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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  Buick Rainier: Too many headaches - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By nobuicksjim - February 20 - 3:53 pm

  Bad fuel sender. Buick sends a notice to finally to cover 1/2 the repair cost. Too late. Drivers side door handle. Broken twice. Part is engineered to fail. $127 to buy $4 of plastic Rear air suspension problems. This will be the last Buick I ever own.

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  Stay away from the 2008 Enclave,Traverse,Acadia - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By fr8bil - February 19 - 1:08 pm

  In 08 models of the GM vehicles sharing the "Lambda" platform including Enclave, Traverse and Acadia, GM built the V-6 using a defective timing chain. These chains are prone to stretching which throws a trouble code 1st or causes major engine damage. GM/Buicks solution is to re-program the on-board oil life monitor to advise owners to change oil more frequently which will not fix anything. If the vehicle is still under warranty when the chains stretch, they will be replaced with completely different part numbers. If not under warranty you are screwed for about a $4-$5K repair. GM refuses to do a recall and there should be a class action pn this issue. Cargo door latch, steering squeaks

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  LUCKY (I GUESS) - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By erickadam - February 19 - 1:06 am

  It has been a pleasurable 3 years I bought this car at a buy here pay here lot with 99000 miles on it, and it has been great. NO PROBLEMS, jus the usual breaks, oil change, and tires (which could get expensive). If I were to say something negative I would probably tell you that it is a gas consumer. Car has no problems, but as some of the reviews here I guess Im a lucky one. GREAT CAR!!!!

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  Attention to detail lacking.... - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By iceman721 - February 18 - 8:41 am

  I had this car as a long term rental and put several thousand miles on it. I am a previous Lexus & Cadillac owner. This car drives as well as the car it copied (Lexus LS 350). It is surprisingly quiet for an American car (on par with Lexus). The ride is also quite good over smooth pavement and acceptable on the rough stuff. The little things get annoying very quickly (see improvements). I wouldnt buy one of these new but I would consider one with low miles and a great price on the used market. The reliability ratings for the Buick brand have been above average which may inspire confidence. Set the bar higher Buick pay attention to the details.

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  Not Your Fathers Buick - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By mike652 - February 15 - 8:23 am

  Having been longtime Pontiac owners we always thought Buicks styling and road manners skewed old. This is not the case with the LaCrosse. The looks are outstanding but it comes at a price. It is hard to judge the front and rear of the car and the blind spots when changing lanes are hard to see. It takes some getting used to but consider getting back up assist and blind spot alert. It has a sporty road feel without a punishing ride. The seats are very comfortable. The layout of the instrument panel is such that the tilt wheel is always obstructing something. The digital speedometer is a big help. The trunk is only adequate for luggage for two. Thats the price you pay for the large back seat

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  LOVED my Buick - 1997 Buick Century
  By roxy0416 - February 13 - 1:02 pm

  I have driven my Century for 7 years and my grandma had it long before that and it has been an incredible car. I just recently bought something else, and retired this one at 132,000 and its still going! Sure, Ive had to do some major repairs, but its getting old. The car is incredibly durable. It can truly take anything. With good tires, its perfect in snow. Ive had my new car for 3 days, and already can tell its not going to be nearly the car my Century was.

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  Love my Rainier - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By layla4909 - February 11 - 6:22 pm

  I amazed when I see the bad reviews from people. My Rainier has been so good to me. I love it sooooo much. My husband has always wanted to take it from me and keep it as his own. It handles so well. I feel safe. I know my kids are safe. The ride is so smooth. The sound system is great. For the price, I feel that I have gotten so much more than I paid for. Love it. Love it. Love it. Cant wait to get my next Buick. I am sold and super excited about all the new models Buick is offering. To be honest I always thought Buicks were just for "old people". Forget about it. The new models are hot!! and I cant wait to trade up! Wont be the least bit apprehensive either.

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  GS=Great Surprise - 2012 Buick Regal
  By nodrums - February 11 - 2:44 pm

  Ad a owner of a high end sports car it was difficult to find a 4 door that was fun. Many reviews and two test drives latter I plunk down my money quickly. Fantastic brakes. Check. Manual transmission smooth as butter.Check. Quiet and comfortable. Check. Point and shoot with finesse and feeling. Check. Enough HP to get into and out of trouble Check. This car was the biggest shock Laden with technology and adjustable suspension setting will never get me bored. Thank you GM for giving me a reason to be both practical and fun while doing it comfortably, without spending a ton of cash.

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  Way better than expected - 1999 Buick Century
  By paul2002 - February 7 - 4:23 pm

  Purchased this in 2007 when I had a vehicle emergency. Needed a car, and this was going for $3500 with only 89K miles. I figured Id drive it until I found the car I was looking for. Now 5 years and 100K miles later Im still driving it. Its going on 200K miles, and I still havent had to replace anything! The miles Ive put on it have been all highway, but it just wont die. Oil changes every 6000 miles, and one set of tires. Ive done nothing else. Reliable and cheap if you are picking one up used, but a word of caution...dont purchase this car if you are around 40 years old. You are almost guaranteeing early onset of a mid-life crisis, which might result in your purchasing a Corvette.

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  Beautiful, but unreliable - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By mlerlie - February 7 - 6:56 am

  Have owned luxury German cars for well over three decades but the beauty of the Enclave won us over while living in hilly Maryland. Big mistake. Expensive mistake. As other reviewers say, there are too many things going wrong for such a young vehicle. Plastic outside between the windows bubble/ripple, car rolls back while in drive on a hill as if it were in reverse, car rolls at least 6 inches after putting it in park on flat land, knocking noise when turning steering wheel either way, absolutely abysmal gas mileage - bottom end of mpg range, very sluggish on hills, but the deal breaker was the slipping transmission on a 3 year old car with less than 50k miles. Went back to BMW after 10 mo.