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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  Best in its class. - 2002 Buick Regal
  By RegalRay - April 3 - 2:00 am

  What a great car! It has it all, good looks,comfortable ride,classy leather interior,and every conceivable convenience feature.Try to find all this in a car that will carry 5 people and do 0 to 60 in 6 seconds! All this and not one problem to report.

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  love my SUV - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Annette - April 2 - 5:00 am

  It is a great SUV, that met all of my needs. It drives like a luxury sedan, is AWD, has seating for 7 (like my previous van) and is at a good price point.

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  Poor - 1996 Buick LeSabre
  By Molly Banks - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is not a very good car, it breaks down often and is not very attractive. it gets poor gas mileage.

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  Johns car - 1997 Buick Riviera
  By Jihns Riv - March 31 - 2:00 am

  The car is excellent, like new

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  Buick Century - 2002 Buick Century
  By Jerry Moos - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a Buick Park Ave for this car.This is an excellent car for the price.While it does not have the ride and comfort of the Park Ave this car comes close in every other regard.The workmenship is excellent and every control in this car is easy to reach and understand.As for calling this an old mans car I disagree.I am middle aged and just wanted good car for my money.This car fits the bill.

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  A fine minivan alternative - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Pittsburgh Family - March 30 - 10:00 am

  After a year and 15,000 miles, here are some comments about a "well worn in" vehicle. The car handles reasonably well for its size and is very comfortable inside. The controls are logically arranged and easy to use. With the 2nd row captains chairs, we find the interior to be very accommodating - and its fairly easy for even a large adult to get into the rear seats. My only real disappointment is with the fuel economy, which even on long, flat highway trips has been WELL below expectations. We average about 17 MPG in mixed city/highway driving.

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  Good Value - 1998 Buick Regal
  By dickathy - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is very responsive on the road and gets excellent mileage (3800 engine is an excellent engine). Lots of room inside (64" driver). Cup holder in terrible place. Door alignment is not good and small things have gone wrong. Latch on center consul, lock on power windows, small glove box, squeeks in door and dash. Overall a good performer with just those minor problems.

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  Great Value - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By zman - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Best value for a used car on the market!

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  Great Family Car. - 2001 Buick Century
  By johnhomer44 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  If you are looking for a solid performing, roomy reliable car at reasonable price, this is the car for you. Solid Buick make with alot of extras for the price. Great car for a growing family like mine. Engine is smaller than the Regal or LeSabre but since my car is used about 7000 miles a year, it was fine for me. Highly Recomended

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  Buick Century - 2002 Buick Century
  By B. - March 25 - 2:00 am

  If the 2002 Buick Century is your first choice for a new car, you may want to reconsider. If a cars looks, interior ergonomics, handling, and performance characteristics are important, then you probably shouldnt bother with this Buick. The Centurys six cylinder engine is anemic its radio-tapedeck sound systen is awful and its glove box is so small it barely holds a standard size road map. What were the designers thinking? The really sad part is that car makers design and build cars like these - lacking in every respect, and then have no qualms about expecting consumers to pay $20,000 for the experience. B. Randall