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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  Buick Regal LSE - 2000 Buick Regal
  By NJDevilsFan - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Rides and handles great. No serious performance or repair problems. Only issue is that the "check engine" light seems to come on whenever I change brands of gasoline. Smmoth ride and very quiet.

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  2002 Buick Century Custom - 2002 Buick Century
  By lykasoap - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable (Im 62"), smooth, quiet, and economical(25.6mpg.for in town driving). Good ergonomics and thoughtful electronics without excessive gimmicks and gadgets. An excellent car for todays real driving experience, i.e. stuck in traffic, stop- and-go, congested conditions, and interstate travel.

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  GREAT CAR - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By BuickDude - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Be sure and get an extended warranty $1800 - intake $320 - alt $180 - antenna $150 - auto trunk release

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  Limited 1995 Buick Century Review - 1995 Buick Century
  By Simon24262 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  At of the 3 cars I have owned within the past 2 years, this by far has been the best. It hasnt had any major problems and has always started. the only problem I have had is I ran out of gas while drving down the road. Not that big of a problem, also I have a bad ground in the engine somewhere which Ive been meaning to get fixed but it doesnt really affect the performance of the car that much. So on a scale of 1-10 I would rate this car a 9. If you are looking for affordable luxury, youll love this car.

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  comfort-finally had to break down - 2003 Buick Century
  By hmaregon - February 21 - 2:00 am

  After renting a few of these on trips I decided I had to have the comfort of a big car but not at a big price. After researching the Century I was impressed with the bang one gets for the buck. It rides like a dream and my 24 mpg in the city [combined driving] is very impressive. Yes, its not very modern looking but Im already fantisizing about a LeSabre!

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  Nice car but suprisingly lower gas mileage - 2011 Buick Regal
  By Rob C - February 20 - 12:56 pm

  I should have read up more on the actual gas mileage folks are getting. The sportiness and looks and features are great. The radio is too many buttons and they have changed it on newer models. My 2015 F150 Supercrew 2.7 Ecoboost (twin turbo) mileage advertised is 19/26. I averaged 18 all around but mid to high 20s on highway. I would have thought this tiny regal would do better just looking at its small size. It looks almost exactly like the Verano until you see the swooping curve on the side is opposite. It feels compact but labeled a mid size. Nice to drive, fun even. I like it but many other cars loaded similarly do better on gas and the larger buicks can even beat it. Overall happy I just did not expect truck like gas mileage but it is a lot easier to part. 13K for a 2011 with 48K miles. I was shopping for a Cadillac CTS but when I saw this I jumped on it. The European styling similar to a BMW/AUDI is nice. Overall happy and trying like crazy to keep the foot pedal off the floor for better mileage, the first fill up the average was 16mpg....

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  Disappointed-Interior noise - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Jack/Pa - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Nice car but fit and finish is poor. Lot of dash rattles.

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  Buick Rendevous for a retired couple - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Irby Jones - February 17 - 10:00 am

  ideal choice for us. moved during past year and Rendevous was excellent for hauling many items including trailering a golf cart 600 miles. we enjoy the vehicle. Comfortable to travel in. Handles mountains ok.

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  Excellent Value - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By yru - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is a a fantastic value. For the sizable savings, one can get a beautiful SUV that is the equal of up- market models such as the Lexus RX300 and other competitors such as the Acura MDX. There is not a single feature available on up-market models that is not available on the Rendez-vous, including DVD player and HIGHLY intuitve and highly adaptive navigation system. In styling the Rendez-vous outstrips the aformentioned in the elegantly simple and intuitive layout. Like the layout the numerous luxury amenties are likewise simple to use. Having never used it before, I learned how to use all its numerous functions in 4 minutes flat.

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  Another Regal Please! - 2001 Buick Regal
  By Gardatek - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. 200hp gives respectable acceleration for a four- door sedan. Rental car companies consider it a full-size and manufacturers call it a mid-size. I especially appreciate the 35 to 36 mpg on the highway, excellent styling, comfortable and reliability. I drive this car from Washington State to Nevada and back about once a month from March through October. When its time for a new one, Ill get a Regal again - maybe the supercharged one! Sure, you can get more in a car - but NOT for this price! This is the right balance of price/performance.