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:

• 

  Smart Buy - 2005 Buick Century
  By mackelvaney - August 1 - 6:16 pm

  This is the best car for the money Ive ever purchased. Its the best "regular car" I could find, and I am quite pleased with the performace, mileage, and comfort. I drive 100 mi. a day round trip for work and I love driving "Miss Daisy". (Yes I name my vehicles)

• 

  Performance - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Matthew - July 30 - 11:47 am

  I love this vehicle, I just wish it would stop having problems. I have had the BCM changed out 3 times now and the vehicle has only 60,000 miles on it. Each time it has been something different that has gone bad (Door locking problems, A/C not working, car will not start) and now they are working on getting the 4th BCM installed.

• 

  Lucerne rating - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By John Gavin - July 26 - 10:00 pm

  I have had this for only a few weeks but the more I drive it the better I like it. However, there are two negative points that I have found, one is gas mileage is not as good as my 2001 LeSabre and the other is that visibility to the rear is not good in my opinion.

• 

  Still Mixed Feelings - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Scott - July 25 - 4:07 am

  I have owned my LaCrosse CXS for a year now and like it but have a few issues. My wife really likes it and drives it daily. Fuel mileage is less then expected. With mostly town driving we get 19mpg. Power is great. Transmission is not a smooth as others in this class. Truck is difficult to open. Two issues - drivers side window rattles at high speed and CD player rattles when hit bumpy roads. I like the car but Buick needs to work out some details in design and quality.

• 

  Needs tighter turning radius - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Noel - July 24 - 5:21 pm

  Have had car for 3 months. Just got out of shop to repair major coolant leak. Dealer very nice, loaned us another Lucerne. Car is extremely quiet, peppy and smooth and overall comfort is good. On down side, is very hard to park due to excessive turning radius, poor visibility due to wide pillars at windshield. Gas mileage not as good as on my old 97 Lesabre with 3.8 Engine. Doesnt seem as stable at high speed as old LeSabre was.

• 

  RB5 - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By LRB - July 24 - 4:19 pm

  I enjoy not climbing down into or up out of the vehicle. We have bee surprised by the leg room in back, easy of entry and the carrying capacity, esp the size and shape of the opening.

• 

  Pros and Cons to the Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Stephen Shorter - July 15 - 10:14 pm

  The Terraza rides great, has very comfortable seats, and drives very well. However, the drivers side sliding door rattles even after three attempts to the dealer to fix it. I have found the carpeting to be subpar for a Buick. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible to clean. I recommend Scotchgarding the carpet on day one. We owned two Chrysler Town and Country vans prior to the Buick. I must say the Chryslers were superior to the Buick, although the Buick rides better and has more comfortable seats. In summary - some aspects of the Terraza we really like and some we dont.

• 

  Reliable. - 1995 Buick Regal
  By Tom - July 15 - 1:03 am

  Just like my 1991, I inherited a 1995 Custom from my grandparents. Pretty must as reliable as my 91 with the exception of the A/C needing to be replaced once. Other than that no problems whatsoever since new. The car unfortunately met an premature death at 142K miles. Its all about the 3800, best engine ever produced.

• 

  The legacy car. - 1991 Buick Regal
  By Tom - July 15 - 12:57 am

  My grandparents bought this vehicle new in 1991. It was handed down to me a few years ago, and still serves as my primary car. The car now has 201,000 miles on it, and is still serves reliably. The only service this car has needed since new has been the replacement of the alternator, which could not have been easier for me. These vehicles with the indestructable Buick 3800 engine will last forever.

• 

  Pros and Cons - 2003 Buick LeSabre
  By c. lindy - July 14 - 9:25 am

  The 03 LeSabre has everything going for it but good city gas mileage. Expressway mileage is very good considering the size of the car and its get up and go. I get approximately 30-32 mpg. Problem is, most of my driving is in the city/suburbs and with the July, 2006 price of gasoline I am unhappy with the approximate mileage of 16 mpg.