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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  Im buying GM cars again! - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Volvo Lover - July 11 - 11:40 am

  I am willing to bet that at 31, I am the youngest person to write a review on this car! LoL! My last vehicle was a Volvo S70, so dont think I am someone who blindly loves GM. When I heard Buick was #1 in reliability from JD Powers, I decided to check them out. It had everytihng I wanted pleanty of options, under 25k, excellent record of reliability, V6 power, comfortable ride, etc. I was acutally looking at Volvo S40s and Audi A3s, but stopped by the Buick dealer on whim. Overall, the Buick had more HP and standard options than the others, but most importantly, it has a much better warranty! I liked the fact that Buick stands by their product for 100k miles! I am pleasently surprised!

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  At least it looks diffrent - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By sr71 - July 10 - 10:30 pm

  Well I have close to 10k on this SUV. And I have to say it has not seen the dealer yet, but for the 1st oil change. I do have to say I am happy with the mpgs I an getting. At 80 Im seeing 24.7 av mpgs on the FL. TPK. So Im glad I did not get a V8 powered SUV. Around town as a kid transport you could do a lot worse, I talked to a lot other mid sized SUV owners and while they like there MB MLs, BMW X5s and the lot, the x-tra bucks they spent may have been, as some have said un-wise.

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  No problems so far - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By been good to me - July 8 - 2:44 pm

  Ive owned this car for 3 years bought it with 35,000 on it. Ive since put another 75,000 and it still runs well. No serious problems. I love driving it. Everyone I know that has one says that they love it.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Pete Hulett - July 6 - 10:13 am

  I had problems with the ignition from the start. This Buick refused to start and was at the garage three times for this and they could not find the problem. I moved and it stopped moving day and was repaired in a city. worked 6 months and did it again. They reprogramed the keys this time. Now just this month it did it again. Well this time it was the fuel pump - only 41000 miles and its gone $611 to repalce, thnk goodness for extened warranty. I have owned Buick for 20 yrs with no issues like this. My last Buick had 172,000 and no issues. There will not be another one after this one. Have to keep it as no ones buying them now. Just waiting to see what is going next.

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  Bought it used. - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Joey - July 6 - 9:55 am

  I like the vehicle a lot. My only problem is the fact that it suddenly depriciated. Now I am upside down with payments and cannot think of buying something new until its near paid off.

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  Very happy except - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By Dave - July 5 - 2:54 pm

  It is a great car. The only thing I dont like is the gas tank door on these tend to rust long before any other part for some reason. There are not that many in the bone yard so I spent a whole day trying to find one.

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  06 Rendezvous - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Cathy - June 30 - 10:34 pm

  The Rendezvous has been a great family car. Its only been in the garage for normal maintenance. Great advantages from both an SUV and vans standpoints. It has 60000 miles now and still nothing major with it.

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  Good car, but not a Park Ave - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By happylegs - June 30 - 4:01 pm

  I own a 2003 Buick Park Avenue, and I bought the 2007 Lucerne CXL in February 2008 as a retirement vehicle. It only took one 400 mile trip to make me appreciate my Park Avenue, and be glad that I did not sell or trade it. I love the way the Lucerne handles on a rainy road however, the seats are not comfortable, the gas mileage is poor, the entry and exiting process is a torture for me at 6 2, and left turns and parking are a chore. My long road trips will continue to be made in the Park Avenue. My wife can drive the Lucerne around town. I will only buy another Buick if they improve on the issues mentioned.

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  Great little car - 1995 Buick Regal
  By Zilca - June 21 - 3:48 pm

  I bought this cute little car 7 years ago, used, with 80k miles on it. I now have 140k, and its still going strong. I get about 27mpg highway. It has plenty of pickup, and is very comfortable. I do reg.maintenance/oil changes. I have had to replace the water pump and wheel struts, and put all new brakes on last year. I keep thinking I should buy a newer car, but this one is so reliable and economical!

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  Great Car but... - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Rob1958 - June 18 - 3:38 pm

  I have owned this car for 10 months. Mostly highway driving. I love the ride of the vehicle and have no complaints about the gas mileage that this V8 gets (22+mph). My complaint is about the oxygen sensor. My check engine light has been a problem since 5,000 miles and it all revolves around the oxygen sensors. I have had the car in for service on 8 times and all but one was for the oxygen sensor. When I took the car in for the PA Annual Vehicle Inspection, Penske Buick had the car for over one week and finally got it to pass inspection after replacing the oxygen sensor and part of my exhaust system. Thank God for the warranty! Buick has a winner here. Just need to correct this problem.