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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  Great car with extraordinary comfort - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Ken - March 28 - 5:31 pm

  I love this car. It is just a few weeks old, but has everything I wanted in a new car. The ride is unmatched. I tested a Ford Fusion because they said it drove as nice as a Buick. They were wrong. The Lucerne glides across rough road. It has plenty of pickup. The controls are well positioned for easy access. Plenty of leg room for stretching out. The 2008 version does not have bluetooth phone, and that I miss. I understand that 2009 does have that. The fan has plenty of power to cool or heat. I do wish that it had more power connections for things like iPods. The dash is a little hard to see in the daylight. Auto headlights is great. On Star is just amazing. Just a great car.

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  Wonderful Car - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By atm - March 27 - 7:08 pm

  I received this as a Christmas present from my husband in 2007. It is my favorite car ever. My college age children did not like my mini-van and urged me to get a SUV. But, this is so much better than an ordinary SUV. Its a luxury car with SUV features. I have driven from Pennsylvania to Texas twice and love the GPS system and XM radio and the room. I just read where Buick has the best rating for service and I believe it. I would recommend this car to anyone. My children, who are 24 and 21 both have borrowed my car for road trips. Its not just an "old" persons car. They love it, too.

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  Great Experience - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By NCC - March 26 - 4:33 pm

  Bought the car new and have put 105K on it. 1 set of tires,1 set of brakes, 1 battery. Thats it. It has never stranded me, never failed to start. Every accessory (its Loaded) still works. Lowest cost of ownership Ive ever had. I like it better than my wifes Lexus RX 330. 17-18 mpg city 26 hgwy.

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  Great car - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Carey Grant - March 26 - 2:36 pm

  Buick is back and with a vengance. This is a superior car. It blows away the domestic and foreign competition. If you are looking at Lexus take a look at Lucerne. The Lucerne is the better value, but more important the better car. Great ride and handliing. Average fuel mileage is running about 23 miles per gallon. Check it out you will like it.

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  Still Happy After 2.5 Years - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By BigTexKahuna - March 25 - 9:27 pm

  I offered a review 2.5 years ago, and I thought Id give an update. Had to rebuild tranny nearly 1 year after purchase- $1800. That was a surprise, but nothing major since. Only expected, non-surprising things: replace radiator- $300, fix pssngr-side pwr window- $120, replace noisy supercharger- $750. I added custom-made cold-air induction, modified exhaust... car really screams now! Added 18" chrome wheels, manual air shocks, custom dark-blue paint with red pin-stripes, and a kick-butt sound system. I receive a lot of admiration, and I am always asked, "What kind of car is that?" I did lose the steering wheel control features due to factory sound system shorting out. I miss that luxury!

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  Would buy another one - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Cobble - March 25 - 8:57 pm

  There have been two annoyances: 1. Readablility of instruments in bright sun is very poor. 2. When very hot i.e.sitting on hot macadam for hours and/or driven hard, the steering has a tiny "thunk" feel on occasion when making a turn. Its been traced to a universal joint in the steering linkage. Dealer got 95 percent of it out, but a slight amount remains. I suspect it might be a design flaw. Had Lexus LS-400 before. Buick is as good and in many ways better. Recently drove 09 Lexus ES-350. Prefer Buick. Smooth, silky traveler head-snapping acceleration quieter than new Lexus 19.7 mpg around town very little roll on twisties (not a sporty car, though) 4-spd is slick.

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  1998 Regal GS (l67) powered - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Kam - March 24 - 7:10 pm

  I got my buick regal gs in february 09 with 27k miles on it, and so far i am very happy with it, no issues what so ever performance is great out of supercharged motor, interior is comfortable, buick`s theater seats makes you feel like you seat higher, radio controls are easy to access, ride is nice and quiet, automatic climate control may seem confusing to operate, no ac button,just gotta get used to it

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  A Sweet Ride - 1995 Buick Riviera
  By ClassicCar - March 24 - 12:22 am

  I purchased this car from a Buick dealership. It had 14,000 miles and was everything I had been looking for in a car. Over the years it has gone to college for four years, Prom, Weddings, corn fields, mud, snow, good and bad streets, carried teens, grandkids and dogs. Through it all, it has handled every situation with grace. The only "major repair" was the harmonic balancer. Outside of that, just regular oil changes, new tires, and air conditioner. My entire family loves the Riviera. We would buy it again and wish that Buick would continue the car, adding a four door version and make it a crossover. Oh, yes, it now has 140,000 miles and drives as if it was brand new.

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  Great car - 2000 Buick Century
  By Rich - March 21 - 2:44 pm

  i have had this car for over 6 years got it with 1100 miles on it it now has 153,000 only thing i have changed was the abs battery 2 times which was under warrenty and about 10,000 miles ago my odometer goes out and i have to tap the dash to make come back on this car was build in canada which is diferent from usa so for having 150,000 miles and still running strong is a plus well worth the 8000 that i paid for it!!!

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  EXCELENT RIDE - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By Ricardo Jimenez - March 20 - 9:12 am

  So far Im happy with the car, the only one issue is with the heater/AC, I change the thermostate, change the temperature switch and in winter it take much time to heat,and in the summer I get cool air out of one vent and warm air from other, but beside that, everything is fine