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 I didnt buy a Pacifica - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By BuickOwner - July 12 - 8:02 pm

  I was looking to buy a pacifica but after driving the Rendezvous I was sold. 3400 v6 in my car really has potential, I can pass with little effort the ride is unmatched. The AWD (versatrak) works Flawlessy. It always kicks in when I need it. Ice and Snow are no problem in fact I took a trip to minnesota to a ski resort. There was quite a bit of snow and ice. My daughter has a 2005 Honda CRV (She hates it.) and the real time 4wd could not handle the weather so my Rendezvous became the transport for 2 families. My Rendezvous Plowed right through the snow with out hesitation. I have never had a problem with it. A/C is the coldest that I have ever had in a car and have no problems with it.

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  Great Vehicle - but - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Jimbo - July 12 - 1:21 pm

  The Enclave is a great vehicle but a few things Buick needs to change: 1. Rain gutter over the doors - in rain or after an open door leads to the seat below getting soaked with the runoff from the roof. 2. If you open the rear seat windows while the front windows are up, the vibration is incredible - the car shakes badly, this is a problem! 3. Put the outside temperature gauge on the mirror with the compass. The passenger, my wife, cannot see the temp in the dash cluster and Im tired of having to tell her what the temperature outside is every 30 miles...

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  We love our Park Avenue! - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By 007 Blond - July 10 - 2:03 pm

  Our 2003 Buick Park Avenue is a pleasure to drive. There are no blind spots so we have full view of what is around us when maneuvering in traffic. Comfortable ride is what we get, even on bumpy roads. Our other car, a Lexus, has a blind spot and we feel every bump, so we really appreciate riding in our Buick. There are no rattles so body integrity is built in. Our only problem at the moment is that we need new wheels because of a damaged rim and the dealer is having a problem getting replacements. This car is great and we hope Buick brings back the Park Avenue.

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  2004 Rendezvous Good Buy - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Peter Minior - July 10 - 1:25 am

  I own a 2004 Rendezvous CXL AWD and find it a very well constructed SUV, good handling, excellent ride, and quality construction. I have had no mechanical problems just normal maintenance in 37,000 miles of driving. The only dissapointment is that I get 15 MPG local driving and just 18 MPG highway driving. However, the excellent visibility with the sloped front hood and large side mirrors makes the SUV fun to drive. My wife loves this SUV and the relatively low step up height makes it easy to enter and leave this vehicle. GM may be having its financial problems but it hit an affordable home run with this SUV model. The Enclave is a very attractive replacement for Rendezvous but is too large!

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  happy riding - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By tish - July 9 - 10:00 am

  The buick rides like a sedan rather than an suv. Its a comfortable luxury ride all the way. The build is solid. The fuel economy is average or a little better for a suv. The hatchback is a little heavy. I feel its the best suv for the bucks by far.

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  Luv it so much, I bought another1 - 1991 Buick Riviera
  By w5243 - July 9 - 7:39 am

  I was never 1 to be what i callld a luxury car person, but I been hooked on it since i bought my 91 2years ago. This car has it all. Its a solid vehicle that gives you the (classy look), with a powerful enough engine and smooth transmission to give you the sporty feel.Other than the wear and tear that Ive put on it, Wearable parts(brakes, battery, tune up items, and a cuple extra parts due to my own mishapps I really dont recall haveing to ever fix anything on---yes I did, the crankshaft sensor.

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  Luv my buick - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By desertjaws - July 8 - 11:17 am

  This is probably one of the best cars I have ever owned and my first Buick (1998). Had 57K miles when purchased (2005), currently has 135K miles. Has not been completely problem free but any problems have been minor. I do love this car and will purchase another soon.

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  Grandma Car that isnt for Grandma! - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Laura - July 6 - 5:23 pm

  One of the best GM cars I have ever owned! Suspension and ride are great for long or short trips and it corners like a champ. Road noise is a but much at times, though. Gas mileage is good. Heated leather seats are terrific in the winter. I was able to get out of deep snow up the hill without any difficulty but had to push my friend in her Jeep! I am just getting around to replacing the original struts and have replaced two wheel bearings so far. Other than regular maintenance there is nothing out of the ordinary with repairs. I have loaded it with 2x4s and am getting a hitch and bike rack next week. Hate to see GM axe the 3.8 v6, though. Big mistake, boys!!!! Big mistake.

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  Design - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Alan Pancake - July 6 - 10:00 am

  We enjoy the car it rides very good. I think the car could have been made a little longer to make more room for the back row seats. I am getting overall gas mileage twenty one miles per gallon.We love the looks of the car. I dont care about off rode performance.

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  Very reliable Buick - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By mkclancy - July 2 - 6:13 pm

  This car is the best I have ever owned in my 40 years of driving. My husband, now deceased said it was my car because I liked it so much. It is beautiful and I get many compliments about it. I have kept it it good condition and have followed the Buick program for annual maintence procedures. Such as 60,000 mile check-up procedures. I most like the bench front seat which most vehicles do not have. We found it gives very good milage for this size and make auto, 25-28 miles per gal.with conservative driving practices on highway driving.