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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  Good Family Car - 1993 Buick Regal
  By hkerwien - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Virtually maintenance free. Brakes were the biggest issue to maintain. Not a sports car but otherwise a good ride, good fuel economy (27 mpg), good handling in all weather, lots of room and not very expensive in the first place.

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  Fun Family Car - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Jim M. - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car fresh out of college planning ahead for a family. I have owned it for exactly one year with no regrets whatsoever. With leather, a great sound system, fog lights, and a sunroof its a blast to cruise around town in, even without the supercharged engine. The interior styling uses a little more plastic than I would like, but the exterior lines are well coordinated. I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a well designed 4 door ride.

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  Great Car - Highly underated - 2000 Buick Century
  By mikeAZ - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Buick Century in 2/00 and, as a 40-somethings person with Lexus tastes and driving style, I was scratching my head the day after I bought this car instead. What did I do? I just bought a "Buick"! I have to say, now that my 3 year leas is up, Im going to miss this car. The leather interior, soft but powerful ride (especially up hills), and reliability as good as my last two Camrys took us on several long road trips where we kept marvelling about how this car kept selling us. We never got tired of this car or riding in it. Great job GM!

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  very good car! - 1993 Buick LeSabre
  By utoutlaw8 - December 29 - 2:00 am

  very good car,the next car I buy will be the same kind.very dependable car.

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  I Luv my GS - 2003 Buick Regal
  By Glengrandsport - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my Buick Regal GS. Best performance family sedan you can buy for under 35K. Great highway car,also a great sleeper.

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  Poor mans Cadillac - 2003 Buick Regal
  By AJ Wilson - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I now have about 19,000 miles on the car and it has never been back to the dealer. On level highway driving, Ive been able to achieve 32 mpg. The car is comfortable, quiet and fun to drive.

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  Fantastic! - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Heidi - December 28 - 2:13 am

  I traded in my 2009 Toyota Venza after only 2800 miles on it for this. That car was starting to have squeeks and terrible rattling noise coming from the dash. My husband drives the 2006 Lucerne which is fantastic as well, the LaCrosse is just the little sporter version. Very happy with the "quietness" and wonderful ride. Good handeling and styling. Great quality, you get a lot more for your money with Buick products and luxury. We used to be Toyota and Honda buyers, have learned quickly about the quality and luxury Buick has to offer with a MUCH MORE superior product! Love it! Cant go wrong with either the Lucerne or LaCrosse!

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  I loved this car - 1990 Buick Century
  By juliette - December 26 - 2:00 am

  I had this car for 6 years, and I had very little problems with it, but the key is to keep up with the oil changes, and so on. It is a cheap costing car that gets you from A to B with about a problem. If you do not car about the lack of frills, then this car is for you.

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  Buy This Car - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Mr. Patrick - December 25 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the most comfortable cars ever made. The ride is smooth and bumps are hardly felt. Power supplied by the 3800 V6 is fast and responsive. The seats are like leather couches that hold and support the body. The car may look long but it can corner well and fuel economy is great. I have a white "Rivi" with chrome wheels and after a fresh waxing and some polish on the rims - this car turns heads!! I am completely satisfied with this GM car.

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  Rendezvous Rock - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By little bo pig - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Built like a truck, rides like a car. Smooth & quiet. Room to breath. Huge headroom.