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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  16 years and still chugging along.... - 1993 Buick Regal
  By aczel - June 19 - 12:46 am

  I received this vehicle as a gift in May of 2004 from my Grandpa (he was the original owner). In over 5 years of ownership Ive had to replace certain things, such as: alternator, brakes (pads and calipers), RF window motor, and a few other minor things. Overall, the car has been great. It has 196*** kms, which Im hoping to make it to 200,000 without any issues. This was/is an absolutely great car, and I will hate to see it go, but its getting close to the time to move on. Anyone thinking about buying a Buick...dont hesitate, you wont be disappointed!

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  Excellent - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By rlegros - June 18 - 5:06 pm

  Really enjoying this Enclave. Its fun to drive. A lot of room and its an eye catcher. The only problem we had so far is the remote starter. It only good for about 200 feet.

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  The biggest little SUV ever - 2017 Buick Encore
  By She dealer - June 18 - 11:57 am

  You will get a smooth ride. Seats are very comfortable has lumbar support . A lot of colors to choose from. You wont be disappointed . Great buy....

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  Great Car - 1999 Buick Regal
  By DJB - June 16 - 8:30 pm

  We have had our Regal for 10 years and it just rolled over 200,000. We have driven it on many driving vacations and got as good as 29 mpg on those trips. This is our 2nd Regal. The first one we had for about 8 years and it had about 250,000 miles on it. Very good product! Im just sorry that they dont make the Regal anymore. I see that it is a big seller in China or Japan though so maybe it will make its way back to the US one day. The problems we have had are minimal, nothing to do with the operation of the vehicle.

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  I owns one - 1993 Buick Regal
  By girly t - June 14 - 10:38 pm

  hello i have an 4dr with an sunroof i had mine since 03/2004 itz an very nice dependable car an fast i hav gotten several speedin tickets, i had a lil major work done thru out the years, bt never the engine or transmission gave me any problems yet!!!!!! im still holdin on strong, my car dealer is suprise i still hav it lol, dey wants me to get another kind from them lol,

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  Went from Lexus RX to this! LOVE IT! - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Jeff - June 14 - 9:46 pm

  We came out of the Lexus and wanted something with more room, but NOT a minivan. We test drove so many new cars recently, and saw this car on lot and asked about it. I was cautious because of the name Buick reminded me of my Dads car. Once we got in the car, I was shocked how nice everything was. The test drive was amazing!

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  Go to the Mountains - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By paladin - June 12 - 3:28 pm

  A well designed and comfortable car. My wife began driving it when new and now I have it. (OK, I did buy another!) We like to travel in the Buick and find the ease of driving a real plus. Access to controls, reaction of the car to my comands and fuel economy is great. We average 25 on the road and 19-20 in town. Recommend this car to you. The only problem has been that my wife likes the 2007 evan better!!

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  Great all around - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By caminobear - June 12 - 11:52 am

  My mother gave me this car when my El Camino was stolen. She was scared of it, because shed never kept a car for 15 years and thought it was due for trouble. It looks like a grandma car, but I have grown to love the 29 MPG on the highway and the extremely smooth ride. Its also very easy to service - the backward opening hood allows me to stand up straight and not be hunched over. The paint is starting to flake off (too many automatic car washes) and the headliner has been replaced, but otherwise it is in great shape. Even the cassette player still works well. Hope it lasts another 200,000 miles!

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  I Love This Car - 1994 Buick Regal
  By pvc - June 11 - 10:25 pm

  I bought this little gem last year with 120,000 miles original miles on it. It runs great, it looks great, I get a lot of comments from people about the car, overall Im very pleased with this vehicle. It is often below zero in winter where I live and it fired up every single morning no problem, I didnt even have to "plug it in". Its better than quite a few brand new cars I have owned over the years. Im sorry that I didnt have this car when it was brand new!

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  A Buick is better than a Lexus???? - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By Paulinroswell - June 10 - 9:55 am

  So far, this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I was hesitant to even consider it because I wanted the RX350 but my wife heard that this Buick was worth considering. I hate to admit I am ever wrong but the Enclave is by far the better vehicle than the Lexus in every way after test driving both twice (I was really trying to convince myself that the Buick was worse the first time). It gets good fuel economy, has great luxury features I want, safety features have no equal, and is made by the most dependable brand this year! I never thought I would go back to an American car but if they continue to make vehicles like this, I will never leave! Kudos to Buick! BTW...I am 35 in a Buick!?!