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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  We LOVE this car! - 2013 Buick Verano
  By sclose - June 8 - 8:28 am

  We purchase a new Verano with the Leather Group package and some additional options. It has ALL the bells and whistles except the turbo (which I didnt want). The base engine has more than sufficient power, the six speed transmission shifts super smoothly, the handling is outstanding, and this is the quietest car we have ever riden in! The Bose music system is incredible! The rear seat handles our 6 2" grandson perfectly with plenty of leg and head room. On our last 200 mile trip through the Sierras and Feather River Canyon we got an incredible 34.5 mpg! After months of research and test driving MANY cars, we made the right choice! And its a looker too!

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  2014 Buick Encore SUV - 2014 Buick Encore
  By seanesther - June 8 - 1:01 am

  2014 Buick Encore White perl. About $32,000 before tax for full fully loaded premium AWD 2014 incluing cargo net, organiser, cargo floor, floor mats etc. I have driven it from Seattle to Los Angeles for a week mostly west coast 1 and 101 hwy. Here is what I felt after driving over 1400 miles. 1. Very comfy riding experience, also thx to the noise reduction technology. Stylish exterior and cute design good for 20s 30s female driver. 2. Despite of small suv size, it is roomy inside for 4 ppl. Cargo space is little tight though. 3. No problem merging hwy however, no confident following another suv up on the mountain hills. I felt little embarrassing.

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  Absolutly love this car!!!! - 2000 Buick Century
  By mandapanda - May 20 - 6:09 pm

  When I bought this car it had high millage (abt 200k). I it was one of the best cars I have ever owned! The low tire light would come on sometimes when tire was not really low and, had a problem with the light switch. Never had the chance to find out exactly what caused it because my sister ended up driving it over a 20ft bank. The car was totaled but, my sister came out of the wreck with only bruises and seat belt burn. Really miss my baby. Would recommend this to anyone and, would love to own another some day!

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  Good MPG for its size - 2011 Buick Enclave
  By kb5868 - May 13 - 9:52 am

  I bought a 2011 Enclave with only 20k miles after my lease was up on my 2012 Infiniti EX35. My Enclave gets a consistent 17 mpg in town compared to 15 mpg for the EX. It is easily twice the size of the Infiniti, the primary reason for not getting another EX lease - no one could fit in the back seat! So, for a vehicle that is nearly as large as my Yukon Denali, Im fairly impressed with the gas mileage. everyone has their opinions, but I was puzzled by all the comments about how 2-3 mpg was bankrupting people that bought $45k cars and were considering $60k cars with better MPG to make up the difference. Different econ class than I had in high school I guess...LOL!

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  Favorite Car - 2014 Buick Encore
  By texasgovernor - April 23 - 10:11 am

  Absolutely Love this Car. Addictive to drive. Blows away the whole field of SUVs

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  Who wouldve thought Id rather have a Buick? - 2002 Buick Regal
  By newportbob - April 4 - 6:42 pm

  Having never owned a GM car, I was not sure what to expect. Id done a lot of research and, for the value, the Buick Regal kept coming up. I found a beauty, a 2002 for $3,000. Looks and runs like new, great power, luscious leather interior (spotless), one of the finest sound systems Ive ever heard, hugs the road like a bear. I absolutely love this car. The only other car I loved this much was a 1974 Volvo that we put 360,000 miles on. I dont know if Ill get the same with the Regal, but I do know that maintenance is key to vehicle longevity. Well see!

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  19998 buick regal will last forever - 1998 Buick Regal
  By justintawney - March 21 - 2:26 am

  I am 20 got this beast when I was 1 got it at 230,000 miles it now has 273.000 miles on it havent changed the oil in about 20,000 miles.. getting bad but will soon and just took two trips 250miles away and made it perfectly!! seats are ripping up changed the speakers all banged up ive been off roading in it sort of. never got stuck only problem was the thermostat went out and the mass air flow sensor went out. other then that I should get well over 300,000 miles soon. and hopefully more to come!! ive gone through so much with this car im running this tank to the ground!!!! oh yeah I bought it for 500 bucks.

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  Luxurious, but Nav system needs work. - 2014 Buick Enclave
  By enclaveguy - March 10 - 6:37 pm

  This is my 2nd Enclave. My first was in ’08, the introduction year. Ive loved it since. I have the 2014 model & its equally as nice with more bells & whistles. Overall, I would rate the Enclave as excellent. Its quality and luxury at a fairly affordable price. The Enclave is a heavy vehicle, so the power on the 2008 model seemed to be lacking, but the 2014 seems to have more power to get up to speed on the freeway. The interior color options seem to be lacking however, kind of funky for my tastes and I am not in love with the fake plastic "wood" trim inside. Buick missed the design mark on this. The navigation system leaves a lot to be desired as it is not very intuitive.

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  Excelent Luxury Family SUV - 2014 Buick Enclave
  By bshapiro1 - March 9 - 4:26 pm

  Loving our Enclave. Is exactly what we expected. The interior is large and comfortable. There is ample space in all three rows for adults to sit comfortably. Ride is smooth and quiet. Definately feels like top quality craftmanship. Handels well for a vehicle of its size. The blutooth connection for phones is great and we can easily stream music.

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  Love my 2014 Encore. Naysayers should drive it! - 2014 Buick Encore
  By janidb - February 23 - 5:37 pm

  I am an active older woman, and my husband and I wanted to buy a vehicle with some luxury touches, a higher seating position and a quiet interior. I kept looking at the Encore and being put off by reviews saying that the engine is too small, it’s slow etc. But when I actually test drove an Encore Leather, I was hooked. No problems merging on to the highway or driving on hills. The turbocharged engine managed just fine. Have driven it for 3 mths mostly in town with a few trips on the highway, and one in Rocky Mountain Nat. Pk. There, the car purred quietly up and down the snowy and sometimes slippery mountain roads and I could easily control the downhill speed in the Manual range.