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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  After the ninth year - 1992 Buick Regal
  By mace - December 11 - 2:00 am

  The first ten years I had no problems except for the poor paint job. At the middle of year ten, I had to buy 3 alternators, and now the transmission is gone out. the electric antennae has been replaced 3 times and still does not work. My 2 wireless entry work but cannot fit a keychain. Dealer service poor in FL and NC. Spent $1500 and car returned in worst shape.

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  LeSabre. The ultimate sleeper! - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By the Custom 90. - December 7 - 2:00 am

  My LeSabre has been a very reliable car. I have owned it for about 5 years, and have close to 150,000 on it now. The car rides great, has good performance, and is just plain, a good car!

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  Beautiful - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By Beautiful!!! - December 6 - 2:03 am

  This is the most awesome car! The ride, comfort, stability, handling, looks, everything about this car is wonderful! I will never own another car but this!

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  BUICKS ARE THE BEST - 1998 Buick Century
  By AMERICAN MADE - December 4 - 2:00 am

  BUICK IS AN EXCELLENT MANUFACTURER OF AUTOMOBILES. I AM GLAD BUICK BUILT THE RENDEVOUS BECAUSE I WANT TO BUY AN SUV NEXT. I WILL ALWAYS BUY BUICK. THE RELIABILITY IS SECOND TO NONE. AND THE COST OF A BUICK IS LESS THAN ANY OTHER AUTOMOBILE IN COMPETITION. FOREIGN CARS ARE GOOD, BUICKS ARE BETTER!!!

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  Hidden Sports Car - 2002 Buick Regal
  By getitgirl - December 3 - 2:00 am

  This was great find. For those of you who think that this is an old persons car think again. It has the comfort of a luxary vehicle but has the power of a sports car :-)

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  Envy! - 2016 Buick Envision
  By Mike Kobiske - December 2 - 9:20 am

  Smaller 2.0 liter motor has more power but worse gas mileage.

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  hellzzzz yeah - 1991 Buick LeSabre
  By Manos63 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Nice car, rides nice, good performance for its year, very little maintenance problems so far

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  The Big Blue Couch - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By BBC - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car, does exactly what it was meant to do. More comfortable than many sofas. After 160,000 miles, the alternator is the only part Ive replaced aside from stuff youd expect (brakes, tires, filters). Plenty of power with very good mileage.

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  The BEST thing since the Roadmaster - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Prkavelver - November 30 - 3:20 am

  This is one of Buicks finest cars. Owned a Roadmaster in 1996, loved, a true American FULL size car, its a shame GM lost the true full size lines, but this compares greatly! Very roomy, excellent drive, love the looks, 6 passenger seating is WAY better than the bulky and gaudy center console. My last car was a 2003 Park Avenue, sorry to see those go but this is a fine replacement! Love it, although there could be a manual key open for the trunk, but nothings perfect. Bye-Bye foriegn imports, hello all-American comfort! A true luxury liner!

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  2005 Buick LaCrosse - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By E Nelson - November 30 - 12:56 am

  We just recently purchased the LaCrosse. less than 1,000 miles on it at this point, but so far we are pleased. It seems to be quieter than our 2000 Regal. Steering and braking is more responsive. The beige interior could be too light and harder to keep clean. This is the first new car that we purchased where we didnt immediately have to have something adjusted or taken care of at the dealership. Quality control seems to be good on this one.