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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  Average Little Car - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By anniston - September 4 - 3:51 pm

  My job takes me all around the South, so I spend much of my time in the car. I alternate between my Lacrosse company car and my personal Tahoe. All in all, this is a pretty good little car. I always had either a Lesabre or Park Avenue company car before the Lacrosse, and no it does not ride as good and it is not as comfortable, but it really is a bang for the buck. It also gets great gas mileage, usually around 31 MPG on the interstate going 70-75 MPH.

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  Its a nice car - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By frevash - August 30 - 9:22 pm

  Mixed highway/suburban mileage driven in flat to somewhat hilly areas. Average mileage per gallon between fill-ups rarely reaches 20mpg. Given Japanese competition thats rather surprising. Our 2001 LeSabre does it better. Was forewarned by Consumer Reports, but bought the car nevertheless, because I liked looks and ride.Time Elapsed feature doesnt work outside temperature gage is off by at least five degrees (too high) clock has lost two minutes in three months of ownership. For my next purchase. Ill try and overcome my "Buy American" hangup, if necessary.

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  Bought in a rush - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By David McLanahan - August 30 - 6:58 pm

  For once a hasty decision on my part turned out good. Upon leaving my sisters home after a two week visit and having my old car all packed to return to Florida, it wouldnt start! Id had problems with it before. Sister screams at me to buy a new car. I remembered my nephew a day earlier telling me about the Buick Lucerne. A car with class and enough room for my 65" frame.I dismissed his opinion. Ive never thoughtabout owning a Buick? Sister dialed a family friend and handed me the phone. Turned out to be a salesman for the Buick dealer I was so stressed i told him to work me a deal and he did. a Lucerne!.The return trip to Florida was fantastic.. I love the car!

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  Not Too Shabby! - 1998 Buick Regal
  By MisterG - August 30 - 3:39 am

  I bought this car used with almost 42,000 miles on it. The only thing that caused problems so far is the alternator. It went south at just over 42,000 miles/6 months of ownership. I have the cloth interior (which I like). Bad cupholder and carpet is coming loose on front driver and passenger sides. Window lower moulding trim (black) is corroding and rusting (dont know why). It has be a CA car all its life. Hope to get another 100,000 miles out of it.

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  1st year - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Buick Lover - August 27 - 4:52 pm

  Wonderful driving experience, only. Quality is questionable when purchasing a first year car. A lot of bugs to work out, e.g. window relay switches bad, sensors, bad, tracks on bucket seats, bad, brakes, very bad, engine bad, transmission recalled, problems with airconditioning unit within first two years of ownership. Car drives very well, just poor quality parts.

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  Kinda wish Id kept my Park Ave Ultra - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Ron S - August 16 - 9:43 am

  This is a very nice car but it is definitely not a Park Ave replacement! So far Ive not had any problems but I miss the roominess and some features of the 2003 Park Ave Ultra. I miss the Ultra Heads Up Display feature the most but it appears to be not available in any type of sedan style auto. I swore that I would not buy a new vehicle without HUD but I broke down since it appears that no HUD is forthcoming in the next several years models. Center console convenience of this car leaves a bit to be desired. Door and window posts are a bit too thick and impair visibilty. Also needs more infinite steering wheel adjustment so when in driving position view of speedometer is not obstructed.

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  Young to Buick - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By LS Feldman - August 14 - 4:34 pm

  After owning Hondas and Toyotas, all are good cars but I must say Buick gives you more for the money. Ride is quiet, MPG is 30 on the HWY and the car looks big and is roomy for four large guys for a golf day. I paided less than Honda and have more car and the OnStar is a great tool. Monthly service reports online via email. Go Buick, the LaCrosse is what it takes to win back the Honda Toyota buyer. I was reformed.

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  08 Enclave CXL AWD - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By george - August 1 - 3:00 pm

  My driving style is moderate. My car is fully loaded, the only options I did not get were the rear entertainment system and upgraded wheels. 4000 miles in the first month. MPG (calculated, not from the trip computer) around town 20, Trips as high as 26.5 but usually 22. This is a nice quiet solid car. The seat is comfortable on long trips. There is little wind and road noise. The all wheel drive is great in both snow and ice. The air conditioning is very good. The car gets many compliments on its styling.

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  Costly Repairs at 64K Easy Miles - 2001 Buick Century
  By goldmission - July 31 - 9:13 am

  Bought this car new. Babied it from day one. Still, at 64K, already had front wheel bearing, alternator, Intake manifold gasket and valve cover, left front tie rod, oil pan gasket all go bad. Total cost $4300. Seems way too much maintenance on this car.

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  Very disappointed - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By CX 4DR SUV - July 30 - 11:29 pm

  My husband and I bought this vehicle in January 07, by July 07, weve already had some serious problems. First was the Security light kept coming on, was told it was a battery problem but to have the diagnostics on the vehicle checked out was costly just to have to change the battery. Next was the window, went down wouldnt go back up cost me$430 to get the regulator replaced. Ive read a lot on the Rendezvous and the windows are a hugh problem and very costly. Also, not nearly enough room in the drivers seat and the seatbelts are not roomy enough and the radio keeps changing stations. We have been very disappointed so far and hope this SUV doesnt end up costing us a fortune.