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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  headlights turn off then on at will - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By ann6701 - August 28 - 9:21 pm

  I have a 2007 Buick Lacrosse, bought a few months old, with 6,000 miles on it. No problems except replaced the cabin air filter, & battery. It now has 23,000 miles on it. Then a month ago, the headlights started going off, then back on about 10 minutes later. How many have had that problem? I was told it was the BCM, a few hundred dollars. Any other ideas that have worked? This is scary!!!!

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  LOVE IT!!!! - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By loveit2007 - August 27 - 11:49 pm

  Love this LaCrosse. Have had to barely spend any money on it. Very reliable, comfortable, and it still looks really good---cant tell its a 2007!!!

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  Very Happy - 2011 Buick Regal
  By cobra1365 - August 27 - 7:39 am

  Picked up this car to replace my wifes 05 Pontiac G6 GT. Wow, what a difference! The car is incredibly quiet and smooth. Great styling, handling and build quality. Lots of leg room! Im 511" and if I run the power seat all the way back, I cant reach the pedals! Very satisfied so far. Only cons...around town mileage is not as good as the G6 was, a slight hesitation at tip in (just as you depress accelerator), and the trim piece just above the glove box is too shiny...the angle puts a sunlight reflection right into the drivers eyes and the Bluetooth keeps losing sync with my wifes iPhone 4. If thats the worst things I have to deal with, I am going to be a very happy customer

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  Regal Turbo T02 - 2011 Buick Regal
  By whoosierdaddy - August 26 - 2:35 pm

  After 3 weeks and 1000+ miles some observations. The only way to buy this car is with the Turbo 2.0, which feels about right the 2.4L is disappointing. Light steering but you get used to it. Some turbo lag from a dead-stop, and when you punch it you get to watch Instantaneous-MPG show 3 for a few seconds. Again you get used to it. Quiet and smooth but the ride gets choppy over bumps or RR tracks. Handles nice, but those who have also driven a BMW will not confuse the two. Real MPG (doing the math at the pump): First tankful, all city/suburban, 19.2 MPG. Mixed with about 1/3 hwy, 23.5 MPG. On a 250 mile hwy trip, 34 MPG.

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  2011 LaCrosse CXL not bad - could be better - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By vakmere - August 23 - 11:04 am

  This is my 2nd Lacrosse. I had a 2007 prior to this one. Not a bad car to have as long as you don’t try to go on long trips with lots of luggage. The incredibly small trunk is annoying. My golf clubs just about fit. What were they thinking? However this shortcoming is compensated buy the roomy interior and comfortable seating. Maybe I can put suitcases on the nice leather back seat? Steering wheel will turn when riding over bumps, hold on to it. Dash is laid out well and the accent lighting is very becoming. The sunroof slides back evenly with the roof unlike my 2007 which tilted up on an angle and was noisy. Gas mileage is average and the ride can be a little noisy depending on the surface you are driving on. The ride is no longer that cushy ride I had in my 2007 Lacrosse. It’s a little stiffer and bouncier. Why did I buy it? Looks great, the price was right, holds is value longer, engine is better than the 2007 Lacrosse, and it just felt like a very solid well built car.

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  My Baby - 1991 Buick Regal
  By shietta1 - August 11 - 11:35 am

  THIS WAS MY FIRST CAR AND I LOVED IT. THIS CAR WAS SUPER RELIABLE AND IT NEVER LET ME DOWN. I WOULD REALLY RECOMMEND THIS CAR.

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  My Rivi needs help - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By kshugg - August 9 - 12:41 pm

  I bought a 96 Rivi about 3 months ago, from a dealership. Brought along my then-roommate who said he was a mechanic. He declared my car worthy of purchase, and I eagerly bought this car. I have had numerous problems with this car, from the motor mounts breaking to the transmission failing to the car overheating a lot. But I will not give up on this car. I love the supercharged engine and how it growls when I step on the gas pedal. And I have yet to see another Rivi on the road, even tho I am driving this car daily.

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  Nice Car, So Far - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By rusgc - August 7 - 4:11 pm

  Weve had it a week. My wife loves it. It feels big and a little clumsy to me, and Im used to driving a van. Limited visibility will also take some getting used to. Very comfortable seats. Gas mileage so far is disappointing, less than rated. My opinion on this and most cars now is the electronics are way over done. Too many "features" that arent necessary. Huge gripe is the lack of hanging hooks inside rear doors, instead they are half way back by the 3rd seat or cargo area. Totally inconvenient for hanging dry cleaning, and the bar I use on vacation to hang clothing. We travel a lot and this silly oversight may have been a decider to go with a Lexus.

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  In Town gas mileage BAD - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By wml1 - August 1 - 9:35 pm

  13.3 13.6 in town is awful, I traded 08 Avalanche LTZ for this. The Avalanche got 14 to 15 in town, so far Buick says its in specs I Have been a G.M. owner far over 40yrs wont even try to put a number of cars and truck,s so far I feel like G.M. s really let me down. other then that its a very nice, great confort really nice interior, I should have bought the Cad.

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  More Electrical Problems - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By brassones - July 30 - 12:50 am

  My Rainer has had soo many electrical problems. 1. No speedometer for over 2 yrs 2. No gas gauge for 1 yr 3. The ambient temp sensor was knocked loose because the water pump dislodged it causing the A/C to quit working. So its 100 degrees outside and the rad out says its -14. Cost me $600 to repair 4. And not to mention every once in a while when you hit a bump wrong at night, the headlights will just quit. And I have checked connections. Anyone else have ideas or comments.