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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  I pray this doesnt become more of a nightmare. - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By santee32 - March 5 - 2:28 pm

  I too purchased the 2010 Buick Lacrosse and it has been a problem ever since. I love the way that the car looks but it has major problems. I am always going to the repair shop for something. I have had the Defective battery, leaked acid and destroyed + terminal lead, Catalytic converter replaced at less than 50k miles and the check engine light is always coming on. I have had it checked a number of times but no one seems to know the answer to the problem. Beautiful car but we should have never judge the book by its cover--major problems. How am I supposed to make the car payment and pay for the repairs?

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  Engine Issues - 2013 Buick Encore
  By glendive - February 4 - 10:08 pm

  After driving 13800 miles, in trips of 1400 to1600 miles per trip, since I purchased this SUV I can honestly say it needs more horse power for the road. Going up hills, and going into headwinds puts a definite strain on this little engine. And the more it strains the less MPG it gets. I also am concerned with the air intake design beings this car stalled out on me while driving one crappy winter day in ND. This is not a good situation for a new car to have happen to it and the passengers. Snow/moisture should not get into parts of the engine compartment where it can cause problems.

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  heater - 2013 Buick Encore
  By lynned - January 29 - 2:02 pm

  on short trips at 25 below c. the heat gauge comes up to normal then when you turn the fan wide open the heat gauge goes back to cold and blows cold air on highway driving works ok dealer put new thermostat in still same problem returned to dealer who phoned gm and was told there seems to be a problem with heat has anyone else had this problem

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  Great car - so so navigation - repairs already? - 2011 Buick Regal
  By waxahachiejoe - January 28 - 10:16 am

  Bought my 2011 Regal used with 18K miles on it. The car is great, and way more fun to drive than I thought. My navigation keeps resetting the time to an hour ahead, no matter how many times I set it. The navigation thinks I live in DC. I even paid for the $200 nav update disk and still the same. No traffic updates and no blue tooth streaming. I would not have bought this car had I known how horrible the nav is. The drivers heated seat does not work, and the auto a/c is way off. I have to set it to 80 degrees to get warm and 70 to cool off. Im hoping a visit to the dealership will fix these issues but I shouldnt have to with 18K miles on it.

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  2013 Verano - very nice luxury compact! - 2013 Buick Verano
  By lrinnc - January 24 - 8:59 am

  Ive had many small to medium sedans, but this time I wanted a domestic near-luxury compact instead of expensive foreign makes or the usual mid-sized choices. The Verano fit the bill perfectly. Tasteful two-tone interior, understated exterior styling, and perfect size for an empty-nester or young professional. The base motor is only average in terms of power and MPG, but the overall goodness of the car for the price is undeniable. The well-equipped base model seems to be the best value, if you can do without the Convenience or Leather packages.

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  Nice car for the money - 2013 Buick Encore
  By 45thannivstang - January 17 - 4:11 pm

  You get a super nice car for around $30,000, if you go with the premium package like we did. We got the saddle brown leather interior, which smells and feels wonderful, and is very luxurious. We put a child seat in the back, and in doing that, you have to move the front seat up, which makes for a less than comfy ride...and Im only 57"! The gadgets are well placed, and the ride is very quiet and comfortable. The car looks very elegant inside and out, and has every option you could ever want. Performance on this vehicle sucks, straight up. It is probably one of the weaker vehicles I have ever driven, and takes about 10 seconds to get to 60 mph.

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  Luxurious, Stylish and Reliable after 9 years - 2005 Buick LeSabre
  By jcg6878 - January 4 - 1:19 pm

  We were not loyal Buick owners, but became loyal after two Lesabres. This is our 2nd, a 2005 Limited Celebration Edition fully loaded w/everything including sunroof. Our last Lesabre was a 93 Custom, and was just bullet proof, roomy, and attractive, so after 210,000 miles we traded and bought our 05 brand new. The 2nd time around proved a success. Other than routine maintenance, weve had no problems with this car. Nothing! Were now at 248,000 miles, and thinking were going to go for the 300k mark, then trade for another Buick. Our Lesabre is just so plush and inviting. Backseat legroom isnt as spacious as our 93 for some reason, but the glove soft leather and stylishness make up for it.

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  Premium 1 3.6 - 2014 Buick LaCrosse
  By zorrolives - December 24 - 1:53 pm

  Just leased a Carbon Black on Black, turned in my 2011 Regal Turbo, going from sporty to land cruiser and more comfort, which is what I wanted. So far I love the newly designed interior and the simplified layout. Intellilink is nice and easy to use and the voice command is much improved folks. Side Blind Zone Alert is truly wonderful, still make my headcheck though.

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  Good ole 3800s - 1997 Buick Regal
  By teleport - November 27 - 12:25 pm

  I bought this car in October 2012 with 160K miles on it for 1300 dollars. Its beat up, neglected, and been abused by its previous teenage owners. The engine is 16 years old and has never let me down. I replaced the water pump and two faulty coolant elbows. All four struts were pretty shot, and I replaced the rear ones. I did pads and rotors all around. Total spent for parts is under 500 bucks including oil changes. Im getting close to 170K and havent touched it since I did the original work when I bought it. Ill do plugs/filters in the spring and let that carry me to 200K. The 3800 series II is easy to work on - I have little mechanical experience.

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  Love/hate relationship - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By key_man - November 15 - 10:38 am

  I purchased my first Buick, a Lacrosse, in February of 2010 and love the styling both inside and out of the car. Ride is comfortable and quiet. My only complaint is what seems to be constant repair that has been required. I have already spent $800 on repair issues for a car that is less than 4 years old and covered under an extended warranty. Following has been repaired: - Wheel speed sensor, 20k miles - Backup sensor would not stop beeping (software), 27k miles - Real wheel hub bearing, 36k miles - Front rotors, bad spot in metal, 49k miles - Defective battery, leaked acid and destroyed + terminal lead, 63k miles - Water pump, 71k miles - Catalytic converter, 82k miles