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:

• 

  Century a Great Car - 1995 Buick Century
  By firedawg - October 2 - 2:00 am

  The car has been a great car. We had one transmission problem after 140k miles. Since fixing that problem, the ownership has been uneventful.

• 

  A great new car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Linda - October 1 - 2:13 pm

  This vehicle has all of the necessary features that are required in todays luxury cars. The OnStar is a great extra safety feature when traveling a long distance from home.

• 

  Car reliability? - 1995 Buick LeSabre
  By Rosy Petals - October 1 - 2:00 am

  The car has been reasonably good altho had problems with seat upholstery when brand new. It was fixed of course. At 42,000 miles My headlights all of the sudden went out.It was a part. It was out of warranty and I had to pay for itIn July 2002 while driving on an interstate at high speed my headlights went out. Tonight My I stopped at a red light and boom everyting just quit

• 

  I Own an American Car for the First Time - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Analyst365 - September 30 - 6:36 pm

  I own an Acura MDX and owned a Lexus RX in the past. I test drove most of the SUVs in the mid and large sections. I was very surprised to find that the Buick Enclave had fantastic handling and good gas mpg(for its size). It is a beautiful and logical car making it easy and fun to drive. The large capacity is perfect for all the members of my family, most of them being very tall. It is larger than most of the big truck SUVs, but it drives like a car. I have never considered owning an American car before. I must say, I love my new Buick Enclave! It is a quality car that comfortably fits seven people for a much lower price than the Acura or Lexus.

• 

  high quality car - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By David Linton - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for 11 months. To date it has not been back to the dealer for any warranty repairs. The supercharged engine gives it plenty of power and it was very comfortable on the one long trip (3000 miles) that I have taken.

• 

  great buick - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By hayes - September 30 - 2:00 am

  had a gmc envoy, doors rattled. no rattles in the buick very quiet.very nice ride

• 

  Great car over the long haul - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By Charles Love - September 29 - 2:00 am

  My LeSabre was purchased new in 1990. I was beginning to believe that I made a mistake with initial problems with the engine computer and freeze plugs rusting out. However both problems were fixed under warranty. After twelve years and 265,000 I found my initial doubts unwarranted. Today this car is still rock solid. I had a the timing chain replaced a few year ago and the 3.8 liter V6 is still as quiet as the day I first brought it home. A very comfortable ride and my pick over newer cars that I own for long trips. This is not a great car however it does what it was built to do beautifully. Thanks Buick.

• 

  Lemon of all Lemons - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By CK1 - September 28 - 4:33 am

  After three Hondas I decided to get a roomier family sedan than the Accord. I heard nothing but good things about the Lucerne. Within one day of purchasing the right rear passanger door would not open. Warranty repair. Three days later there was a loud metallic grinding. The dust cover for the crankshaft was rubbing against the crankshaft. Warranty repair. The keyless remote broke three times. Three trips to the dealership. Yesterday the oil pump failed and starved the engine of oil. The engine has to be completely replaced. The car is three months old and has 2500 miles on it! I spent most of those miles driving to get it repaired. I am going to attempt a GM buyback.

• 

  tweetys car - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By georgia - September 28 - 2:00 am

  comfortable,some difficulty getting and out of.

• 

  NOTHING BUT MONEY MONEY MONEY - 1995 Buick Century
  By Pinkcadillac_1 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this from the dealer with 13 miles, I have had nothing but mechanical problems since I bought it. FRONT RIGHT DRIVE AXLE, BRAKES, TIRES, WHEEL INNERS. WINDOW MOTORS REPLACES MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PAID BIGGGGGGGG BUCKS FOR, ONLY TO GIVE OUT SOON AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT AND LOCK ONE OPEN, ONE CLOSED. NOISEY NOISEY RATTLES AND SQUEALS, NEVER CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, nor was the ALL POWER OPTIONS WORTH THE MONEY I PAID. For comfort..