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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  2001 LS Loaded with Options - 2001 Buick Regal
  By lotech1 - May 6 - 2:00 am

  While no vehicle can be everything to everybody, the Regal is one of the best deals going. More standard features than any of the foreign sedans for thousands less plus you get a solid car.

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  Mostly Pleasant Experiences - 1998 Buick Riviera
  By Bob Burger - May 3 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought used with 24,000 miles on the odometer. A high mileage 96 Riviera was traded-in for this car. I was attracted to the Riviera by the fabulous exterior design by Bill Porter. It is a very comfortable "road car." Ive taken two 4,000 miles trips in this car. Handling would be much improved with stiffer suspension and "tighter" steering. My purchase of an extended warranty turned out to have been a wise expenditure. Major transmission work at 25,400 miles was necessary and the alternator was replaced at 28,500 miles. All things considered, I still enjoy this car. Its a landmard design.

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  KKB REGAL 2001 - 2001 Buick Regal
  By kkb - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Replaced the tail light assembly 3 times due to water in the lens, replaced the name "regal" on the right hand door.

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  1998 Regal GS 3.8 Supercharged - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Elrod - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used with 12,000 mile bumber-to-bumper warrantee. Had to replace both front and rear brakes under warrantee. Drivers window switch touchy in humid weather. Cup holder very poorly placed and cheaply made. "Sport shift" option too easy to turn off by accident. Upside? Looks very sharp - tinting windows and adding vent covers helped. I surprise a lot of people with the 3.8 supercharged engine - very few 4 doors on the road are faster. I had a 91 Pontiac Bonneville (non-supercharged) before this and the difference is dramatic. Too bad (good thing?) its electronically governed to 115 MPH.

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  A wolf in sheeps clothing. - 2002 Buick Regal
  By Bushwack - May 2 - 2:00 am

  One of the best bang for your buck cars available today. If I was to be picky, all that is missing is a GPS system. For $25,000, the Regal GS is a great car. A terrific city and highway cruiser.

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  My Buick - 2000 Buick Century
  By John Q. Brown - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I love my Buick, she is a bute and I love to drive her.

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  Enjoying my LeSabre - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Louis Exstein - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Took delivery in Oct. 1999 of 2000 LeSabre -- have driven without a single problem - milage outstanding. Averaging 28 mpg combination of country and highway driving on regular gasoline. Not unusual to drive 500 or more miles between refueling when on long-distance highway driving -- averaging over 33 mpg. Driving is a sheer joy with putting key in ignitiion and no headlights or windshield wipers to turn on.

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  The Best car out there!! - 1999 Buick Regal
  By MOE - April 30 - 2:00 am

  IT COMES WITH A SWEET STERO AND THE ENGINE IS THE BEST AND I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT.

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  Very satsified with this vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By David Flowers - April 30 - 2:00 am

  After a year and a half of ownership, my wife and I both really like the RV. We have had no problems. My wife is the main driver and she really likes the hands free cell phone as well as the good vision out the front. Interior design remains very convenient with the 3rd row seating being great to have when needed. Tinted windows in the back are nice but make backing up at night an exercise in blindness. Backup sensors in the rear bumper are nice in tight spots. We added some small convex mirrors to the side mirrors to get rid of a huge blind spot that was there despite the big mirrors. Engine power is borderline.That aside, we would buy the RV again. It continues to be a great ride!

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  My First Buick - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Schuby - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I rented a Buick LaSabre and found the automobile to be safe, comfortable, and responsive to the road conditions. I liked the interior and other features. The LaSabre is an excellent car for the price. I returned the LaSabre to the rental agency and purchased my own LaSabre the next day.