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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  Never Again - 2001 Buick LeSabre
  By librarian - August 22 - 8:17 am

  Bought this well-maintained car used with low mileage. We had good luck with Camrys but wanted to go US. Nice ride, comfortable with lots of power. Thats about the only good thing I can think of to say. We cant use any light switches as theyve all broken - keep them set to run automatically and hope we dont need to change a setting-both buttons broke off. The gas gauge doesnt work. Over last two years, all four window motors have broken, the two in the back are wedged closed to save the $400 (EACH) to repair them. Whey do we need to open those windows? The fan motor broke in the hottest summer ever, saving to get that fixed. Our 1999 Camry has needed gas and oil since we got it in 2005.

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  Lacrosse love - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Pat - August 22 - 8:14 am

  My husband and I drove the 2010 Malibu and the Ford Taurus since these were the other two considerations for our purchase. Neither one held a candle to the Lacrosse. It didnt take long to decide after we took it for a ride. This is a beautiful car with the handling of a sportier car, which I like. Do yourself a favor and test drive one.

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  Overall great car - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Joe A - August 19 - 2:12 pm

  I traded my Mercedes C240 4matic in for this car. I have to admit I was reluctant to buy this car because Buick was always a car driven by older people (my father always owned a Buick). Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I love it. It has a lot more interior space. It also has a more plush feel but not too plush. I have read in the reviews that people have been complaining about the limited arm rest and that it is too far back. By accident, I found that the top of the armrest actually moves forward a few inches. In order to do so you must push it forward and it snaps into place. Overall, I am extremely happy with the purchase.

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  Window mechanism = hidden warranty - 2002 Buick LeSabre
  By Budster McMitchell - August 19 - 12:43 pm

  2 of my window regulators went bad while still under warranty. The last one was not covered, $750.00 with labor. I read where lots of others with 2002 LeSabre had same problems with crap window regulators. This is obviously a hidden warranty, should be recalled, but it wasnt. For sure i will not buy another GM product for rest of my life. It is comfortable for my frame at 64" and 300 lbs and has never left me stranded, but the window regulators is a future deal killer as far as GM goes. Im hoping my 4th window doesnt go as well..Another $750.00 ? The faux wood panels in the dash are horrific too.

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  Would not recommend - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By lockhart1998 - August 11 - 9:35 pm

  I bought this car used with 59k miles. Loved the car at first site. Unfortunately, I have had to replace wheel hubs 4 times, the rear hatch pull down broke, and the AWD (ABS) system is on again. I wanted to support American made cars, however I am very disappointed.

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  Dont buy one! - 2002 Buick Century
  By hedgeman1 - August 11 - 1:37 pm

  Every time I breathe this car breaks down. First manifold gaskets, then wheel speed sensor, then speed sensor harness, then a/c goes out then other wheel speed harness, then I have dash lights coming on like a Christmas tree on the dash! Check engine light, service engine light, abs light, traction control light! Digital odometer quit working, gear indicator no longer visible! Its one thing after another! Never ever will buy another one of these! If spent more in repairs in last 3 years then I spent for car!

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  Very Pretty Car - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By John - August 10 - 1:45 pm

  A very pretty car=but should not have bought it. Have 3000 miles. It has a very nice, quiet ride. Gas mileage is about as advertised. But significant design issues. Driver position is cramped, the center console storage and cup holder area is too far rearward. There is no real area to store coins, toll passes etc. Dangerous lack of space for gas pedal- right up against the console carpet- sometimes catch foot on brake pedal when letting off the gas. Worse yet, and I have no excuse since I knew it, the trunk is horrendously small. Thought the fully foldable back seat would counter-but it is an extreme irritant. Have to pull driver out of golf bag to store. (Continued below since ran out of room

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  Stogie, but American and Great buy - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By comfortable reliable - August 10 - 1:14 pm

  Paid $15,000 in 2000. Replaced transmission at 252,000. Now has 310,000. Yep!310,000 miles on engine that has had one ignition coil and two sets of plugs and plug wires. Just made a 500 mile round trip to NC mountains and MPG was 32.8. I double checked it twice. It is not unusual to top 30 MPG on trips. Bad mouth it all you want and I will smile and wave as I go buy at 70 MPH and 30+ MPG.Most reliable car I have ever Had.

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  Its my first! - 1990 Buick LeSabre
  By Buicklover89 - August 9 - 11:02 pm

  It is a good reliable first car. I have had this car for abut 4 years and the only major issues were the struts, and once they were replace, it ran like a champ!

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  Terreza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Sara - August 9 - 4:20 pm

  I hate this car! I bought it used, but within 6 months I had lights coming on, and was told its a dirty sensor and to put $10 fuel additive in it every time I get gas, which is once a week. Now, Ive had it for 2 years, spent $1000 on fuel additive and more lights are coming on. The remote start stopped working, the gas gauge stopped working and guess what, warrantys expired. $1500 min if I want it fixed. I am looking to trade it in!