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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  Worst Investment Ive ever made!!!!! - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By StickWithFORD - September 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has caused me nothing but problems. The day after driving it off the lot my "service tires" light came on. When I had it checked out at the dealersship I was told the pressure sensor was cracked. The dealership refused to pay for the repairs claiming it was my fault. The tires wear too easily due to the faulty rear struts. The car rattles horribly like its going to fall apart, the doors are 2 low, always hitting my head getting in. Now the car whines like a dying cat & I have gone from replacing fluid monthly to daily. The keyless entry hasnt worked since the 3rd month of me having the car. I see im not the only 1 with these issues. Entire car should be recalled. Back to Ford for me

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  Serious Reliability Issues - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By SunShine - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I wanted to love this car because it has the features that I needed, and it is my first American built car. Unfortunately, this car has had terrible reliability. The transmission had to be replaced, several rattle and motor sounds had to be fixed, the air conditioner had to be fixed twice already and it still doesnt work, and I just had to be towed, one week after my 50,000 maintenance, because of brake issues. I was on my way to taking my daughter to the hospital! I seriously regret purchasing this car.

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  p.o.s - 1996 Buick Regal
  By jmac420 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  i got a 96 regal 4 door and i paid 2400 for it and its been nothing but a nightmare first had to put struts on it in the back then a belt then both front wheel berings and now my tranny

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  Big mistake! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Dan - August 31 - 8:41 am

  I bought the van used in 2008 (58,000 mi.) Traded in Jeep Commander which just didnt have enough room for my family. Big Mistake! Nothing but problems. Drivers side power door had been "fixed" six times now. Yeah, right. Number seven is right around the corner. Tranny slipping horribly. Radio turns off by it self at random. Headlights flicker. Heated seats do not work anymore. Pass. power seat broken. Carpet stains very easy. Door handles break often. The only thing that works right is the DVD system. I have owned over 20 vehicles. This is the worst ever! And having major dealership problems now too.

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  CXL should mean Crap Xtra Large. - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Dan - August 30 - 1:00 pm

  I bought the van in Sept. 2008 to replace a Jeep Commander (Which I loved! But didnt have the room for 3 kids and all the stuff associated with them). I have to say, I am truly dissapointed with Buick and GM in general. I have had the van in the dealer 6 times for a reoccurring problem with drivers side power sliding door not closing and sending a constant alarm. Even when van is turned off, still alarms. Dealer DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT! Just keeps resetting an adjustment and Im back again a few months later. The service advisor told me today "There is a reason Buick stopped making this van, you should have read reviews before buying this piece of crap."

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  Dont buy one! - 2002 Buick Century
  By hedgeman1 - August 11 - 1:37 pm

  Every time I breathe this car breaks down. First manifold gaskets, then wheel speed sensor, then speed sensor harness, then a/c goes out then other wheel speed harness, then I have dash lights coming on like a Christmas tree on the dash! Check engine light, service engine light, abs light, traction control light! Digital odometer quit working, gear indicator no longer visible! Its one thing after another! Never ever will buy another one of these! If spent more in repairs in last 3 years then I spent for car!

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  Front seats and rear deck poor for $47K] - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Dan - July 23 - 5:49 am

  2010 Enclave--The front seats are not comfortable. They are hard and lack enough plushness and fullness. On along trip they get hard on your bottom. We have to carry a small pillow for some comfort.The passenger side will let the passenger slide forward out of the seat. It also lacks the eight way tilts as the driver side and creates leg cramps after a while.The head rests will not adjust and hits the back of a passengers head whos a shorter person. The rear deck lid fails to close many times when using the clicker or the manual electric button. It will go down part of ths way then jump back up. You have to finally push it shut by hand hoping it will latch. The next day it may work correctly.

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  2006 BUICK - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By MARY - June 21 - 3:02 pm

  2006 Buick Terraza must be one of Buicks worse vehicles, the back seats are not comfortable, only one arm rest per seat, what do you do with your other arm!!?? The Black dashboard makes the vehicle hotter, sometimes I think the air is not working.Makes load noise when turning corners . Head lights and interior lights sometimes dim. I would not buy another Buick.

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  Not a good choice - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Calgary Alberta - June 14 - 9:17 pm

  Bought a used 3.9L V6 and Im very disappointed with this vehicle. I had alarm bells going off all the time with no indication of what was wrong. I finally figured out it had something to do with one of the automatic sliding doors. I also have some sort of inconsistent transmission problem. It either clunks into second gear or it shakes into second gear. Dealer figured out the computer chip needed an update to fix the alarm bells but they cant find anything wrong with the transmission. Its also a very noisy van. Lots of rattling and road noise. Ive owned lots of different makes of vehicles and will never go back to GM.

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  Worst car I ever owned - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Carol - May 23 - 9:32 pm

  Bought this 2008 Enclave as a Certified Preowned vehicle. Had 51,000 miles at purchase. So far the air conditioner sensor, transmission & Tire sensor have had to be replaced and there was some sort of electrical short that had to be fixed. Gas mileage is about 10 in the city and about 18 on the road. Much less than advertised. They loaned me another 2008 Enclave to drive on vacation because mine was in the shop and the water pump went out in it. Transmission doesnt shift well in low speeds. RPM runs too high. Worst car I ever bought.