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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  Its falling apart - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By big dawg - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I had hoped to keep this car for a long time but its slowly falling apart. Part of it is the salt in our region. The rotors rust and wear out the brakes/rotors prematurely. The bearing hubs have been replaced. Control arm bushings dont last and the AWD actuator had to be replaced.The racheting device on the seatbelts caused the belts to tear and need to be replaced. Its constantly being repaired and I no longer trust it except for trips around town. The quality of the suspension/drive train parts is not good. It does have a nice ride and nice stereo and room to take my 90 lb German Shepherd but I think I may look at a Nissan, Toyota or Honda to replace it. American cars= no good.

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  VERY NICE CAR - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By adt - September 29 - 2:00 am

  We have had many cars in our 40 yrs of marriage this might be the best purchased a 2011 infinity qx56 had it 2k mi and could not wait to get rid of it this is very very nice quiet luxury drives great

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  WOW!! - 1990 Buick Century
  By buickman9290 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I origanly had a 92 Buick Century 4 dr. I cracked the raidatior didnt know over heated it. Then everyone thought i blew it up but i ended up driving it for 8 1/2 months after wit a rod knocking it had 149670 on it when i let her go it was the best dependable car i had till that time. Then i bought a 1990 Buick century 4 dr custom it had the 3300. Got it back in feb. she had 139000 on her when i got it. She now has 147258 on her and ill be darn if i cant kill her. The power is great, handles like a dream, its all i have owend sience i was 16. the body is a lil rough on it but she is in great running condition. every thing on the motor is in great shape all working great the only thing i have

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  Dont buy a Rendezvous - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Carol - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought this from a dealer and it was 1 year old. - Did not have it 2 years and put $2,300.00 in it. We have replaced rear bearings, the power steering pump twice, and now the rear differential has went out. The seats do not fold completely down, so there goes the cargo space, and just look at those cloth seats and they stain! I had an Explorer before and I loved it, but my husband isnt a Ford Fan - well he can have GM, this will be my last Buick. I absolutely hate it!!

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  Loved mostly - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Denise - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Before the grandchildren, this was a perfect vehicle for me, my adult children, and labs. However, now there are two infants that need to have car seats rear-facing leaving no leg room for any other seat as it requires the seat in front of it to be shoved all the way forward. In all other regards, this has been a joy of a vehicle.

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  Unreliable - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Bruce Smith - September 26 - 2:00 am

  My Lacrosse has been in the Gm shop once a week for the past 6 weeks and towed in once a week for the past 3 weeks. It overheats and dies every othe day. Buick is a joke and the inconvenience they have caused me with no compassion from them is not worth buying another Buick or any GM automobile.

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  Almost Perfect - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jason - September 26 - 2:00 am

  My first time on the road with this car had me sold. I researched for over 2 months before making my purchase and I am very glad that I did. The interior is amazingly designed. While some of the reviews for 10-11 lacrosse are stating that the dash is too cluttered with buttons, I find no problem at all finding what I need (Most of the time its on the steering wheel if you should be playing with it in motion). Exterior design is great as well. Beautiful lines. The trunk line is a little high making visibility a minor issue but thanks to reverse sensing system I think its a wash. A Pillars are a little thick but its not out of hand. Very quiet ride, smooth, yet responsive in its handling.

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  my favorite car to date - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By carrjm13 - September 25 - 2:00 am

  upon my purchase, Ive very pleased with the car. Im the third owner and currently the car has 147,826 miles with no reports of dissatisfaction. I accumulate about 66 miles on average in daily usage and get a very respectable 28.0 mpg city/hwy. No rattles/squeaks to report and amazingly, all original equipment work without flaws. Even the leather upholstery has remained soft and no cracks/tears. I have a few minor grips the lighting in the engine bay and trunk is very dim, and after so many years, the moulding of the rt. side of dashboard and lt. side has separated due to hot interior, attributed to no ventilation. Ive leave windows cracked open and the separation has ceased.

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  Buick LaSabre LTD - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By Chuck - September 25 - 2:00 am

  My 2004 Buick LaSabre LTD is a nice car overall. It has a very nice ride and very good gas mileage (29-31 MPG Highway). My biggest complaint are the split-bench leather seats. After 2 to 2.5 hours in the seat your rear end gets mighty sore. You wouldnt think so when you first sit down on the seat as it is well padded. I had trouble with the dual climate control system. The drivers side quit working and was cycling hot air-cold air-hot air, etc. The car drives nice going straight but very poor at any kind of spirited handling. I find the car rather boring to drive but my wife likes it as it is really her car to drive. The LaSabre is a well equipped car with power everything.

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  nice car - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By achomes - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I havent purchased an American car for years, Still own 09 Lexus GS 350 and a Range Rover Sport. Traded a 2009 Acura MDX for the Enclave. The Enclave is larger and has an American drive and feel, not as responsive as the others I own. I do like it and I do recommend it. It really is time to buy American and the effort seems to be there for the quality. Had one small issue but GM and the dealer went out of their way to fix it and they did!