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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  OLD WHITE and RELIABLE - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By BILL - June 13 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the best of the best and I have owned a lot of cars!! It now has 222,932 and no rattles. It is smooth,quiet and cleans up like new. I keep thinking it is a super secret car and Buick is going to come take it back.The first 190,000 miles all I did oil,lobe and put on new tires!! New exhaust and timing chain since. I have a 2000 Lesabre-it sits--OLD WHITE travels-quiet-regal and smooth

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  Best American Sedan, period. - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Dozer - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding car! Simply better in every way than my 1995 Taurus SHO (which was itself a GREAT car). Flat out fastest American sedan out there("Buick? Yes!"). Current headlines on Buick quality are absolutely correct this thing is screwed together very well. Torsional rigidity is light years beyond my SHO. If you can get past the oxymoron "Buick Sports Sedan" youll find that this is quite simply the best all-around American sedan you can own. No Kidding.

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  Perfect Florida Car - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By JAC - June 12 - 11:19 pm

  My wife and I had a Pontiac G6 convert and also a VW EOS. This car runs circles around them both, especially the EOS, leaks were constant under heavy rain or car wash. The seats are very comfortable, sound system is great and everything is close to the touch. We recently took a road trip to Naples Fl. from Tampa and got 29.8 MPG. Not bad for a car with only 300 miles on it. We look forward to driving this car every chance we get!

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  The Modern Classic - 1991 Buick Reatta
  By rhr_entrepot - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Reatta. The first was an 89 coupe purchased with 40000 miles on it. It now has 200000 on it and is still ready for cross country touring. The 91 convertible has been trouble free and driven every day for nearly 100000 miles. The only critism is that the motors that operate the headlamps tend to wear at about 100000 miles and are expensive to replace. Both cars still generate "neat car" comments from young and old. Repairs and maintenence are no different nor any more costly than any other GM car. They do however seem to be less frequent. If my garage was big enough I might try to find another one and start a real collection!!!

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  Great Buick - 1996 Buick LeSabre
  By charliebrown - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Even though my grandson says this is an old lady car, I do not feel like one when I am driving it! It handles well and I feel safe under all circumstances. It is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time,and any guests who sit in the back seat are also comfortable. All in all, I would recommend this car to people of all ages.

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  Solid, strong car - 1996 Buick Regal
  By SleeStaK911 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought this as a program car with 19k on it. Lots of power, nice anemities and handling. Huge, comfy back seat. Bad lumbar support, though. Only replaced water pump and alternator during life of car! Hate to sell it, but the floormats are all wore out!...

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  1998 Century - 1998 Buick Century
  By DC2002 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle that offers reliability, comfort and good build. I just bring the car in for regular maintenance and I find the repairs to be far less expensive than my previous foreign car... Infinity M-30. Great stereo, ABS braking system and nice interior.

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  Good Reliable car - 2000 Buick Century
  By INcarguy - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Good car. Never going to give you any major problems. Buick hasnt changed this style in years, had plenty of time to perfect it. Car is very comfortable, great for long trips and gets good mileage for its size. The V6 responds well and is always reliable.

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  Bought new, great car! - 1998 Buick Century
  By BobO - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Love the car. Very, very comfortable seats, smooth ride. Great on long trips. Only problem so far, after 4 yrs/30,000 mi. -- after two years the comfort control display began to fade - replaced under warranty. Would certainly consider buying again.

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  Comfort Not performance - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Cheshire - June 11 - 2:00 am

  The 98 Buick is a smooth riding, dependable car. The only bad thing is that it has a tendency to waddle on turns and when changing lanes.