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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  Buicks rocks my world - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By My name is - January 8 - 2:00 am

  fast little car, good handling, cool interior, sporty look, moon roof, electronic dash/guages, leather

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  buick reatta - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By ALIAS - January 8 - 2:00 am

  nice car, fun to drive, nice 165hp 3.8L V6, 210lb torque , all around fun car

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  EXCELLENT MOTOR CAR - 2003 Buick Regal
  By dale muller - January 8 - 2:00 am

  The first buick i`ve bought in which I purchased (5) other cars in the past. This by far the best car I`ve ever owned the past cars were chev. I`m most satisfied with the Buick GS Regal 2002 .The only problem I`ve had was a rattle in the glove box. This problem was rectified in quick order by the dealership ,which is the best I`ve had experience with all the cars I purchased in the .

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  2002 Century Custom SE - 2002 Buick Century
  By joewill - January 8 - 2:00 am

  My first good impressions of this car have gradually degraded to disillusionment. I still like the good performance for such a small economical engine but the noise gets irritating sometimes. Not just the roar of the accelerating engine, but the whine of the drivetrain when slowing down. The smooth ride on well maintained main roads changes to choppy, bouncy and ungainly on secondary roads and the suspension bottoms out with alarming thuds on potholes. My Corolla did better. A/C vents dont adjust upward enough to remove a layer of hot air at forehead level.

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  My LaCrosse - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By dmn - January 8 - 1:06 am

  I purchased this vehicle last November and drove it from New York to Florida for the holidays. This vehicle is comfortable, quiet and I got around 26 miles to the gallon. Thats pretty good for a brand new vehicle.

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  Buick Lesabre Risks and Benefits - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Kern Barrow - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I really wanted to like this car but it has some annoying problems and I would suggest the purchase of a extended warranty. Problems, Power steering hose had to be replaced$150.00 Heated seats malfunction,power windows $675.00,check engine light comes on,cracked o-rings on fuel ejectors,$100,rattles in door and dash and last but not least to replace any rear lightbulb 12 nuts be removed using a special tool!

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  Its Not Perfect, But GM Got It Right - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Vig Rig in Ohio - January 2 - 2:00 pm

  FWD CXL has all bells and whistles. Punt the Nav and save $2k w/Ent Pkg#2 DVD w/ surround. OnStar does everything the nav does and has significant safety benefits as well. My 9 year old had the rear audio wireless system operational in minutes! The engine is smooth and pleasingly powerful. The exhaust note is perfect. The cabin is exemplary, with outstanding switchgear that has excellent tactile feel. Interior lighting is superb. The "Googley-Eyed" Bi-Zenon articulating headlamps light to the horizon. I traded in a 04 Sequoia: I could hardly read the dash in any lighting. Enclaves dash is the new benchmark. What? No red line on the tach? This car is one sexy station wagon: The Real Roadmaster

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  Excellent Performance Sedan - 1993 Buick Regal
  By golden_boy - December 31 - 2:00 am

  The 3.8L V6 this cars has offers great performance on the highway, though could use some better acceleration from a dead stop. Car is 10 years old, and there isnt one spot of rust on it, engine and tranny still run like new.

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  Best American-made Car - 2002 Buick Century
  By Centuryforlife - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I rented the Century for a multistate trip and found it to be excellent in every regard. The power was great, handling was adequate and the features were well appointed. Ive never driven in such a comfortable and smooth-riding car in my life! I recommended it highly to anyone considering a car purchase!

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  The Flash - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By K.F. - December 30 - 3:06 am

  I bought the P.A.Ultra with touring package (used) after owning a similar older Park Ave, which I grew to love. This car is a dream and the fuel injection gives it amazing power. The touring package makes handling very tight and responsive. The car is a TOTAL driving experience:great sound system, luxury comfort:walnut interior trim, leather seats, power everything, sunroof etc. It shows what American engineering can produce if it wants to. I hope the new model Buicks can carry on this fine tradition, but Id be surprised.This is a real car!