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:

• 

  My white on white trim very rare - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By White on White Conve - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I have rebuilt almost the entire car. Only thing I have left is interior seats. Some simple external fixes. This car has new engine, 1990 Buick replacement engine, new transmission, air, original paint white on white trim which is a special order. Car is fun to drive, new top, great tires, I love it!

• 

  great suv - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By nana - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my suv new in jan 2004 and i now have over 191,000 miles..just put the first battery on it still had the original..no major issues just normal work down..I cant complain..Ive owned 2 buick now and they both have been great vehicles and very reliable

• 

  Rendevous Troubles - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Rendevous Troubles - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a brand new 05 Rendevous in April 2005 and have had continuous troubles from 3 months into the purchase. The following are issues I have had to fix: Front tire hubs x6, wiring to traction control, wiring to steering wheel, wiring to heating and air conditioning control, tire bushings, back window washer arm, rear hatch handle x2, console cover, and most recently a transmission. Some of the issues were covered under the factory warranty but most were covered by the extended warranty at $200 each repair. When you buy a new car you dont expect issues such as these. If I had to do it all over again, I would have never bought this car. I should have researched consumer reports first!

• 

  Itll Certainly Turn Heads - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By D. Huff - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Before my Lacrosse I owned a Cadillac DHS. I bought this car because I felt if Cadillac was shrinking the size of their vehicles and adding more plastics, then I would get more bang for my buck with Buick. I was right. I absolutely love this car. When on the highway in Sport mode this car will be over 100 in the blink of an eye.

• 

  Comfort Extraordinaire - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By Kurt - November 29 - 2:00 am

  We are in our third week of Enclave ownership and have never been as impressed with a vehicle as we are with our 2011 CX-L1 White Diamond. Every trip we taken in it, from the jaunt to the grocery to the long distance trip, has been a pleasure. Buick is back! Have not owned a Buick since 1995, been driving Hondas, but I am glad to say I am back in a Buick.

• 

  Disappointed - 2011 Buick Regal
  By disappointed - November 28 - 2:00 am

  After 300 Miles my new Regal left me stranded in the middle of a busy intersection and was carted back to the dealer for a new fuel pump. A hundred miles later it’s developed an annoying sheet metal vibration, back to the dealer again.

• 

  Just Leased - 2011 Buick Regal
  By cataclysmo - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Never in my life would I have thought it possible but I just leased a CXL after turning in my 02 325i and am really blown away by what you get for the money. It reminds me a lot of my BMW but it is cheaper and a lot better equipped, even for the base model. Im really surprised I hadnt heard more about this car. Be sure your dealer throws in the cap reduction cash for owners of different makes. Will check in with a later review when it has more miles, but Buick is clearly not your father Buick anymore.

• 

  LaCrosse CXS owner - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By berne1 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this new LaCrosse. Got mine in June, after 5 months it has been flawless! Got the CXS with every option but the Touring package. Blue w/Cashmere interior. This cars performance is phenomenal and returns above average MPG. Standout qualities are interior quietness, exterior design, ride and handling. The Navi system is first-rate with high-def graphics lacking in other GM offerings. I get lots of compliments at the gas station, in parking lots, etc. Really a departure from the previous model they had out. I am glad I gave this car a try, I love it!

• 

  Dream Machine Buick Enclave CXL1 - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By texasdriver7 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  The Buick Enclave proves American can- do and ability to make and deliver a terrific product is still possible! Its a dream to drive, comfort is its first name, style is its second, great design and layout is its third. The Buick Enclave can actually comfortably take 7 people for a nice drive. Its very easy to turn it into a cargo hauler, easy to convert back to a passenger car, or use it both ways at the same time! My dog has lots of room in the back. The back has great AC to keep everybody comfortable. LOTS OF CAR FOR THE MONEY and Terrific design and comfort. This was a good investment in a super set of driving wheels!

• 

  Buick Enclave dream machine - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By Texas Driver - November 24 - 2:00 am

  After so many years of owning Japanese designed cars I decided it was time to try American cars again. Finally the American auto makers are back on track with terrific and extremely competitive products! The Buick Enclave is a beautifully designed and built car, it has all the bells and great technology along with superb driving comfort! Perfect for my family and flexible in design to meet my needs (somewhere between a car and a pickup with a minivan thrown in is basically what I needed). Excellent styling in and out. Excellent layout. EXCEPTIONAL ride! More power than I expected and so so on MPG, looks like its around 17 to 18 around town. Top 5 star safety rating -its a WOW!