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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  under rated Buick Century - 2002 Buick Century
  By Bud Lindquist - March 24 - 2:00 am

  After my first 1000 miles of driving this car I find it to be under rated and a true value for the owner. I really like its ride. Its power is average for a family car. One gets a lot of loaded features for a great price. Ive driven better cars, but not at this price.

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  My Next Car Will Be Another Regal - 1993 Buick Regal
  By anonymous4privacy - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This has been an excellent car both on the road and in the city. The power is there when you need it. The car has a spacious, yet sporty feel.

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  My Old Friend - 2002 Buick Century
  By Mrs. Showers - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought my first car 20 years old. I bought a used 76 Century. I loved that car. I took a huge bath by trading in a 00 Volvo S40 that was mechanically unsound to come back to an old friend. Im glad I did it. This car gets better mileage than the Volvo and I know it wont be in the shop every four months. I like the ride and have no problems with the handling. I guess its what youre used to. I also have a 91 Reatta and have owned 2 other Buicks.

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  buick century limited - 2002 Buick Century
  By glovercv - March 23 - 2:00 am

  really like this car

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  jacks - 1998 Buick Regal
  By J.Siebert - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Good family car

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  Park Avenue - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By Paisley - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Buick has provided a most comfortable ride and a fair element of prestige and operational economy. The only real negative is the rapid depreciation and this will continue to plague the Park Avenue as well as most other domestic vehicles. Our service experience with the dealership has been excellent and we will probably continue to drive Park Avenues because for traveling and for storage capacity it has been a marvelous vehicle.

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  fun car - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By golf nut - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have had many new cars, this is the most fun to drive of any of them.It handles and rides very well. I have the Ultra and would like more Ultra features in it, I sold a 03 park ave when I bought this. So far I love the car.

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  I still love this car ! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Terry Schulz - March 21 - 9:30 am

  I like it so much , I may not trade it in yet.

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  Nothing but love - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By superdave_50 - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Great car

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  Fine car - 1997 Buick LeSabre
  By SamIAm - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought the LeSabre based on good reviews and they were right. Very reliable with only scheduled maint. Also plenty of room for a family of six without sitting in each others laps or holding your breath.