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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  Great Commuter - 1995 Buick Century
  By Finch (male) - February 9 - 3:35 pm

  2nd owner, at 96K replaced muffler, at 102K had vacuum leak and lug bolts. Other than that great reliability, and seats are still comfortable. Good for commuter or teen car! I average 22-23 MPG combined driving.

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  Just keeps going - 1990 Buick Century
  By jjf - February 7 - 9:47 pm

  I was given this car 2 years ago as a full-time student. It looks like a broken down rust bucket, but keeps on driving. At 174,000 miles, I have no complaints about this vehicle. It breaks the stereotype of of poorly built GM cars. The engine is an unstoppable workhorse. Lots of rust, I have seen others around with the same faded beige and same rust spots. Fuel efficiency is not as good as the 29 mpg highway when it was new. Poor turn radius sometimes difficult to park If this car doesnt rust away, I might get another 100,000 miles out of the engine. I would consider another Buick (even though its an old mans car.)

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  Not a bad grocery getter - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Josh Hughes - February 7 - 6:17 am

  This vehicle has been very reliable. We purchased it with just 11,000 miles and now have over 105,000. The only work that has ever been done is routine maintenance. We have blown a few fuses with various electronic equipment, but they are easy to replace ourselves. From a style standpoint, we have gotten a few jabs over the years from our younger friends who think it looks like a van. This was our first Buick, and although they have a reputation for being popular among the over 60 crowd, you cant beat the reliability.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By John Bryson - January 31 - 4:30 am

  The Buick LaCrosse is a fun vehicle to drive. The interior is not as fun however. The cloth seats are not very comfortable. It took a few tries to keep from hitting the brake when trying to press the accelerator. It came with a minor defect in the drivers side windshield wiper, but was quickly replaced by the dealer.

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  Great Ideas but toexpensive to maintain - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By AWeaver - January 30 - 10:42 am

  In 2002 while looking for a SUV for my wife, we looked at all of them. Most required her to pull herself into them, and the Rendezvous allow her easy ins & outs. I expect normal maintenance on all my vehicles however in my 52 years of driving I have never had to replaced a A/C condenser or manifold gasket in my vehicles like we Rendezvous owners have. GM knows they made a mistake on both, and as much as she likes this Rendezvous I will never buy another Buick, and may not consider a GM vehicle after owing over 20 of them.

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  08 Super Value with Lousy Fuel Economy - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By kgm - January 28 - 3:58 pm

  Got a great deal on a leftover new Super ($31.7k out the door) when my 07 DTS was pulled ahead by GM. Ride has softened somewhat with break-in, but the magnetic ride control is still firmer than in my DTS. Knew I would have to replace the standard Bridgestone tires in order to make the ride acceptable. Replaced tires with Goodyear Assurance Comfortreds (235/55/18) which adds about 1/2 inch to the tires diameter and about 1/4 inch to the cars ride height. The tires made a big difference when compared to the hard riding and noisy Bridgestones. The car, at 2,600 miles, gets about 18 mpg combined vs. 20 mpg with the DTS. This may be due to the performance tuning and the final drive ratio.

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  Totally mediocre - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By totally mediocre - January 27 - 2:00 pm

  I purchased this car used with 22,000 miles. Initially, I was very impressed with the design of the exterior and the interior materials. However, with time I have been mildly disappointed. No major complaints, just room for improvement. Like every other review, I am also disappointed with the fuel economy. Also, the 3.8 liter engine is not nearly as quiet or refined as other reviews suggest. The seats are unsupportive and stiff, although the leather is of very good quality. Have had an ongoing problem with the airbag light coming on for no apparent reason. Finally, the trunk lid has no handle to pull it up. Sounds minor but is very inconvenient.

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  So Far so Good - 1999 Buick Century
  By GO EAGLES - January 21 - 2:34 pm

  I bought this car with only 58,000 original miles (obviously from an older couple who never drove) and paid a reasonable $4000. I have already driven it 8,000 miles in about 5 months and have had no issues to speak of. The intake manifold gasket was replaced before I bought it (apparetnly this is a common problem with this V6) and Im hoping I will only have to do oil changes for a while. The car is not fast or good looking or anything to brag about, but it is comfortable, reliable, and gets decent gas mileage. Right now I am getting about 32 highway and 25 city. I have driven this car as far north as Boston and as far south as Washington DC and many places in between with nothing bad to say.

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  Van has been good - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By R Shipp - January 21 - 12:40 am

  This has been one of the better vans I have driven. Handles well in the Canadian winters and is very stable on the highway. Though I do mostly highway diving the mileage is great for this size of vehicle. 30 to 34 MPG(CDN) & 18 MPG in the city. I have not had any of the problems that I have seen written or heard about. Though I did feel the brakes needed replacing much sooner than I expected. I have noticed the road noise is getting louder and there are a few rattles here and there and I feel the temperature may have somethin to do with it. The warmer it is the less the noise.

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  Owned this car longer than any other - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By S - January 20 - 7:12 pm

  Pulled a pop-up camper after Iinstalled cargo coils. Pulled it better than a GMC Jimmy witha 4.3 Great car, was white with a CB antenna on trunk. Was often mistaken for a police car. Very dependable but trunk leaked water when it rained