, including climbing Tioga pass (14,000 ft, I think). This car never overheated once. I was surprised that its such a little workhorse.

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  First time Buick Owner - 1998 Buick Regal
  By lcaldw - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car to drive. However there have been a few things that are very annoying. Mainly the wheel noise is horrible, the cup holders for the front are VERY inconvenient to use. And they are placed in the wrong angle. It makes it very difficult for the driver to reach their cup as it is in a ackward position to begin with. I had to replace the battery and the blower fan mower at less than 100K miles on it.

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  What are those folks at GM doing? - 2003 Buick Regal
  By In Pgh - April 25 - 2:00 am

  This is a dated car and doesnt compare well with the competition. Who is Earl Hartley, and who cares? However, "GM points," 0% financing and generous dealer discount ultimately made the Regal more attractive. Reliability was another consideration. In four years of driving a 99, I had no problems whatsoever. Only complaint was cheap Goodyear tires which lasted about 20k miles.

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  Buick Regals are the best cars ever. - 1993 Buick Regal
  By Lukemc86 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This car was my mostest favorite of all of my cars. I had a car before that died after a mere two weeks of my punishing use. The Buick has performed well up to speeds of 110 mph (thats all the further the speedometer goes). Theres plenty of room for all kinds of people, I had comfortably fit six people in my Regal with plenty of room.

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  Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Madeline - April 23 - 6:10 am

  Its extremely quiet. The ride & handling are superior. It tows our 3500 lb. boat with the greatest of ease. Its truly a beautiful vehicle inside and out, and has all the bells & whistles. Just want to drive it all the time.

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  A cheap car for a cheap price - 1998 Buick Skylark
  By vixkix69 - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has had several problems starting with unexplained stalling.It has been diagnosed / checked but no problem to be found as of yet. The tires are very easily flattened or destroyed by hard bumps or curbs. The interrior and exterior doesnt hold up.The car very easily gets dings and dents in it.The carpet and seats are falling apart.

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  Roadmaster Reliable - 1996 Buick Roadmaster
  By kevallen - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the car as the "family" car, big enough for four to travel comfortably with plenty of room to spare in the trunk. My wife and I are in our 30s and have two young children. The LT1 engine is a delight and quite a surprise to those who think they can blow by you on the highway. This baby moves! The most comfortable car Ive ever driven on long road trips. After 95000 miles the engine doesnt drink a drop of oil between changes.