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 - 1999 Buick Century
  By Raymond - July 25 - 6:02 pm

  I thought this was going to be a great car when i first got it, i was wrong. So many thing broke down on this car. All the windows stopped working, AC stopped blowing cold, Alternator gave out, intake manifold gaskets wore out, radiator went bad, brake lines rusted out, water pump went bad, wheel alignment is off wearing out tires very quickly. This car has been a real inconvenience and it only has 113k on it. I know many other people who have the same type of problems with their buicks. This car has been very unreliable, i dont trust it at all, and i sure as hell wouldnt recommend one. Seriously im never buying a GM product ever again.

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  Very impressed after almost a month - 2011 Buick Regal
  By Cate - July 24 - 1:10 pm

  I have had my new Regal for three weeks now and love it! The car handles great and is fun to drive. The gas mileage is good -- 27 mpg with combined city and highway driving including vacation highway miles. Also, the car is a nice combination of sport and classic styling. It has been turning a few heads. The interior styling includes leather seats and an upgraded stereo system. It seems like a smaller version of the LaCrosse inside (no skimping on style). I looked at Audi, VW, and Mazda and chose a Buick. Very happy with this purchase.

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  Mixed bag but looks great - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By lacrosse owner - July 23 - 2:15 pm

  Back to US cars after issue with Toyota. Shopped around, this was a great value for features. Replaces Avalon. Visibility rear and side view is poor, which almost makes me wish I hadnt purchased car. It does have a little kick when it shifts automatic, but nothing horrible. Beautiful finishes and details. Middle Console not large and not user friendly. Too short, and if you extend, you cant use both cup holders. Its like no one at GM test drove for conveniences. Reliability to be determined. Only 2000 miles. Gas use (mostly city and heavy highway only 19.9 mpg). Its a very comfortable car, including large rear seat. You need rear park assist or camera for sure. GM almost has it right!

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  Lack of good service - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By ejk - July 23 - 10:17 am

  Like the ride of the car, that is when it is running. Have brought the car in seven times over the first six months. Service has no idea how to fix the electrical problems with the car and GM has provided no help. Examples turn the car off and remove the key yet the car keeps on running. Check engine light goes on and the best service can say is make sure you replace the cap when refueling tank. Parking brake light and sound keeps going off even though I never even use the parking break.

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  Front seats and rear deck poor for $47K] - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Dan - July 23 - 5:49 am

  2010 Enclave--The front seats are not comfortable. They are hard and lack enough plushness and fullness. On along trip they get hard on your bottom. We have to carry a small pillow for some comfort.The passenger side will let the passenger slide forward out of the seat. It also lacks the eight way tilts as the driver side and creates leg cramps after a while.The head rests will not adjust and hits the back of a passengers head whos a shorter person. The rear deck lid fails to close many times when using the clicker or the manual electric button. It will go down part of ths way then jump back up. You have to finally push it shut by hand hoping it will latch. The next day it may work correctly.

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  Best ever owned - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Peter - July 22 - 5:21 pm

  I have owned many cars from many makes but my 2008 Lucerne is the best car that I have ever owned. It rides better than any car in its price range. The handling is great for such a large car. No it does not handle like a German car but does not ride like crap over potholes either. No problems at all. The 3800 engine and automatic are among the high quality from any make. I hope to drive this car for the next 20 years.

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  Problems - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Ken - July 21 - 12:30 pm

  My grandmother bought this car used for me. She purchased the v8. Of course mpg is terrible. Great power and acceleration. Not enough storage room inside car though. Have had many problems and it has been in the shop for about 2 weeks with some sort of engine problem. ugh!

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  Got my moneys worth - 2003 Buick Century
  By jg - July 19 - 6:44 pm

  Very good buy, I had my Buick since 2006 still going maintenance free. Got it with 45,000 miles now it has 129,000 everyday commuter 140 miles a day without 1 Penny putting into it love this car.

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  Perfect All-Around Reliable Car - 2004 Buick Regal
  By Shadowtrax - July 18 - 2:50 am

  Purchased this car initially as a third car for when the parents visited - but ended up driving it to work and around town and longer trips because it is so comfortable and gets great gas mileage with the 3800 V6. Yes, Im in my late 30s and we just wanted a old folks car for when our elderly parents flew in to visit a few times a year, but my wife and I discovered that the Regal was comfortable to drive, and got great mileage for a work/highway car. We currently own a BMW 3-series and an Infiniti G35x, and yes, we both agree this has a different, yet comfortable ride, and a feeling of roominess in the cabin unlike our sporty cars - never had a single issue with it - we enjoy it!

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  The Ultimate Minivan - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Brian - July 16 - 1:22 pm

  My wife swore she would never drive a minivan, unless it was a Buick. We have no regrets. Buick has done a terrific job building this classy, well built versatile vehicle.