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:

• 

  Great Little Car! - 2017 Buick Encore
  By Karen - September 7 - 4:18 am

  This awd encore exceeded our expectations. Car has a premium look and feel. So far mpg has been excellent and the Encore drives very nice and has quite a quiet interior. Some road noise at highway speeds but the short wheelbase is to blame for that i believe. Only downside is storage capacity is somewhat lacking. But we have just one kid and it is not an issue for us. The rear seats fold down flat which is nice for additional storage. You can fold down either side or both leaving half of seating available for the kids car seat. Also the front passenger seat folds down flat for additional storage for those longer items you may transport from Ikea etc, All in all very happy with this vehicle and got it for a great price during GMs 25% off msrp sale. On side note the basicwarranty is longer on the Buicks as compared to the other GM products.

• 

  nice SUV - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By vic22 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car almost a month ago. Rides great - exceptionally smooth but not too soft - still has good cornering ability for an SUV. Without the rebates the car cannot compete well against imports mainly because of the interior design. Otherwise performance is at a par if not better. It has been a surprise to get only 15-16mpg in mixed suburb/hwy driving. Maybe during the summer it will get better.

• 

  Our Buick - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Kristine - August 30 - 2:00 am

  We purchased our Rendezvous after much consideration and deciding we werent ready for a van, but wanted the room and convenience of one. We knew we wanted better gas mileage than a traditional SUV, but didnt want a compact. We were sold after the first test drive. The comfort, the little extras, the storage...all great with the most smooth and quiet ride ever! We call it our utility vehicle, having no intention to use it road, it serves our every family utility and is simply beautiful inside and out.

• 

  Best riding, comfortable SUV I have driven. - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Mark B. - August 28 - 7:06 am

  Bought with 120,000 miles on it. Had intermittent check engine light which 3 different garages could not figure out the problem out. Turn out to be Thrust bearing in transmission which spewed needle bearings into trans which destroyed gears and torque converter; $4,000 repair. Had to change speed sensor 3 times due to Garage using after market parts: Use Genuine GM parts for Traction and anti-lock problems. Power steering pump does not provide enough boost at idle speed, i.e. parking situations. As other reviews state, gauges are unreadable during daytime due to background color, a problem made worse by a problem with panel lights dimming system which causes instrument lights to go dim during daylight when car is shifted out of Park. Had instrument cluster rebuilt and change light sensor. Dealer advised me I would have to put new radio in to solve problem(Whaaaaaat?). All that said, it is a great riding, comfortable car. After my experience with a 99 Tahoe, bought new, I too am finished with GM cars. They just cant seem to get their act together as Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, etc. have over the last decade.

• 

  Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By mary - August 27 - 6:53 pm

  I love my Enclave! It rides so smooth, handling great in the snow. I was hopeing for a little better gas milage, averages 16/17, 20max on highway. The interior is sharp w/wood grain and leather seats. I did get the DVD/Nav combo and use the Navigation daily w/my job. This vehicle is very roomy, I have space in the back to store items and also seating for 7. Do wish the 2nd row of seats could be adjusted front and back to give the back seat passangers more leg room if needed.

• 

  2008 Buick Enclave CXL FWD - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Tuckermech - August 25 - 9:16 pm

  Love it and have had it 1 month and have 600 miles on our Cocoa Metallic with Cashmere leather interior. Have Driver Confidence Package, 19 inch chrome wheels and entertainment package #1. A thrill to drive after parting with our 2004 Cadillac Deville. Love the seat height, Onstar and the attention we have been getting. Purchased the cargo shade and net and think Buick could have done a better design job on the shade. Love the room as my wife and I intend to do a lot of traveling.

• 

  GREAT VEHICULE, BUT? - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By DAVIDOFF - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Problem at 300km:solenoid (transmission)

• 

  2010 LaCrosse 3liter cxl - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By 1st Time Buick Owner - August 17 - 5:46 pm

  This is an impressive auto and in my area it was only appx $4K more than the Accords and even closer in price to the new Malibus list so I got the Buick. Insurance same as the Malibu. Appears large on the inside but sporty and stylish on the outside. This is due to the small trunk which some have panned but which I think was wise. Ext dim is somewhat wide and you sit tall (if desired). The steering is very responsive and smooth. The acceleration is not linear or quick. Its slow at first (weight?) but will then kick in. Eventual high speed very easy. Everything seems very tight and made of quality. Currently 17.7 mpg mixed. Back seat is too large for me. Rear auto sun screen is nice.

• 

  Could be my next car if.... - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By opensky1 - August 11 - 3:42 am

  This car is basically great for a baby boomer like me that wants a comfortable, safe convertible cruiser, but it needs a few additions after driving it. Even if they are stand alone options this needs blind spot/cross traffic monitoring, and adding automatic emergency braking to its forward collision warning. I would gladly pay 2 to 3 thousand greenbacks more for these options. They already have part of this on the Verano. I will be replacing my Mustang convertible with another one, loaded with all the tech (including adaptive cruise control) available now. If more is added in the next two or three years to the Mustang or even the Cascada (I dont need a fast sports car) I will trade. Smart folks my age want the driver assist tech, because as Clint Eastwood put it so well, "A mans got to know his limitations." A tech assist comfortable cruiser is in order. Bring back the Toyota Camry Solara Convertible? That puppy has a REAL back seat.

• 

  too much like your farthers Buick - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By fastphil - August 6 - 11:13 am

  manual shift on transmission is BAD; performance is weak at best; passing on 2 lane road and the damn thing up shifts at 4500 when the pedal is still to the metal; manual up shifts are so slow that you have to begin the process at 5000 otherwise it will dump you into the dreaded "overspeed" shutoff of any and all power; cannot imagine what a twisty road would be like in this unit, even if one petal to the metal it is like the Buick field mice have a conference to see if and when it might happen