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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  Glad she drove the Turbo - 2011 Buick Regal
  By rich8087 - May 20 - 3:13 pm

  My wife has driven BMWs for years but the economy downturn made her start looking for something a little less costly but something that still had the perks of her BMW. She finally decided to look at the Regal and really liked it. It had all the perks of her BMW Plus. She drove the 2.4 and was satisfied with it. Then the saleman suggested she drive the turbo version and she was hooked. Car is fun to drive, plenty of power and gets slightly better gas milage than her 3 Serries. Is a little bigger but she loves all of the extras. Very happy with her decision.

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  Great car. Great value - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By normanrubin - May 16 - 6:54 pm

  I just purchased the 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The two other cars that I test drove were the Lexus ES 350 and the Lincoln MKS with ecoboast. The Lacrosse was by far the best value. The Lexus was bland and much more expensive than the Lacrosse. Aside from price and styling, I believe the cars were comparable. The MKS was 10K more than the Lacrosse and in my opinion, was unattractive.

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  Rear Bumper - 2009 Buick Lucerne
  By lbernard1 - May 16 - 1:26 pm

  Been driving my car for two years and enjoy the ride but I have a problem. Gravel get behinf the bumper and if touch by another car the stone goes through the bumper making a lump on the bumper I had to get it fixed cosating me over $500.00 and when approach the dealer they call it highways hassard. They should make sure that gravel doesnt get behind the bumper Leonce Been driving a buick most of my life but dont know if I will continue if they are not suitable to drive on road beside paved highways

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  Encore Enclave - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By steves1961 - May 10 - 8:25 pm

  This our second Enclave. Our first was a 2008. Best Crossover on the Market. Handles well, plenty of interior Room for the family. Great quality and ride. Toatlly satisified with the Enclave .

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  Best used vehicle Ive even owned! - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By guy41 - May 6 - 3:43 pm

  I fell in love with the styling of the 1995 Riviera when it was first introduced. In 2007 I finally purchased a 1995 with 170,000 on the clock for a second car. That was four years ago and the Riviera now has 229,000 miles on it. This car is a pleasure to drive and I still can’t get over the sleek lines of the body and its beautiful interior. The only repairs its required so far is replace the idle pulley and serpentine belt along with the plug wires and spark plugs. That’s it except for regular fluid and filter changes. I check my mileage with every fill-up and the average ranges from 27 to 28 mpg. Long trips can yield anywhere from 28 to 32 mpg depending on the weather conditions and terrain. The car still rides and handles very well and the comfortable quiet interior makes long road trips enjoyable. In fact anyone that has ridden in the back seat has commented on how much room there is and how comfortable it is. Because of its looks a lot of people think it is something newly introduced and seem surprised when they find out its 16 years old. Even when compared to the Cadillac’s, Volvos, Audis and other cars I’ve owned, the Riviera has proven to be the well-engineered with the highest overall quality. If Buick still made the Riviera, I would definitely buy another.

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  it may be my first but surely will be the best - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By redneckracer93 - May 5 - 1:30 pm

  yea i may be only 17 and it may be my first car i originally bought the car from my father whom a bought for a little dealership in town and he had to put some money in it but no big deal he drove it for two years then i got the car and had to replace the front caliper slides and the ignition module those have been the only things that i had that really needed replace other than that it is the best riding comfortable ride i have rode in and it is really reliable yea the gas mileage is great for that size of car wish it was a little better but still no complaints

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  this car saved my life - 1999 Buick Regal
  By patrickc1550 - April 30 - 5:52 am

  this car is by far the best i have ever owned im looking for my next regal since mine was totaled. at 50+ mph head on collision i walked away with a brused knee and a broken heart to see her like that i only had to keep up regaular maintance the hole time i owned it. before the wreck it had just went over the 250xxx mile mark and still ran like it was brand new i know i could easily got another 250xxx miles out of her i would reccomend this car to every one for safty and reliability

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  who would of thought a Buick could be a fun car? - 2011 Buick Regal
  By detectorist - April 27 - 1:23 pm

  After reading all of the hype on the new 2011 Regal Turbo, I finally broke down and bought one with the T07 package on April 5, 2011. Everything they say about this vehicle is true. It is quite a change from most of the staid Buicks from the past. The styling is fantastic, and the interior is comfortable with plenty of room for my 6 frame. With the interactive system you have almost a sports car feel with this vehicle, and a decent mpg.

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  Most comfortable car in the world.....at a price - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By bigboatlover - April 16 - 10:24 pm

  I bought the car with 218000kms, fully loaded and aside from some surface rust on the usual LeSabre spots(near rocker panels) the car was immaculate. Now the car is at 236000km and the car has giving me the following grief: starter, left ball joint, serpentine belt, belt tensioner, and now a main seal oil leak at 236000kms! The car is worth the same at the repair job for the oil leak, im sorry by in 18000kms I have shoveled way too much into this car, the car has given me too much trouble after being perfectly fine 9 months ago.

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  2004 Buick rendevous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By buickjunk1 - April 16 - 3:35 pm

  Thought all the bugs would be gone by the 3rd year. Problems with brakes at 25k miles, window wiring, transmission at 79k miles, fuel tank and we will see what is next.. I felt good about buying a buick, but now I will never purchase one again. Probably done with GM. Sad the American car keeps on disappointing.