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:

• 

  1998 Buick Park Ave. Ultra - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By William R. Hayward - December 23 - 10:00 am

  for a large car, looks sleek & fast. comfortable road car, gets 27 to 32 MPG on highway, 17 t0 18 around town. exceptional, effortless acceleration, very fast & quiet ride. transmission shifts smoothly & quiet.at 60,000 miles, no mechanical problems, totally reliable car. minus side, uses premium fuel, soft, mushey cornering, not a mountain racer. I would buy this car again, used, a great value.

• 

  Love my new Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By JRoshto - December 22 - 3:03 pm

  I bought mine on New Years Eve. Looked all over for the Red Jewel one. Went to a dealer the day before and they sold the one I wanted an hour before I got there. Managed to locate one the next day and bought it. I love it. Ive always been a Honda buyer so this is my first American car for a while. This is definitely my red jewel. Its gorgeous, and fun to drive and so very smooth. Plus the family love all the options we got with the DVD play XM radio etc.

• 

  Alternator Noise/Bad Seats - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By Jim Miller - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Annoying alternator noise in cabin...Buick is aware of it but they are in denial and wont do anything about it. Trunk leak (common in LeSabres) and airbag module replacement in the first 5000 miles...other than this its ok. Need to upgrade General OEM tires. The fabric seats in the Custom are easily the worst Ive seen. Seat too small...not contoured well and they wrinkle and come loose. Ive replace drivers side covers already (ref to Bulletin)

• 

  97 Lesabre - 1997 Buick Century
  By Bill - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Very dependable car. I have had no expence other than normal maintenance, gas, oil changes, tires. It gives a very comfortable ride, It keeps its appearance well. I plan to keep this car several more years. Power and performance is every good. Nice car for family or mature person. Probably would not appeal to teens.

• 

  Awesome Engine, Decent Car - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Sebastian0622 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Regal for over a year. I am very happy with the performance-- straight ahead performance is great for a sedan and leaves annoying sport compacts in the dust--and also happy with comfort and powertrain reliability. There have been too many minor problems however...I wish GM would spend the extra dollars to buy higher quality interior and amenity equipment. Power window switches keep dying on me, the heated seats malfunctioned and burned the leather, the console has some sort of rubber coating that is peeling off...etc. Overall, I love my Regal but I must admit that while the stuff under the hood is bulletproof, the rest is mediocre.

• 

  Family loves the Rendezvous - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By laxcoach - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This is the best vehicle that I have owned. Every person that has been a passenger or driven the SUV has expressed the comfort of the vehicle. It has been driven in deep snow and heavy rain and it handles like a dream. Power is less than I would like, esp., going up hills and mountains in Western Maryland. With careful and conservative driving, it can get 24 mpg going to and from work and better on long trips. Any future vehicle will definitely have AWD. It is simply the only way to go - drive!!

• 

  Another Great Buick - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By NuKar Byer - December 19 - 2:00 am

  The LeSabre is so quiet and drives like a dream. It has a great controlled ride its an improved ride over the 98 LeSabre with more control. But its still comfortable. Everything is located great and features are easily understood and used like the memory seats and mirrors. Its already hitting 29 mpg cruising and its only a few hundred miles old. The brakes are perfect in their feel. I am anxious to try out the self-stabilizing feature. I had considered a Park Avenue, slightly used or new, but this has been a great choice with many more options than I ever dreamed I would have on a car.

• 

  Buick Junkbox Review - 1997 Buick Skylark
  By AZA - December 18 - 2:00 am

  A real junkbox that in the last two years has required extensive repair and replacement of various suspension, mechanical, electrical and other parts. I will never own another Buick.

• 

  over looked Gem - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By spacekat - December 18 - 2:00 am

  the 1995 buick riviera the ultimate in luxury and styling over looked. on the out side you look at the riviera and notice the flowing design and sharp curves wraping around this beauty. If the exterior impresses you wait till you see the interior. Luxorious 6-way heated bucket seats with a sound system to boot!!! plus many more features to many to list!!a supercharged 3800 series motor with road burning take offs easily passes other cars in a hurry with out blowing your eardums thats right all you hear is a soft calming purr like humm!! excellent car!! the best car ive ever incountered !!!! a must buy!!!!

• 

  My Second LeSabre--Love it - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By rick boston - December 18 - 2:00 am

  Hi, This is the second LeSabre I bought. I liked the 2000 at lot, but the 2002 is much better. It rides great in sun, snow and rain. New driver computer system works very well, with the 2000 model I got a number of "false" errors that I had to take to the dealer with no repairs done. I have not had one thing fixed on this car since I bought it!