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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  Buick finds its way again! - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Sam Spear - January 28 - 10:43 am

  This car is quiet, powerful, well- built, comfortable, and an absolute joy to drive. The sound system is exceptional. The drive train is smooth, but gets the car up to cruising speed in a hurry. Mine is Black Onyx and is quite eye-catching. This is Buick as Buick should be - a premium car in every respect!

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  Great Car - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By cmann - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car new and have enjoyed it ever since. It is the second Park Ave. that I have owned after owning Cadillacs. Had 1 problem with the electronic dash, dealer fixed it under warranty and have not had any problems since. The back seat is slightly smaller than my lst Park Ave., but still quite comfortable. The suspension has really been improved and rides as smoothly has the Japanese Luxury cars. I bought it fully loaded and love all the bells and whistles.

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  LOVE MY RENDEZVOUS - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By SALBERT - January 27 - 10:00 am

  ONLY OWNED A WEEK BUT I LOVE THIS CAR. FUN TO DRIVE, INTERIOR ROOM AND LUXURY FEATURES CANT BE BEAT. KIDS LOVE THE ROOM IN THE SECOND AND THIRD SEATS. SURE MOST SUVS SPORT A LITTLE MORE POWER BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS PLENTY WHEN YOU NEED IT. QUALITY, RELIABILITY ASK ME IN 4-5 YEARS BUT AFTER SPENDING AT LEAST 8 GRAND LESS THAN A COMPARABLE LEXUS RX300 (W/O 3RD SEAT) ILL TAKE MY CHANCES.

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  Big car, great gas mileage - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By TMM - January 19 - 6:36 am

  I bought this so I could have a big luxury car, yet also wanted to be able to get wife and all 4 of my kids in if necessary. Great on cruising interstates, and pretty good on curvy roads as well. Its very roomy and comfortable with a large trunk. Surprisingly great gas mileage, around 27-30 on highway. It has served my purposes well as a luxury car for business driving, yet its good for family trips. Its reliable with no mechanical or engine problems, and gets good gas mileage for a car of this size to boot.

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  A Must See and Drive! - 2016 Buick Envision
  By Couldnt be Happier! - January 18 - 8:11 am

  We were trying to downsize from our GMC Acadia. Weve leased an Acadia for over 6 years and our youngest just left for college SO our full size SUV needs changed. We were seriously considering a full size sedan ( Buick Lacrosse or Toyota Avalon) BUT our salesman encouraged us to just take a look at the Envision. We wanted the moon roof and the navigation upgrade. This has a great ride and is fun to drive. Its true we have just taken possession but it fits everything we could ask for in a luxury SUV.

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  My best car - 2002 Buick Park Avenue
  By Ian_Baker - January 12 - 12:43 pm

  Dont believe the review that says this drives like a BMW. It doesnt. I had a 1984 BMW M6. Fantastic, but totally impractical. I bought the Buick as my winter car with 95,000 miles on it when 3 years old - my 3rd Park Avenue. I still own the Park Av, but not the BMW. If you want a car to zip along an autobahn buy a BMW, if you want a car to drive on the typical lousy roads that you get in New England, buy the Buick. The one I bought had all the toys, rear parking, touring package, heads-up display. Its a really great car. Dont believe the mileage - I get 18 "city" and 27-30 mpg, depending on how hard I drive, on the interstate.

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  highway driving - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By william ridenour - January 12 - 10:00 am

  vibration in front end when exceeding seventy miles per hour or more and no one seems to know why or explain the problem.

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  Decent SUV - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By klkrlk - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I have been satified with this vehicle for the last 3 years; no real major problems. Only the A/C compressor went out at about 30K (under warranty). My only real complaint is the materials used in the vehicle just "feel" cheap; not up to other luxury SUV standards. However, this vechicle is loaded with options and has great passenger/storage room. I have noticed a lot of rattles and squeeks (sun roof, seats, doors, etc). Just one final note: Depreciation is HORRIFIC; so if you get one, you need to keep it a LONG time. I just purchased a RX 330 and cant give this car away!

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  My Third Rendezvous - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tom Garove - January 12 - 10:00 am

  The 2005 Rendezvous Ultra is my third Rendezvous that I have owned and exceeds my expectations set by my previous Buicks. It provides all of the comfort needed for long road trips and the power I need to pass slower traffic during expressway driving . Buick put a lot of thought into improving the interior features of the 2005 Ultra including the additional option of Captains chairs which I ordered on my vehicle. The added power of the new v-6 engine has provided me with the extra pwoer I felt I was missing in my earlier vehicles while not significantly sacrificing gas mileage.

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  Classy car - 2014 Buick Verano
  By Karen Gorbaty - January 7 - 3:03 pm

  Safety, gd on gas, comfortable smooth ride