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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  Love my Buicks - 2012 Buick Verano
  By bearsgt53 - May 20 - 5:52 pm

  I purchased this vehicle little over a month ago. It is super quiet, great gas mileage and loaded with ammenities. The only cons that i have for this car is the gas filler neck is located on the right side of the car instead of being on the drivers side, also it only has one 12 volt outlet. Would loved to have at least two of them. This is my third Buick ( 96 Regal, 2005 Lacrosse and now this Verano). This has to be the quietest buick so far. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone that loves a quiet and smooth riding car.

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  Unresolved Noise on Startup - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By lph6402 - May 6 - 7:44 pm

  Bought a new, fully loaded 2010 AWD in June, 2011. It always gets compliments on the exterior styling. Unfortunately, I have an unresolved clanging or banging sound at startup. The annoyance has been diagnosed from the beginning and the symptoms at startup last for 30~75 seconds. Its loud, embarrasing and some type of manufacuring or assembly non-conformance. The local dealer has tried a few things with guidance from Buick service and engineers. Going on 9~10 months and Buick Customer Service basically told me to quick calling because they are not going to fix the non-conformance.

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  Beautiful car, but.... - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By cherio - May 3 - 3:29 pm

  I love the color, love the look, the interior is pretty. Looks, that is about all this car has. I also own a 2006 Lacrosse. This 2012 doesnt come close. It doesnt shift very smoothly. The ride is ok, but it is loud. It sounds like Im in a wind tunnel. It is comfortable, but the seats are narrow. A car seat or booster seat in the back doesnt fit well. It sits on top of the seatbelt button. I dont like the shift and the arm rest is akward with the gearshift so far back. The door locks, park break are in the center, no trunk button. Probably wont keep this one.

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  Nicest Ride Around for the $$$ - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By koonzee - May 2 - 11:05 am

  Very comfortable ride & seats. Plenty of rear seat room. Quiet. Great sound system. All Wheel Drive handles well in snow.

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  Surprised! - 2012 Buick Verano
  By lukestrawalker - May 1 - 8:04 pm

  I have always been a horsepower junkie. I had visions of my next car being a Challenger R/T with pistol grip. I have been holding out,waiting for Panther Pink,Sub-lime or another funkie retro Mopar color to make a come back.My wife came home from work three weeks ago talking about this car that had shown up at the local Government Motors dealership.She kept talking about this car.Then a little over a week ago she told me she wanted to go test drive the car to get it "out of her system". I have only been excited about three cars in the last 15 years.The above mentioned Challenger,5 series BMW sedan,and now a Buick of all things!The Verano has totally shocked me!!!!

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  Broken suspension and transmission - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By madismommy2004 - April 30 - 10:33 pm

  For the past 2 years I have been dealing with my suspension,I bought the car at carmax,they fixed the comressor only to find out I need an air bag,and what they couldnt see that the holes in the air bag is what is causing it to sag. And of course I am now out of warranty so I have to pay out of pocket. Now my transmission is slipping and it doesnt want to move faster than 35mph.It wont shift into 3rd gear.What else can go wrong with this car....If I knew what i know now about it I would never have bought it! Oh and warranty parts at carmax SUCKS!6MO OR 6000 MILES WHICH COMES FIRST, HOW ABOUT A YEAR LIKE OTHER PLACES OR DEALERS!

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  Power Windows - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By dhughes216 - April 30 - 4:15 pm

  The power windows are terrible. I have replaced all of the regulators at least once. The drivers side was replaced twice. Its kind of a shame when such a nice car has issues like this. The rest of the car couldn,t have been better.

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  Its Almost too Good to be True - 2012 Buick Verano
  By superpowers - April 21 - 11:48 pm

  Ive been driving my Verano for almost a month. I immediatley drove down Topanga Cyn Blvd. to Malibu Beach. If you arent familiar with the area... Its a windy road that passes through mountain terrain and ends at the California coast. The Verano handled every turn with ease. I could definitely tell that this vehicle was designed in Europe (from Opel). I was surpised how sturdy and quiet the interior felt through out the ride. When my friends see the interior, they cant believe its a Buick. The build quality, and the quality of the materials used is probably above most if not all in its class.

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  Having Second Thoughts - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By onedognight - April 21 - 10:11 pm

  I purchased the 2012 LaCrosse four months ago. The car is so low to the ground that I cant get in and out of my driveway without scraping the front end. The front and side posts plus the high trunk make visability a real issue when driving in heavy traffic. Other features that I dont like is the lock/unlock buttons being on the middle console instead of on the door and the only trunk unlock is on the key fob. The car performs well enough for a 4 cyl. but I wish I had known about the lack of visability and the drag issues before purchasing. Also, be aware that no spare tire comes with this car. You get a can of Fix-A-Flat. There is a space for it, but no tire.

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  My First american car! - 2012 Buick Verano
  By sothernkimb - April 18 - 12:47 pm

  Took delivery om my White Diamond Verano about 6 weeks ago. I will contiune to update as it ages. This car was bar none the best compact luxury car I looked at. I traded in my Acura for it! The Verano is very quiet, and it feels very solid. It has all the luxury features i need. Im very happy with the cars overall performance. Several of my friends have driven this car (all import owners) and they too have come away impressed. Good job Buick, you snagged this 35yr old as a new customer. I never thought Id own a Buick.