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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  Buick Enclave - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By donna miles - May 5 - 1:51 pm

  After owning my Enclave for only 2 months, it went into lock down mode, i had to have it towed to the nearest dealership. I was 1 hour away from home and this was very inconvienent. onstar got a tow service quite fast and found out after 3 days in the shop that there was a short in the wiring behind the passenger seat..The battery is hidden inside of the vehicle and that is also a big problem. On a positive note, I do enjoy driving the vehicle and love the way it looks. I think it is well made and pray that i dont have any more problems like this one again...

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  Amazing - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By Frank - May 5 - 8:48 am

  Overall amazing SUV. Ride is very comfortable, holds a lot of people/luggage. Friends still cant believe how nice and luxurious it feels inside. The articulating headlights are amazing--make this car look like a spaceship when starting at night.

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  I love this car - 1991 Buick Riviera
  By bonehead - May 3 - 5:43 pm

  I have owned this car for close to three years one off which I was in Iraq, and it just sat for a year and still worked wonderfully when I came home. I have done nothing to fix it yet (besides a couple new tires) since owning it. Its almost 20 years old and works better than most of these new cars my friends own. I was a little hesitant on buying it but Im glad I did.

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  06 Terrazza with 3.9L V6 - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By mikeq - May 2 - 11:42 am

  Overall I think this is a good van. It has lots of room, very quite. Rides nice on highway. I have had no major problems, However Carl Black Buick performed some warranty work and did a very poor job.

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  CXS - Very Impressive Vehicle - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By buckeyecarguy - May 1 - 6:52 pm

  As a former Acura TL, and Lexus ES 300 owner, I can say that this car meets and in most cases exceeds my previous ownership experiences with either of these vehicles. The quality of this car is outstanding. By all means get the CXS, the larger engine completes the package. My wife has a new Lexus RX 350 and the CXS is far superior in terms of quality of materials on the interior, the NAV system (she has already complained to Lexus), and many amenities she doesnt have on her vehicle (heads up display, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, remote start, 5.1 surround sound, etc.) 2000 miles so far and the car is perfect. 25.5 MPG at 74 MPH.

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  2002 buick rendezvous - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By ubah - May 1 - 10:43 am

  I have a lot experience with cars but I got this Rendezvous like three years ago, it gave a hard time, first fuel sensor stopped working, then I change transmission six month, then I change struts, then the fuel pump changed now I am trying to trade it stop fixing, you know what with it now engine oil leaking need gasket, ac, condenser, compressor needed almost 2000 dollars and finally passenger side door does not open. I do not advise anybody to buy this car with right mind, the worst car ever made. The last thing it very hard to take out the battery it is underneath

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  really nice ride - goodbye cadillac! - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By keith - May 1 - 5:57 am

  Had 8 cadi s before this one, cts, dts, while its does quite get to a cadi, its almost there, worth every Penny without the additional cost of the cadi name! Smooth, really quiet inside, v-6 is perfect, stereo, seats are sumptuous, really has an updated look and feel, inside and out! Great mileage as well.

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  Shaking wont stop - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By Pissed off - April 30 - 1:38 pm

  This car has been to three dealerships with the same vibration issue, replaced axles, hubs, tires and still shakes, steering pulls to the right. Driver side door leaks in rain. Dealers are as frustrated with GM as I am and no relief in site. GM is not authorizing the proper repairs. I think they know what the problem is and are just dragging their feet trying to wear me down. I traded a 1995 Avalon XLS with 263,000 miles and no real problems on this piece of junk. Shame on GM for treating its customers so poorly. They deserve to go bankrupt without any bail out. Never again will I go with an American made piece of junk like this car.

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  Only 16 MPG - 2010 Buick Enclave
  By V8A - April 29 - 3:10 pm

  Love the car just do not love the MPG it is giving me. I know it is a heavier car but they should at least give you 18 MPG. Extra weight hurts. Turning on the A/C hurts. If I do both, it only give me 15 MPG. how sad. It looks great exterior and interior, but the MPG are horrible. They should do better.

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  su-purr review update - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By zeke - April 29 - 10:37 am

  Wrote 1st review 03/03/08 soon after purchase. Car still fun to drive. Only fault is door pillar trim starting to fade but dealer is going to replace. Sometimes a "grunt" from steering when turning all the way left and dealer is watching this too before the warranty rus out. Now have 40,000 miles and still great driver. This cart is different from 95% of the cars being reviewed on this page. This is a super not cx, cl, cxl etc. So most of the reviews written here do nor reflect the lax super.