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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  What a vehicle! - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Elwyn Davis - January 24 - 5:26 pm

  This is the best vehicle we have ever owned, or driven. It is exceptionally comfortable, and a joy to ride in. The quietest vehicle in my experience of 50 years of driving. Some pseudo sophisticates gripe about the fake wood. Of course it is fake, but it is beautiful and adds to the excellent interior design. Get over yourselves. A friend, and MDX owner, is green with jealousy.

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  99 Buick LeSabre Custom - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By penly - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought it recently as my wifes car. Its a good solid car bought with low miles and well under book because of its fuddy duddy image. Bought it mainly for the overall value. Boy do these things depreciate fast, which worked out very well for me.

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  Love it!! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By JAZZ - January 24 - 10:00 am

  The Rendezvous is the best SUV with minivan qualities! I highly recommend it. The bucket seats in the back are great and the DVD player is a big hit with my son. Its a great car if you only have 2 kids. If you have 3 that are older then it would be ok too. Not enough room in the cargo area for a stroller, you have to put the 3rd row down.

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  Owner, 4 day"s - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Charles Skaggs - January 16 - 1:53 am

  Ive driven this Buick 100 miles,itis the quietest car I"ve ever driven. Ride is excellent.

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  The Worse Buick I Ever Had - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By Ron Tarigo - January 14 - 1:40 am

  This is my second Park Ave Ultra, and it is the worst. The gas mileage is the terrible. Suspension! You feel every crack and hole in the road. Outside sounds! You hear it all. Acceleration! Forget it. You need to press down all the way on the gas pedal to get it to accelerate. Steering! To make this car make a sharp turn, forget it. A sharp U turn it cannot do. A sharp turn into a parking space, after 3 to 5 up and backs you can get in the parking space. This is not a Park Ave Ultra. This is a car that was thrown together and put out to sell. I still have my 99 Park Ave Ultra and I will take it over this one any day. I leased the 2005 for 3yr. I wished I bought it so I could get rid of it .

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  A Buick Among SUVs - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By King of the Highway - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Not the sexiest SUV on the market, it is attractive and has the uniqueness of being a Buick. Wont see yourself like you would in a Ford Explorer. It is fairly easy to see the minivan platform the RDV is based on. Buick came up with a great design given what there was to work with. The interior is huge and quiet. The power seats are comfy, the instruments easy to read, controls easy to reach and HUD is useful. The ride is well controlled. The engine is more than satisfactory w/ a torque curve that is flat and over 200 lb/ft from 2000 to 5500 rpm. Avg 19 mpg in mixed driving.

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  What a disappointment! - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By RBorrell - January 11 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR HAS BEEN A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT! I WOULD SUGGEST THAT EVERYONE BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE ITS PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. I LOVE THE SIZE AND COMFORT OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BUT THOSE THINGS ARE OVERSHADOWED BY THE POOR RELIABILITY OF THE CAR...AND GMs POOR RESPONSE.

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  Love the Ride-Not the Problems - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By magnets4u - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Love to drive this SUV, but have had many mechanical problems. Speed sensors, front brakes and rotors, rear brakes and rotors, broken wiper motor. For 25,000 miles, this seems a bit excessive in the wear department.

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  One Sweet Ride - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By john allen newman - January 3 - 11:43 pm

  I just purchased the vehicle this month and can only say that it is one fantastic automobile. The ride is so quiet, you almost dont realize the engine is running at idle. And for those who think that there are some luxury appointments missing, no way. This car is luxury all the way, from the rich leather/wood grained interior, air/heated seats, to the remote starter; yes thats right, remote starter. From 180 feet, you can fire up the engine and have the interior waiting for your arrival at your specifications. The trunk is huge and the 18" nickel chrome plated wheels make one phat ride. If you want performance and luxury,and spend more than this, you need therapy.

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  Uncomfortable Seating - Left LaneWarning Not Reli - 2016 Buick Encore
  By John - January 3 - 4:16 pm

  The seats are made with EXTREMELY firm foam and are not designed for comfort. The front passenger seat is smaller than the drivers seat. It would be embarrassing to have a friend of a certain size not be comfortable in that seat I could only drive about an hour without getting pain in my back. THEN I READ AN EDMUNDS REVIEW WHICH MENTIONED THAT AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR IT BECAME AN UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE. The left side SAFETY ALERT is ineffective if a car is passing you at a fairly high rate of speed. By the time the left mirror lights up, the passing car is already beside you. I suspect someone is going to rely on the system and wind up in a serious accident The dash is way too complicated. The Regal model with sane featureds has an easy to read.dash. I traded for a Regal - same dealer - AND LOST THOUSANDS IF DOLLARS!