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:

• 

  This is a 2004? - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By *likesthatcar* - October 4 - 7:41 am

  I cant believe this car. A curvy, sharp, eye catcher. Whats funny is that people associate quality Buicks to old people, the catch 22 is that I can pass people with ease in less than 15 seconds without jamming the pedal to the floor. Attractive styling inside and out. Great sound system and the controls are even on the wheel. Wish it had auxiliary instead of the tape, but I can always go to Walmart a get a tape to mp3 thingamajig. Good reliability, great in the rain. Seriously though this car looks like one from 2011 if it had a updated stereo, possibly Bluetooth. And this is a 2004?!?! Love that little 3.8 super reliable with some step in its pace. You know why old people buy Buicks? Well, keep these 4 factors in mind COMFORT, RELIABILITY, SAFETY, WONT BE RACED BY SOME PUNKY TEEN TRYING TO SHOW OFF. To keep supporting buick, and looking for a cheap, reliable car with great materials, and power? What are you waiting for buy this!

• 

  Believe in Quite Tuning - 2014 Buick Enclave
  By Rattler - October 3 - 7:23 pm

  The Enclave is an EXCELLENT value. Very quite, very smooth, spacious, well appointed, comfortable, elegant appearance, perfect drive train package, excellent Infotainment unit with redundant manual controls, no service issues, excellent gas mileage for the size of the vehicle. Does it get any better?

• 

  Fun, Sweet Interior, Efficient - 2015 Buick Encore
  By JIM NICHOLS - October 1 - 10:58 pm

  The Encore is an ideal car for someone who ants more carrying space than a car, but not the 14MPG of a big SUV. The interior is really well appointed for the class that it is in. The engine is small but more than adequete for this speed limit driver. Acceleration speed is good, though the RPMs go a little high with foot onthe floor. But for me that situation doesnt come up much. Its comfortable, easy to park, and has lots of features that sont expect for a car in the $20Ks. Its quite cute, and people are generally surprised that its a Buick. Its made in the US in a UAW plant which matters to me. Update: I just submitted a review of this car and made an error in it. I said that the car is made in the US and it is not. It is made in South Korea. Otherwise the review was an honest assessment, but I want to be cognizant of people (like me) to try to buy US made products

• 

  best bang for the buck - 2015 Buick LaCrosse
  By edward - September 29 - 6:17 pm

• 

  Loaded Lemon - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By kyukido - September 29 - 8:40 am

  Weve owned it for about 3 years now. The car came loaded with all the accessories (DVD, electric heated leather seats, electric doors). It does have a good engine, and nice acceleration but other than that, its the worst lemon of a car Ive ever owned. We bought this car used and have had nothing but problems with it. The DVD player stopped working after about two years. The steering leaks, one sliding door doesnt work at all anymore, not even manually! The fob stopped working (even with a new battery), the strap to close the back gate broke, the warning bell that a door may be open goes off when you go over a bump and theres NOTHING you can do to make it stop. The door lock button had to be replaced, the driver side window fell off its track. The catalytic converter needs to be replaced. The rear gate leaks. Climate controls are HORRIBLE. Its impossible to keep the windows free and clear of frost in the winter. God forbid you try to change a headlight or turn signal on this thing yourself. It truly amazes me that I dont see more people complaining about this car.

• 

  225,000 miles and no problems... - 1992 Buick Century
  By tiffany - September 29 - 8:32 am

  owned my 92 century for about 4 years now. i got it with 208,000 miles. in the past 4 years ive put under $500 into this car to keep it running (brakes, oil changes, cracked exhaust manifold, harmonic balancer, heater core, a couple of hoses.) all of these repairs were very easy and affordable to have repaired. the parts for this car are very cheap and easily found just about anywhere. this car is very comfortable with plenty of leg and cargo room. the trunk is huge and the back seat is so comforable, ive slept back there. this car has been incredibly reliable. no one can believe the mileage on it and how reliable it has been. i am planning on getting another buick when this one dies someday...

• 

  great value, for the quality, & reliable car, - 2014 Buick Verano
  By Sonny D. - September 28 - 5:15 am

  second one purchased, first one was a 2012, now a 2014. there a Reliable car, that has quality materials , comfort and style. joy to drive, and i like the on star feature. you have that peace of mind, on star monitors the engine, components, sends you a email with diagnoses monthly. great car for the price.

• 

  Great Average car - 2001 Buick Century
  By friddlebillrules@yahoo.com - September 28 - 3:20 am

  Bought mine for $1200 off a private seller. It needed and alignment and tires. It also had the ABS and "Trac Off" light on. I bought it with 165,000 miles on it and had a mechanic look over it and do some pressure tests. Only complaint i really have with this car is there is no rpm gauge on the cluster. kind of a pain but i can live with that. The car is extremely comfortable. I have a slightly bad back and driving for long periods of time doesnt mess with my back at all. The electronic seat adjustment helps out a lot too. The dash has a nice setup. Nothing is complicated and its easier to fix that a lot of newer cars. The engine is pretty nice. It holds up well with basic maintenance. With the higher mileage I have on mine Ive never had to do anything with it. Previous owner did have to replace the intake manifold gasket, but thats a known problem with the Century. Has the perfect amount of acceleration. It not ridiculously fast but its not slow. Its got some pick up if you need it. You dont need to race in a Century. Once i got the alignment and tire fixed the car rode like it was brand new. Heck, it drove nicer than my brand new Kia Soul did. The car doesnt look flashy, but I still think it looks alright beside the rocker rust that come free with every Century. :-) If you find one for a good deal and you like it get it.

• 

  Only two occasions - 2015 Buick LaCrosse
  By Lowbudgetguy - September 26 - 10:53 pm

  Thought after looking at used pre owned cars just get a 2015 Buick Lacrosse. I have the cheapest version car is incredible in smooth ride. Being its the luxurious version of Buick this vehicle powered with four cylinder other cars as new Maxima and Chrysler 300 dont have em. It does get good fuel economy for a large car as Lacrosse so stylish at best. I love the logic quality materials but one thing as said about two occasions the rear headroom and visibility is horrible other than a cheap car purchased. The car is nice but seems the controls are bit difficult at times other than that like this car its affordable getting this vehicle might keep for couple months after my leased be up on something else.

• 

  2010 lacrosse history - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Robert Carroll - September 26 - 7:27 am

  Own The car since 2010 had 400 miles, warranty work done so far is tires replaced (they were out of round), steering corrected after multiple complaints about noise when turning, body work due gulp paint mismatch on front and rear bumpers, rotors turned multiple times due to warping, @ 51000 replaced rotors after warranty expired no problems since, @ 80000 water pump replaced, @ 89000 ac compresser and condenser replaced because descident bag opened expensive fix, @ 92000 power steering started leaking car currently in shop to diagnose.