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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  Reliability still an issue - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By niaomiya - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Major problems! When 2 yrs old, car died on freeway for no reason at all. Dies if I turn steering wheel too hard while backing up. Sometimes computer will unlock doors when I turn off engine and remove key (like its supposed to), and sometimes it doesnt want to let me out. The right blinker all of a sudden started going at warp speed, then went back to normal a couple wks later, now its back to superfast. Lumbar support dial on drivers seat keeps falling off. Rear hatch interior pulldown handle broke when I had car < a yr. Rear vents broke in < a yr, will blow air but wont hold position. Computer doesnt always remember radio presets, very temperamental! Obviously, quality issues!!

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  Enclave Excited - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Buick Happy - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Took Enclave to first swevice at 7500 miles and had no quality compliants for dealer to fix!! Droave to Florida and Milton Head from Pa., car was perfect.

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  2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Review - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Ding - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I have 1500 miles on it already. I cant stop driving it. I never thought Id be back in a Buick, but I am. Got an admiring look and a head nod yesterday while driving home. Excluding lack of storage, the interior is excellent. Guess I dont need all the stuff Ive been carrying. The exterior is very nice. Very modern. Car does have a loud ping when starting and even when sitting in the driveway now too. Does anyone else have this issue? Sounds under the car right behind the drivers seat. Other than this, I love this car!!

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  My worst car Ever!!!! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Worst vehicle ever - September 14 - 2:00 am

  This by far has been the worst car I have ever purchased. I constantly have overheating issues. Replaced expensive Head gasket.And now my engine needs to be replaced!! Every other month Ive had some type of problem with this car and the repairs are not cheap.dont recommend this car to anyone, I am a mother of four kids, the best feature or this car was the seating capacity. Very unreliable car. I havnt owned this car for a full year and Ive already spent way too much money for repairs.

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  Keep the windows up - 2000 Buick LeSabre
  By 01-20-2013 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Nice motor. good design but the window regulators cast a dark shadow on the overall experience. They are costly to replace but can be had on Ebay for a fraction of the cost. Loaded with comfort options and lets not underscore the exceptional mpg. 35mpg on a 400 mile trip isnt unheard of.

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  1992 Riv - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By nieca73 - September 12 - 2:00 am

  my husband bought the Riv in May 1992. We store it in the winter and drive it from April or May to October or November - depending on the weather. everyone wants to buy this car. we owned a conveniencd store/gas station. i parked it under the price sign. everyone thought it was for sale. told them not to hold their breath. people have told us that we have the nicest car on the highway - "cherry". love it. wont give it up for anything. looks like the day it came out of the showroom. blue saphire in color. cloth seats - which i prefer. very comfy. great steiro sound.

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  p.o.s - 1996 Buick Regal
  By jmac420 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  i got a 96 regal 4 door and i paid 2400 for it and its been nothing but a nightmare first had to put struts on it in the back then a belt then both front wheel berings and now my tranny

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  98 Regal- Great! - 1998 Buick Regal
  By Cole - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Im 18, so you dont see many people my age driving this car. However, I needed something with more legroom than my Camry that I had. Ive owned it for 8 months,and other than the window regulator needing replaced, no problems. Just took it on a 600 mile trip and the car does not have a single rattle or shake anywhere, cruise control and comfort of the seats on that long trip were amazing. This car still drives like a new one, and Buick has made a lifelong customer out of me, dont miss the Toyota at all, this car is just better in all aspects. MPG is not bad for a car of this size, about 28 on the highway.

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  complaint - 2010 Buick Lucerne
  By JIM - September 8 - 12:57 pm

  I get a wind noise (whistle) from drivers window. Dealer said it was design of outside mirror and cant do anything about it. Noise from engine is caused from fuel injectors according to dealer. Drives me nuts!!!! I love the car except for these two items and Im stuck with buying a brand new car with bugs they wont fix.

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  Unsatisfied - 2010 Buick Lucerne
  By Marie - September 5 - 2:56 pm

  I recently got a rental Lucerne and it is not good. The gas mileage is bad. It has too many buttons in the inside to set things how you want them. The radio system is bad. If I had to buy one I would rather walk.