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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  Buy American - 2009 Buick LaCrosse
  By John - November 25 - 8:30 pm

  Bought the Lacrosse for my wife. Car handles even nicer than a Cad. CTS! Fun to drive and very comfortable. I have owned Buicks for 30 years and have had only a few problems. Dont believe all the neagativity about American cars. Research and test them for yourself. Had one slight problem with the navigation. Buick called me personally to see if the dealer repaired the problem. They more than proved to me they care!

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  A keeper - 1990 Buick Riviera
  By HarryP - November 23 - 4:26 pm

  Big, safe, powerful, smooth. This car gets about 26 mpg on the highway, yet has decent pickup and a high top speed. The center console is all digital and touch screen (factory), letting you know everything that is going on. Its had transmission issues, but its easy and cheap to find a replacement at the junk yard with decent mileage on it, being that the transmission goes in about 7 or 8 different GM models. Also, watch your speed in this car, I catch myself doing over 80 and it feels like most other cars do at 55.

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  Way to go GM! A great luxurious ride. - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Dan - November 20 - 3:16 pm

  Wanting to replace my Escalade, I looked at Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, & Mazdas. I then found the GM Lamda platform of which Traverse caught my eye first. I then drove the Outlook and Acadia but after I drove the Enclave I knew! It had such an incredibly smooth, quiet ride with technology only found in more expensive vechiles. After I get over the shock that I am driving a Buick (it looks so damn good for a Buick!), all else has been a fantastic experience for me. This platform should help Americians look at buying a great product from their own country again.

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  Excellent - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By paul d - November 19 - 5:51 pm

  I had this vehicle one month. I love it. Great comfort, smooth. GM has a winner with this vehicle.

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  Great Vehicle-Certainly Worth Purchase - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Mom of 3 - November 19 - 11:12 am

  I bought this vehicle new in 2002 & it now has 84,000 miles. Only had to replace wheel bearings (just recently) and am having fuel line replaced (recall). Other than that, just regular maintenance. My family loves this vehicle and it is still as much fun to drive as the day I bought it.

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  Best Car I ever drove - 2006 Buick Rainier
  By Frank - November 15 - 2:01 pm

  After driving a Ford Explorer for almost 200,000 miles, my Buick Rainer has been a pleasure to drive. The ride and features are great--especially air adjustable load levelers. Great car.

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  Great Crossover SUV - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By Texas Owner - November 15 - 12:21 pm

  We absolutely love this crossover. We receive many compliments on its styling. Absolutely no problem other than the transmission hesitates on occasion. There is a program change we are considering which Im told will seem like a 50 hp boost..downside Im told might be a lost in fuel economy (Currently 17.9 MPG in town and consistently with hard driving on the freeway 21+ MPG). We bought the factory running boards-they are very helpful for some elderly folks we transport and it really dresses up that vehicle..and they fit perfectly into the styling. Only downside, power lift hits our garage door (triggers automatic close) so we have to turn it off when we drive into the garage.

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  Love this car - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By kimer - November 14 - 9:58 pm

  Only thing I wish was better is fuel economy (I get around 18-20 in town) Otherwise, I love everything about this car. Ive had it about 4 months now and I love driving it. Mine is black and I have to say, (no offense to anybody) Ive seen it in several colors and this car just looks better in black. I added a spoiler and got the windows tinted and it looks sweet! Gets lots of compliments from young and old. Everybody likes this car.

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  Love My Vous! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By Sunpuppy - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and stylish SUV. In my opinion, its a sleeper in the SUV world--great vehicle for the money. Looks like a Lexus, but much cheaper and still great quality. I enjoy driving it, and have plenty of room for my two golden retrievers. Two crates can easily fit in cargo area. So far, Ive gotten 18.7 mpg for city driving. You can tell GM and Buick are working hard to build better quality vehicles and keep their customers happy.

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  Great Car on Base Price - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Tammy - November 7 - 9:45 am

  Purchased this 08 LaCrosse in April, 2008, have 20,000 on it already and love it! Got the base model, but its a Buick! So it has all the creature comforts--power windows, door locks, and driver seat cruise, tilt--and great gas mileage. Good git-up-and-go and plenty of room inside. Nice sized steering wheel for a womans hands. Only knock is the trunk is a little narrow to get a large suitcase into and out of easily, but I love the trunk release design! Overall, a great vehicle for the money.