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:

• 

  Best Family Car ever owned - 1995 Buick Regal
  By beckasalls - January 4 - 7:09 pm

  My husband and i have a Buick Regal Custom 1995 his father helped us purchase the vehicle it had 82000 on it and bought it for 1400. We have had to do minor work on it like, transmission line, brakes, struts, fuel pump, and ball joints. We got the car November 2007, we have also taken it on a road trip to North Carolina, Mississippi, back to North Carolina, then back to our home state vermont. Thats 3281 miles and at one point during the trip we got 450 miles to the tank (3.8L) before the low light kicked on. It was great. The car is still running great and i love the ride of this car and the gas milage. At the moment we have 133600 on it and plan to hit the 200000 mark or even past it.

• 

  Love it! - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By allanfam4 - December 31 - 7:20 am

  Have only had my new Enclave for one week, but already love it. My husband surprised me with a Cyber Gray CXL-1 for Christmas. Several months ago, we test drove the Traverse, Enclave, Mazda CX-9, and Honda Pilot. I told him that when we were ready to purchase, I definately wanted the Enclave. Previoiusly had a 2003 Trailblazer EXT, which I also loved, but after 8 years and 100,000 miles, I was ready for something that had all the newest features (including safety features). The ride is incredibly smooth and quiet, and it is extremely comfortable. Already took it on a three hour road trip, and we were all comfortable. Got about 20 MPG on the highway and have gotten 18 in town.

• 

  Trying to be loyal - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By manymiles - December 28 - 4:08 pm

  Come on GM, where is the quality? We have 48,000 miles on our Enclave. In the last four months we have replaced the rear HVAC unit, steering speed sensor, water pump, rewired the trailer harness (incorrect from factory), replaced a screw that was loose from the air box and rattling (very annoying), and now a tpms is faulty causing a low tire every morning! Trying hard to remain a GM fan but these problems are making it difficult. If we travel very far these days we always take our Acura, VERY DEPENDABLE!!!

• 

  31 year old owner - 2011 Buick Regal
  By 1487 - December 28 - 10:47 am

  I guess I will be the first to offer comments after 5k miles and nearly 6months of ownership. Thus far there havent been any real issues. The only "problem" I have is that the horn doesnt sound when the doors are locked even though I have that setting selected in the DIC. I havent been back to the dealer yet. The ride and handling are excellent as is the build quality on this car. Love the H/K stereo and the excellent MP3 integration. I really thought I was going to miss the lack of CD changer but with so many other options its no big deal. The backseat is tight for adults but OK for kids. The styling garners lots of compliments from strangers- even people in traffic. People love the looks

• 

  Not world class - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By cbrzezinski - December 23 - 5:34 pm

  We bought this car maily because it looks great. But thats where it ends. There are several serious blind spots, the front headrests push your head very far forward making it very uncomfortable. Cheap materials like the carpeting, no trunk release from inside the car, no gas door lock, etc. After 2,000 miles the car has been in for several repairs with more to come. We are getting 12 miles to the gallon - dealer says all his customers are getting far less than whats advertised. Several mouldings dont even come close to lining up. Fit and finish widely varies by each vehicle on lot. Any interested buyers?

• 

  Love my new Regal! - 2011 Buick Regal
  By maragyrl - December 19 - 9:48 am

  I have been driving Hondas since I was 16. I am now 34 and this is the first time I have bought any American car let alone a Buick. I first saw the new Regal on the road and in advertisements. The sporty exterior really appealed to me. I then did some research and saw how many great features came standard with the car. I got an RL3 for $27K MSRP (less with dealer incentives). The car is stylish, fuel efficient, has a beautiful leather interior (with power adjustable front seats and seat warmers), rear parking assist, dual climate control (with vents in the back seat area too), integrated blue tooth, XM, and iPOD docking station. The On-Star is pretty cool too. I now enjoy my commute!

• 

  Good fuel economy for such a large car with good reliablity - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Anonymous - December 13 - 8:18 am

  Although I have only owned the Buick for one year, it has been a year of trouble free operation. Two oil changes and 13,000 miles later (first at 3,000, second at 13,000), and that is all the service has been - less than $100. The oil sensor is a nice touch, you only get oil changes when the car tells you it is time too based on driving conditions. It is very comfortable and the whole family likes its features as mentioned below. The teething problems the people in 2008 seems to have benefited the later model years with additional features such as GPS with traffic navigation, more horsepower with the same gas mileage, and overall just a better car with imrproved transmission performance.

• 

  GM Quality gone? - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By creeker00 - December 12 - 9:22 am

  Switched over from Dodge/Jeep to GM in purchasing the 08 Enclave and what a mistake that was. Guess next time I will go with a Ford, as GM and Dodge have obviously went way downhill. Car rides better than any Ive driven. Seat comfort and features such as dual climate control, heated seats, etc. are great. But, with under 50,000 miles on the vehicle the control buttons have lost their paint, the leather seats are terribly worn just from normal use, the rear climate control has had to be replaced due to non-functioning and is acted up again. Also, the transmission had to be completely replaced after 40,000 miles and the rack and pinion had to be replaced. Poor, Poor quality for $37K.

• 

  LaCrosse: American Company, Global Design - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By timinwi - December 9 - 10:25 pm

  All in all This is one of the most uniquely-designed cars I have ever owned. Of course its a GM product, but its also an amalgamation of engineering and design elements from Germany, Asia, as well as America. You would think that this would make for an odd combination, but all the elements really work well together. I bought the CX model with the V-6 and comfort convenience package for 26K which included a credit union discount and a loyalty discount - a great value for a refined, smooth riding, performance (280hp) car. The CX has cloth seats and I really recommend giving the cloth a look before springing for the leather on the CXL or CXS. The cloth is very comfortable and luxurious.

• 

  A Test Drive you MUST take! - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By WIlliam - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I have been circling around the 2011 LaCrosse since early September and finally took the plunge last week. It is exciting to drive and handles like and rides like a dream. My CXRs 3.6L V6 engine has you up to top speed in no time flat! Anyone in the market for a new car must take the new LaCrosse for a test drive!