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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  06 Lucerne - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By chas4bass - July 2 - 3:02 pm

  Nice vehicle. Looks fantastic - drives OK. Too low for freeway driving. Still feels like your "Grandpas car"! Sold as extremely quiet but has developed too many rattles for 18 months. Time to sell it.

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  97 park ave - 1997 Buick Park Avenue
  By jaamo - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle with excellent potential. comfortable and quiet. Decent acceleration, good handling(with touring suspension) an honest 30 MPG highway and room for six -- in compfort Minuses: mechanicals not as robust as they should be. Replaced brake rotors twice from warpage, replaced a waterpump at 32000 miles (disgraceful), the power window switch has been replaced once and has failed again, the moisture sensing wipers have never worked properly -- but who needs them. Now, the oil pan gasket is leaking and its a $375 repair, and I know three others with same engine and same oil pan problem. Id buy another, though, as nothing else in the domstic market compares.

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  Excellent SUV - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By alley - June 24 - 10:50 pm

  This is a great SUV. Very comfortable to drive and ride in. Love the third row option. Could be a bit more snazzy and cool. Have made some good improvements since I purchased though. Friends still refer to it as a minivan despite SUV title.

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  2004 Buick Rendezvous - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By mellowsong - June 15 - 12:40 pm

  I absolutely love this vehicle. It has been virtually trouble free since purchase, is extremely comfortable for me (I have a severe back injury) and has plenty of get up and go. My only complaint is gas mileage, but I knew that when I bought it. I actually get better than stated. I would recommend this to anyone.

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  Great, but... - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By pso1295 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV, but weve had problems with its computer system, which has been frustrating.

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  Critique - 2007 Buick Lucerne
  By jerry - June 9 - 3:15 pm

  Had vehicle one week and it broke down, bad wiring at factory. Had it towed and problem resolved. Not happy with gas mileage. Traded a 2000 Cadillac which had same type engine. Northstar V8. Hopefully, the Buick will measure up in time, since gas prices are up.

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  Looks good, but not a Park Avenue - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Ed Sheehy - June 6 - 8:32 pm

  I bought this car to replace my wifes 99 Park Avenue (the best car that we ever owned). It looks wonderful (red w/ tan leather). The 3.8 is a solid performer. However, there is a fair amount of torque steer on acceleration. Over the highway, it does not seem to have the stability that the Park Avenue had. The biggest issue is the flimsiness of the interior door panels-they creak any time that you pull on them. Also the seat belt guides have become worn where the seat belts have sliced into them. It is hardly noticeable but it should not happen! To make matters worse, the parts needed to correct this are on "nationwide back order". I guess it is more common than the dealer wants to tell me!

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  Dissappointed - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By JohnB - June 2 - 6:09 pm

  This car has many nice features, but I am very dissappointed it dosent have memory seats, rain sensing wipers, heat/ac temp. control on steering wheel, and no rear seat heat/ac ducts on a $33000. vehicle. I also miss the heads up display on my previous Buick. This car will have a short time in my garage for these reasons only.

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  Mediocrity - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Deano - May 24 - 11:02 pm

  We had the Terraza in the shop for the electric doors the second day we owned it. The build quality is less than satisfactory. However, the seats are very comfortable and the ride is smooth. The leather quality is superior on the seats. Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, Id give the Terraza a 6.

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  Second time owner - 2007 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sandyflush - May 24 - 10:24 pm

  I like it. It is a shame that Buick would take a SUV within middle class range up. Hey GM Buick, help us middle class out. We love the SUV. The Enclave is out of my league