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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  Is This Really A Buick? - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By John 178 - August 31 - 6:02 am

  Drove away in my 2011 Red Jewell Tintcoat CXL 3.6 L V6 on 8/30/10. After comparing/contrasting with the Acura TL and Lexus 350, the LaCross won hands down. The LaCross is sporty, yet refined and priced just right- mid 30s. It is definitely a head turner.

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  CXL should mean Crap Xtra Large. - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Dan - August 30 - 1:00 pm

  I bought the van in Sept. 2008 to replace a Jeep Commander (Which I loved! But didnt have the room for 3 kids and all the stuff associated with them). I have to say, I am truly dissapointed with Buick and GM in general. I have had the van in the dealer 6 times for a reoccurring problem with drivers side power sliding door not closing and sending a constant alarm. Even when van is turned off, still alarms. Dealer DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT! Just keeps resetting an adjustment and Im back again a few months later. The service advisor told me today "There is a reason Buick stopped making this van, you should have read reviews before buying this piece of crap."

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  A great car for the money - 1998 Buick LeSabre
  By Terrific Automobile - August 29 - 3:15 pm

  I purchased this car from a BMW dealer who had taken it as a trade in for a new BMW from a older lady. When I purchased it, it only had 27,000 miles. It now has just under 90,000 miles and has never had a major problem. It gets fantastic mileage. On one road trop to Branson I average nearly 34 miles to the gallon. It uses regular unleaded and yet has great performance. It has sleek styling, great comfort, and the luxuary touches you would expect from a much more expensive make. I would recomend this car to anyone seeking a reliable car, at an affordable price, with good performance and great gas mileage. I would definitely buy another Le Sabre. No wonder they hold their value so well.

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  200,000+ and still going - 2002 Buick Century
  By clrm - August 28 - 12:23 am

  This car has been a really reliable one. Have had it 8 years and now has over 200,000 on it. The care is just now giving me trouble. The intake gasket has broken, a transmission valve had to be replace, the dashboard odometer has to be replaced, as well as the selector switch for the heat/ac. Most everything else has ran well. My drivers side window switch has a short in it, but I wont spend the money for the whole panel, when I know it needs only a new switch.

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  Just an OK car - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By justavet - August 25 - 2:21 pm

  Well I finally got to test drive the Buick Lacross that has gotten Rave reviews by the press and magazine authors.First look around I was surprized to see the paint on the rear bumper and gas door didnt match the rest of the car it was a really bad paint match,then on the test drive there was a bad rattle in the rear right corner panel that didnt go away then there was no place to rest your left foot then there was the problem of the gas pedal and the brake pedal being to close together and my shoe was always hitting the brake pedal instead of the gas pedal.When I did manage to get my size 13 shoe on the gas pedal it would glance off the brake pedal when I let off the gas to apply the brake

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  One Cool Car - 2011 Buick Regal
  By Henry - August 24 - 11:01 pm

  This is a great car and is smooth on the road. Engine has good power and is more than you need. On the hwy it smooth sailing. The brakes are powerful and bring the car down from speed fast.

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  Head Turner - 2011 Buick LaCrosse
  By Terry Bommer - August 24 - 6:09 pm

  I bought the car primarily for the styling and price. GM loyalty and GM card credit made it a bargain compared to Lexus and others of similar size. After 1700 miles the mileage has been aroung 23 in the city, which is better than I expected. While in a restuarant recently I watched group after group stop to look at the car as they passed it. Have had many people ask me about it. I think Buick has a winner.

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  Issues with LaCrosse - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By j young - August 22 - 5:34 pm

  Agree with others, small trunk, visual impairments, however having issues with grinding noise turning steering wheel, a funny stuttering when stopping but not all the time, dealer couldnt find anything wrong but worried because none of this is normal with a new or even older car.

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  Must have bought the right one! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Jon - August 22 - 2:30 pm

  Purchased from a processional 1 owner couple @93k Fully loaded with tow package which was never used until me. I haul my lawn mower and a ton of pellets in Maine hills and windy roads. Only repairs where new brake pads and rotors. and rear self adjusting shocks which cost me $600 installed at a gm dealer. Much nicer then my Jeep grand Cherokee and Chevy Blazer and way nicer then any explorer ever made! gas mileage isnt bad about 18-22 cd player 6 disc didnt work when I purchased it. Time for a new odyssey though hope it sells fast it should the condition is nice and it has all the whistles. i am going to miss the heads up and heated seats!

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  In my opinion - 1996 Buick Riviera
  By Nicole - August 22 - 11:48 am

  I got this car almost 2 years ago and when i first got it i loved it, i got it checked out before buying it and the car mechanic said it would be a good buy. Now two years later i have had to replace many many things and every replacement has been very expensive. the fuel mileage for this car is very poor. (granted my car is super charged). But this car is very sturdy and safe feeling which is very nice. In my opinion if your looking to buy this car dont buy it unless youre looking to do it for a collectors item since it isnt made anymore.