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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  Nice Vehicle For Price - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By TOM D - November 9 - 1:29 pm

  Nice vehicle for price. Smooth, quiet. Adequate power for everday driving, plus uses only regular fuel.

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  Crystal Red Tintcoat - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Ron B - October 29 - 7:49 am

  As a Buick owner for years now and wanting something "different" I went to Nissan,Toyota and Honda . They were nice but I didnt like the idea of them saying "the cars sell good so we dont have to drop our prices " and another one said "Hay , try it if you want ,or dont , I dont care " made me realize I would try out a Buick again . I just drove it on small local trip, maybe 200 mile round trip and sure enjoy the comfort . The driving of this Cx model is a joy and I feel very safe with the options included. The V6 has enough power ,the gas mileage is great(27 mpg) and yes I have standard options on this that I wouldve had to pay thousands for on the "other" cars. this is an aswome car.

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  Used Rainier Purchase - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By Seaclusion - October 28 - 7:10 pm

  Recently purchased used Rainier with V8 34000 trading in a GMC Envoy 6 cyl.First impressions are very favorable.No complaints and has a better ride than the GMC. Also V8 is a major plus for this vehicle. I have noted that AWD seems to engage in reverse as noted by one of your participants which will require watching.

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  Overall, Im satisfied with purchase - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By emj - October 19 - 10:30 am

  The Rendezvous drives very nicely, and I find it very easy to manuver into parking spaces. The amount of cargo room is great. Also, the second row of seats fold forward to allow for extra cargo room if its needed. I average about 18 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, so I guess the fuel economy is about average for this size SUV. The back end of the vehicle did start making a "groaning" noise a few months ago, which I was told by my mechanic was a problem with the rear differential fluid (I dont know if others have had this problem), so the fluid was refilled and the problem has not recurred so far. I dont have any kids, but theres lots of room on board for all four of my dogs!

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  Only 1600 miles and got problems - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Louise Sabourin - October 16 - 6:51 pm

  My low oil level light came on and when I checked the oil it was only about a 1/4" showing on the stick. Called the dealer and took it in and they said the 2008 seals were changed and that I needed to have them taken out and replaced because of the oil level dropping. So hopefully changing these seals will solve my problems and I can depend on it for years to come.

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  Five years.... 208K and counting - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By turbochris - October 15 - 3:40 am

  I bought this car over five years ago for 1000 dollars because it had 152000 miles on it. Now it has 208000 and still going strong. I put rear shocks on it because my wife thinks its a truck. Its been on countless long trips, with no problems other than a blown tire after I ran over a bungie cord (hardly the cars fault) Rides smooth and I average 21 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on long trips. Been paid for and awesome. Yeah, its an old mans car, but no monthly payments and pure realiabilty make up for that!

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  Poor Visability on Left Turn - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By W. Lifson - October 5 - 7:59 am

  When making a left turn, the side view mirror and the wide A pillar block your view of the road. Car was delivered with a faulty Body Control Module (computer) resulting in intermittent error messages. My 2001 Park gave a smoother ride. Fit and finish were very good. Complex electronic driver controls are difficult to master,esspecially for seniors.

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  always a buick - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Mary l zimmerman - October 1 - 11:05 pm

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  A Park Avenue it is not - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By terry - September 28 - 7:03 am

  I cannot get rid of the vibration, and the seats are uncomfortable. The cooled seats only cool a small portion. The rear of the car looks like a$10,000 car, not a $35000 car

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  Heavy Rear Door - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By JERRY - September 26 - 10:18 pm

  Turning radius fantastic. Removable center seats, great. Rear door opening OK. Rear door closing, you got to be kidding. It is very heavy with no power or air shock assist. Only bad feature to the vehicle