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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  3-1/2 years and still enjoying the ride! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By JJ - July 28 - 10:46 pm

  Reliable, decent fuel economy, 3rd row seat helps when hauling kids, AWD for the winter and a comfortable ride. This has been a great addition to the family.

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  Best All-Round - 2000 Buick Park Avenue
  By DRM - July 27 - 2:30 pm

  I bought my Park with 89k miles and am approaching 100k with no issues. Drives and sounds like a new vehicle. My car was a one-owner with all service records. You wont find a vehicle with the same high mix of size, fuel economy, PRICE, dependability and comfort. Its the best all-round. I would highly recommend it as a used vehicle purchase. The only negative point that I see is the interior design - does not live up to a $30k+ vehicle. Exterior is very timeless and classy. Ride and fuel economy is excellent! I chose it over Cadillac (price and dependability), Lincoln (price and fuel econ)and Chrysler (dependability).

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  small breaks big bucks - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By cat - July 25 - 11:35 am

  Just after the extended warranty was up the power window quit working. A small plastic piece broke costing $190. Now the other front window has made a loud pop and I am afraid to use it for fear it will not roll up soon. The ac condensor has a pinhole rubbed in it by the frame the quote is $800. If summer would have come a month sooner the vehicle would have still been under warranty. The mechanic that quoted the ac problem said that this is a common problem that he sees a lot.

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  Buick Lucerne rating - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By vmcdowell2 - July 15 - 6:56 pm

  Very comfortable and quiet ride. Very good gas mileage, 30 to 32 mpg hwy, 24 to 26 mpg city. Good assembly. A minor rattle in the drivers door. Good paint job.

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  132K miles Strong - 2012 Buick Verano
  By Eric Richmond - July 12 - 1:51 pm

  Bought this car brand new fours years ago and have since put 132K maintenance free miles on it. Getting ready to put my second set of tires on it. Yes, 65k miles out of performance tires...twice! Other than an O2 sensor crapping out at 19k miles (covered under warranty), Ive had no issues with the car. Regular oil changes between 6 and 7k miles, tires rotated every oil change and had all 100k mile service work performed. Did have minor oil comsumption concerns from 30k to about 90k miles, but that concern is gone. The vehicle is still very tight and mpg have stayed consistant. I am still amazed at the low cost of ownership and reliability.

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  Rendevous with this one /Nice SUV - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tom Russell - July 10 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is underated, except HP, I have had this vehicle since July 2002, it has 15,700 miles and I really love it It handles well, has a loads of storage space. Fit and finish is very good, however it is produced in Mexico (so much for foreign trade) The seats are very comfortable, and up front visiability is excellent. If you purchase one make sure you check the options on the sticker, and that they are actually on the vehicle. Mine was missing footrests, and cabin air filters, which are located in the glove box. Take your time and look it over very carefdully you might want to Rendevous with this one !!

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  I like my car - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By tracy - July 9 - 6:07 pm

  This car is great with two kids. No problem or issues of space and maneuvering around within the car. Im not a fan of the 2 blind spots off the front 2 corners of the vehicle but I have adjusted. The only other problem is that it feels like the transmission skips once in awhile. I believe that is what the recall is for. I just havent got it in. Ive owned the car 5 years I bought it used it was a rental vehicle. I never use the triptonic feature, I think its a silly feature and its just something else to break.

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  Almost perfect - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jim in Vegas - July 6 - 5:34 pm

  We traded our trusty 2002 Impala on the Buick to get more room and pull our small boat trailer. So far so good. Stereo system is awful. Will have to replace it. Will not even stay on local stations. It did stall one time in traffic with no explanation. Were praying this does not happen again. But, for the money (we purchased an off-lease car) it still seems a bargain. Mileage averaging 20mpg overall, not bad for a vehicle of this size and weight.

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  Dont Get 18" Wheel / Tire Package - Many Blowouts - 2013 Buick Verano
  By WatsonBryant - July 4 - 11:49 pm

  Power from 4cyl engine is semi-good...interior is nice and Buick has upgraded the car significantly from the Chevy Cruze - design, details, interior. CAUTION! DO NOT GET THE 18" WHEELS / CONTINENTAL P235/45R18 PACKAGE!! EASY TIRE BLOWOUTS and tires are ruined (sidewall damage) and not repairable...have to replace at $190 per tire / per time...an average pot hole or minor bump can unbelievably ruin a tire...this combo of low aspect wheel and tire on a Verano may LOOK good, but totally unusable on real world roads. Ive blown 2 front tires in 6.300 miles - I know another Verano owner with same wheels / tires that has blown 3 of these tires in 31,000 miles...and Continental is no help! Shame on Buick engineers for allowing this tire / wheel package out on the road! If you are getting a Verano - go for standard 17" wheels and higher aspect tires - should work better.

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  Enclave vs, Tahoe - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Paula - July 3 - 7:10 am

  We just purchased our vehicle on the 19th of February, 2008. We love the way it looks, and the way the interior makes you feel comfortable. We traded in our 2005 Tahoe for the Enclave, and love how it is easier to load the little ones, the only difference is when you are wanting to get up to speed it seems to hessitate, I guess I was just used to the V8, but enjoy not spending $80 in gas every week.