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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  Bought another - 1997 Buick Regal
  By Happy GS - March 8 - 1:28 am

  After selling our last (97), not my choice, I have purchased another. The car is great to drive always bringing a smile. Comfortable on long trips with good mpg. The only maintence I needed was the normal, belts, brakes, etc. The only other sedan I compare it to is my Cad Seville. For the money its a really good all around car. My only complant is the drink holder. Now that is cheap.

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  Love the ride, not that fun to drive - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Jared Ellars - March 7 - 9:55 pm

  Very comfortable car, smooth ride and quite. Only real gripe that I have with the car is the engine. Ive liked the 3.8 in the past, but I think the performance is poor in this car. Could be gearing, but engine seems to run at too low RPMs to effectively change speeds. Engine seems to labor when increasing speed. After it decides to shift down a gear or two, then the performance is there. Mileage is also extremely disappointing. Only get about 25-26 on highway. That is very poor cause my 3.5L (with more horse power) Olds Intrigue got over 30 on highway. City mileage is poor as well in my opinion, I get 18 mpg which includes two miles of stop and go traffic and 8 miles interstate driving.

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  Ive always wanted one of these - 2003 Buick Regal
  By Poor Boy - March 2 - 10:17 am

  I liked the Regals when I was a kid and saw the mid-80s models and thought they were great then, and still do. I finally got my hands on this one, and though Ive only owned it for a few hundred miles, Im already in love. When you kick it, it moves. The ride is comfortable, but you can feel the road and remember that you are, in fact, driving. Buick has the greatest seats ever put into any car, bar none. Im a happy camper.

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  I couldve had a V8 - 2003 Buick Park Avenue
  By imagedude - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This is so far a nice car to drive. I think - for the price - it is loaded with features. I really like the room (Im 64") and appreciate the lack of center console. All imports seem to have this annoying "feature" which is always in my way. The drive is smooth, though I wish it had the torque feel of a V8. Hey, its a big car, put a V8 in there. Even the 4.8L V8 in the Tahoe would be nice. Though 240 ponies gets me up and going I feel it lacking.

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  Not your grandfathers Buick - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tom Raveling - March 1 - 3:29 pm

  After 2 Chevrolet Blazers this is a great change. As desert dwellers who never go offroad we always buy a 4X2. we like the utility of a small tall station wagon (read SUV). This CUV does everything we expected without the truck like handling.

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  A pretty good car - 1998 Buick Century
  By Val Bennett - February 28 - 8:41 pm

  This car has been a very reliable mode of transportation. The only major repair was a front wheel bearing. The cassette/radio had to be replaced. My kids call it a "grandma car", but it is comfortable.

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  Excellent Value - 1994 Buick Regal
  By 3800special - February 27 - 8:20 am

  Ive had my 94 Regal for about 2 years now (about 30,000 miles). It currenlty has 125,000 miles with no major issues in its past. The 3800 engine is rock solid, as is the 4T60-E automatic transmission. I have only performed basic maintenance on this vehicle. It will get 31-32 MPG on the highway. In combined city/hwy, I average around 24 mpg. The guage cluster is kinda funky, but you get used to it. The interior is holding up well with surprisingly few rattles. The paint is another story though. Typical trunk paint peeling. But, its a commuter car, no big deal.

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  Not many around - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By joein508 - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Waited for the Ultra to get the bigger engine. Good choice. Runs well and handles well. Can enter hywys with out fear. Good turn radious. HUD should hold more info than just the speed. Radio? time? etc. Except for speed it just flashes the info for a short time. Radio is a problem. Works ok on FM but picking up motor/electrical noise in AM. Poor AM range and reception. Dealer blames antenna. I blame installation. Dealer going to install a new radio. Time will tell who is right. Gas 3MPG below what is listed. Only 300m range per tank. Best effort 15.4 mpg city 18.1 mpg hywy (using cruise control)

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  Love My SUV - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Road Island Red - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Lets talk windows..All 4 motors had to be replaced on my power windows.Not fun having to use the air(with the gas prices!)when you really dont need to use it!Service dept.told me the motors are not what they use to be,but should I have to suffer? For what the Buick cost at least get rid of the junk and put in better motors.P.S. Buick only 4 months old!! Windows aside I really DO love my truck!!I am glad I have it.

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  2nd owner - 1991 Buick LeSabre
  By JOHN - February 21 - 11:35 am

  I bought this car as a 2nd owner with 92000 miles. I put 25000 miles on it since. I paid 900 $ for it , It coasts very good & good gas mileage, 20 - 22mpg. The 3.8 v- 6 is very strong. The tranny shifts good & I reccomend this car. Its kinda plain looking but with it being paid for it is far better than having car payments. The power of the engine is a key point in the ownership. The 3.8 v- 6 is now in the GM flagship v-g for the last 20 somthing years.