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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  1998 Buick regal GS - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Bill Crump - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Having owned several high-end cars - Mercedes Benz, Volvo, 3 BMWs, Park Avenues - I find this car to be as good as any, and a lot cheaper to maintain and service. I bought it quickly for convenience and economy, but will keep it for the long haul. It looks great and runs with spirit and efficiency.

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  Dangerous - 1997 Buick Regal
  By George Connor - February 10 - 2:00 am

  In the last 3 months our steering went out on my family twice putting us in a very dangerous position. Did GMC stand behing there product-"no" my vin identification is not within the range of the federal recall. Please do not buy a GMC product if you value your safety. I have my car waiting for its second repair, but i refuse to put my family behind the wheel(or lack of) again. I have a useless Car.

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  A great automobile - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By BobR - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This is an amazing car for the price. It makes better gas mileage than anything but a supercompact. It had no new car defects. It now has about 31,000 miles and has never had anything but regular oil changes done to it. Before this car I had two Toyota Camrys. I like this car MUCH better. They were gutless four cylinders, yet this more peppy v6 makes just as good in gas mileage.

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  Great car - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By memememememememe - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for 2 years and have not had any problems at all. Great dependable car

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  the perfect vehicle - 1997 Buick Century
  By wrolandlee - February 7 - 2:00 am

  it just feels like heaven.......sort of speak.

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  Another Buick - 2016 Buick Encore
  By Bill Gowen - February 6 - 8:40 am

  What a great car and value. We test drove both the Honda CRV & Toyota Rav4, both were great cars, but the difference we fond was the ride quality, craftsmanship and overall bang for your dollar. This is our second Buick, and what we are seeing with the Buick is reliability and overall satisfaction level for what you get for your total all in cost. For 20 years all we have bought is Japanese cars, because of the reliability and safety. I have no problem tell other consumers that Buick has done a great job to earn our business back to American made cars.

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  I will probably die first. - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By smpl_gifts - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my parents at about 80,000 miles and it has not let me down once. At 162,000 miles it burns no oil and still can accelerate briskly. Mileage is about 28-30 on the highway even at high speeds No one ever believes this Road and Track even had an article about it!!! Suspension is WAY too soft and this makes the car uninspired enough so sometimes I want to get rid of it, but I should never get rid of a reliable car, I will regret it down the road.

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  Buick 4X4 - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Marzetta Thompson - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I looked for months before buying. I tried (road tested) every luxury SUV on the market. Some were to big, some were to small, some had to hard of a ride and I really stumbled across the new Buick Rainer. It has a wonderful ride, lots of creature comforts like heated seats. I like the pep, the smooth ride. Best vehicle I have ever had.

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  2004 Buick Rainier CXL Plus AWD - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Claude Sparks - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Great smaller SUV. Easy to handle, fits nicely in garage, very comfortable, and the new insulated glass is a big plus in reducing outside noise. We also own a Denali and its comparable just on a smaller scale.

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  Buick Rainier - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By bioedwards - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with the overall quality of this vehicle. It is the best mid-sized suv I looked at and it has not disappointed me