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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  A Mistake - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jerezaa - April 12 - 6:11 pm

  Bought used but shouldnt have, Luckily I got the extended warranty because 2 months later the transmission went out (While crossing the Bay Bridge into San Francisco- what an adventure!) Took a month to fix. No trouble for a while but then the something computer module which controls nearly everything went and it overheated. Spent tons of money to replace heads and the dealer (Covert Buick in Austin TX) and apparently they did not fix correctly. Its back in the shop after having it back for only 2 weeks. I should have just bought another car. The car is comfortable and I like driving it but it is the second worst car Ive ever owned (The first worst was a Renault LeCar) Dont buy it!

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  Same thing what they did with the monaro - 2011 Buick Regal
  By don_83 - April 9 - 3:03 pm

  I gave the Regal turbo and CXL a very extended test drive and here are my impressions. Its a very comfortable car with decent mpg for daily commuting. Its not a sports sedan and the steering doesnot give you any feedback and its not weighted properly. Turbo has super light steering. Interior materials are good quality and this is something you dont expect from American cars, but the thing is built in germany so go figure. I still feel that GM has done some heavy cost cutting on the Opel to sell it in the U.S for mid 20s. you get a whole lot with the CXL model but its a little on the slow side. This car leans towards the camry side of the spectrum than the kizashi.

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  Worst. Car. Ever. - 1999 Buick Regal
  By hwysqrl1 - April 9 - 12:32 pm

  I bought this car with only 19k miles on it. In three years time, I have had to replace almost every single engine part. The cup holder pulled off in my hand. The rear mirror leaked the auto-darkening stuff so you couldnt see out of it at all. The visors broke off. The gas gauge broke. The low tire & service engine lights have been on for 2 years regardless of all of the work that has been done. The heat and A/C went out. One window will only roll down halfway. The interior portion of the doors are separating from the exterior - which is severely rusting. This car is a piece of junk. It costs me about $2000 a year to keep it running. I am going to buy a foreign car as soon as I can.

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  Another quality GM product - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By forsythe - April 3 - 6:38 pm

  We leased a new lacrosse cxl last sat and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! It rides great. As comfortable as a cadillac. Steering is good, features are awesome for the money. Quiet fantastic stereo.Love the fact I can control my car with my phone through onstar. Ive read the negative comments and funny thing. Most of them all end with the same sentence" Should have gotten another toyota". Someone is coming on here and lying. Mentions of hitting your head while getting in and out and not liking where buttons are placed and cup holders... You would have noticed these things on a test drive.Toyotas are boring death traps. ASk the families that died what they think. thank you GM for another great car:)

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  Nice Car - 2011 Buick Regal
  By gdeshields - March 31 - 6:05 am

  I traded my 2008 Pontiac G8 GT (Lease) for the 2011 Buick Regal (2 weeks ago), big change in power (8 cylinders) to (4 cylinders) but, how often did I really use it. The BIG win is the cars quiet interior great sound system and gadgets galore Navigation, voice recognition, On Star, Hard Drive (the best--- you can record only the songs you like), and Bluetooth. Each day I find a new toy to play with, I expect to enjoy this car for the next 24 months. By the way with gas at $3(plus) the mileage and cash savings will be a nice change.

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  Classic American Sedan - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By burkewhb - March 23 - 7:27 pm

  I have owned my Buick Lucerne CX for 4 years and had almost no problems with it at all. The engine and transmission are both very smooth, and the acceleration, zero to 60 in 9 seconds, is not earth shaking but quite adequate. I love the looks of the car, especially the grille (I got the blacked out grille with ming blue) and the side view. The ride of the car is superb and extremely quiet. My only complaints about the car would be the around town mileage (16) is mediocre and the turning radius (44ft?) makes parking in tight spaces tricky. Over the road mileage (26) is ok.

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  2011 NEW Regal CXL Turbo in the garage. - 2011 Buick Regal
  By sjlute48 - March 15 - 11:16 am

  Check out youtube videos, 2011 Buick Regal Turbo 1 of 2 and 2 of 2 by bahabusters for the real story on this car. Review done on a german test track by professional drivers and compared to other german road car / sport sedans in its class. Then test drive one. I bought the CXL Turbo with the T07 package including the ineractive drive controls with sport and tour modes. You need the interactive drive controls to experience the full potential of this vehicle. Video Pt 2 of 2 has factory Regal doing 140 mph on the autobahn with room to spare before backing down to 100. My wife and I test drove comparable Acura, BMW, Volkswagon, Audi and KIA mid size sport sedans before making our purchase.

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  11 Regal CXL 4 - 2011 Buick Regal
  By opalcat - March 15 - 7:52 am

  I have a 11 CXL Regal replaced my 08 Buick Lacrosse that was the worst car I have ever owned (and there has been many). So far like the Regal but not real happy with the gas mileage 18 would think with a 4 cyl it would get a lot better around town. The acceleration is slower then with a 6 cyl takes getting used too. Not really good in the snow especially in VT this year. Dash board lights reflect on windshield at night also. The on star phone still does not work correctly - tell it one number and it repeats something totally different they really need to work on that. Compared the Honda accord and the Toyota Corolla to the Regal. All about the same size just priced more.

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  Worth the Money - 2001 Buick Regal
  By laura04 - March 14 - 11:14 am

  It maybe an older car but sure has everything i need and shocking it is great in the snow. Ive had no issues with except the chairs are kinda uncomfortable. So taking long trips ends up hurting my back in driver or passenger seat but could just be my car.

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  A Happy Buyer - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By xhbjjfdl212 - March 11 - 9:43 pm

  Everything good so far at 3000 miles. Could not be more happy with this Crossover. Time will tell the reliability, but as of today, it is worth every penny!