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:

• 

  Im happy - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Mark Lamb - May 24 - 3:14 am

  For a minivan, its super quiet. Sometimes the only sound is kids laughing in back, enjoying a DVD with the wireless headphones. Performance is adequate, downshifts nicely. Handling is very good for a vehicle of this type. Drives more like a sedan than a van.

• 

  Great car once it meets potential - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By Joe A. - May 24 - 2:24 am

  Went to learn about cascada and test drive at Buick near me. Showroom car looked beautiful in and out. I wanted to see the trunk but it couldnnt be opened by anyone in the dealership. Trunk has no keyhole (does not use a key to open) or open lever or switch inside the car, the only way to open is to press a plate on trunk hood. Problem, is that the battery was dead and that wouldnt work! Disappointed the driver seat has no memory! More consideration for back seat passenger as seat stops if knees are hit. Problem is that I dont ever have passengers in the back seat. Fake alarm system above front windshield. Was told 2017 will bring an alarm sensor for when the top is down. Liked that however Started think I should wait for next model. Hands free microphone worked ok with top down. Radio speaker quality is very poor. Top went up and down amazingly. Not having to use latches to lock the top is a great feature. Premium accessories include a windbreaker that has to be manually attached each time to avoid draft on driver/ front passenger bak and same for back seat. Didnt like the sound of that. I didnt test it though. Really enjoyed the ride. Acceleration is "underwhelming" in that the downshift is slow even though it did pick up speed better than expected. Overall, I really want this car! This could very well be my next car and first convertible. But I will wait for next years model with improvements I hope will make me want to drive right out of the show room as soon as possible.

• 

  90 Reatta Coupe - 1990 Buick Reatta
  By Jack Prochaska - May 23 - 6:28 am

  Well built, dependable cruiser. Great driver, not a speedster. Antiquated ABS system is only flaw.

• 

  Wow! - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By glanceup - May 11 - 4:58 pm

  I needed a luxurious and large car to haul real estate clients around in. This more than fit the bill. Extremely smooth, comfortable ride and incredible gas mileage for such a large car (28 hwy, 18 city).

• 

  Buick LaCrosse - 2005 - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Shirley Quinn/David - May 5 - 1:38 pm

  Driving this car is good to excellent. Mileage is very poor! It had a recall of the brake, I did not like that. I do not like the locks poping up automatically when the car stops to park. I think that is dangerous. Driver should control that. The exterior receives many compliments.

• 

  2000 Buick Century Special Edition - 2000 Buick Century
  By jr1m90 - May 3 - 7:42 pm

  I was given the Century by my Grandmother a few months after getting my drivers license, but it is obviously was not my first choice (even compared to a 2000 Taurus). However, I have been relatively pleased with the car. It is a superb cruising car, and is comfortable in the city. The 3100 V6 is powerful enough, but the transmission seems to sap power from the engine when accelerating from a standstill. It responds to spirited cornering with tons of body roll and pathetic squeals from the 15 inch tires. However, it has been a reliable car that doesnt attract any unwanted attention. Would I buy one? Probably not, but I can never fault my Grandfather for buying two of them.

• 

  Surprising Car For the Money - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Al Frank - May 2 - 11:36 am

  I had every intention of purchasing the 07 CXL with leather, heated seats and all the goodies but the price tag seemed a bit steep. I looked at a 2007 CX with 12,111 miles on it, no leather, no heated seats but bought it anyway. I am so glad I did because it is really a quiet, well mannered car (and I saved $10K). It is an absolute pleasure to drive and the fit and finish inside and out are excellent. I am very happy with this car and believe it stacks up well compared to the equivalent Toyota and Honda.

• 

  1995 Buick Century user history - 1995 Buick Century
  By Midland, Michigan - April 26 - 9:43 pm

  Generally good experience. Car has 180,000 miles. We are the second owner. Comfortble ride, good acceleration, 30 MPG highway, power windows/seats still work. Inconveniences: service engine light on a lot, rotors warp, rust on trunk, passenger door sagged (closes hard), engine would "miss" or "bog down" under acceleration but replacing the ignition wires solved that. Developing rust around the windshield. We added after-market cruise control and a CD player improving an already comfortable riding experience. It is showing its age. But no car payment makes it tolerable when repairs do occur.

• 

  Buy That Warranty! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By drewsmyboy - April 5 - 6:01 pm

  This seemed to be a great vehicle and I thought it was pretty well built. We had the standard air conditioner cracks (warranty) and the drivers lumbar knob has broken off three times, but it wasnt until after the warranty ran out that we got to experience the head and intake gaskets (as everyone else seems to have also experienced). The extended warranty (thank God I bought it) sent an inspector to the dealership to ensure there was no fraud with all the problems I was charging to them. The dealership even started paying my extended warranty deductible! I will never buy a GM automobile again. This is a good vehicle for about 2 years and then you are in trouble.

• 

  A Complete Road Car - 2004 Buick Park Avenue
  By meyk - April 3 - 2:00 am

  just a nice automobile. Good road car,plenty of zip, very little road noise, except for some tire noise which can be bothersome.