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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  Value of Buick LeSabre - 1991 Buick LeSabre
  By S P J - October 27 - 3:56 am

  This Buick LeSabre has been well cared for with regular service, new struts, lots of very clean trunk space. There are no tears or scratches to the clean well kept interior. A new radio was installed last year with a CD player, multiple AM/FM bands and stereo speakers - front and back.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By rbranscum - October 18 - 4:04 pm

  Extremely comfortable. I am in sales and spend a lot of time in it. It is very quiet and the heated seats and moonroof are great. Also the Bose sound system is a wonderful plus. I have the awd model and have had problems with it. It wants to engage sometimes when you are backing up. The dealership has not been able to stop it from doing it. Otherwise, great vehicle

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  Not greatness, but close enough. - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By andylibby - October 16 - 10:26 am

  The 2010 Buick Lacrosse is a big step forward for GM and American cars in general. The price is remarkably reasonable. The drive and ride is solid and predictable. The seats are supportive and wrap comfortably to hold the driver and front passenger firmly in place. The cabin is both sumptuous and functional and shelters its occupants from the elements while giving the driver plenty of feedback from the road. Steering is precise and almost nimble. The brakes are very strong and consistent. Rear seat legroom and seating is spacious and utterly comfortable. Trunk space is very good with low lift-over and wide access. Throw in fold down rear seats and youve got a lot of versatility.

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  Rear floor design - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Rosalie - October 15 - 2:26 am

  The rear floor has a very bad curve near the rear door below the rear seat. I had a passenger catch his foot on the lower part of the curved floor as he tried to exit the auto. He triped and fell head first to the ground. He was aware that the floor is a step down, but did not notice the curve near the rear seat. The floor that the seat is resting on should be straight, not curved. This could be very dangereous. Not to mention a law suit if someone is really hurt. I am not sure if GM would fix this problem on MY auto?

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  Growing up - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By angel428 - October 13 - 1:52 am

  This has probably been the best grown up decision I have ever made. There is enough room to bring the whole group shopping or on a weekend getaway. Easy to park and good on gas so I can go more often. Definely recomended for those who need a good quality car without knowing what the future holds for the next several years.

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  A pleasant surprise - 1992 Buick LeSabre
  By me? in a BUICK?! - October 11 - 2:21 pm

  I bought this "beast" from my bro-in- law for $1,000. It had about 82,000 miles. I figured it would be a good first car for my soon to be driving 17 yr old daughter. Little did I know I would need it for myself. Ive put 10,000 miles on it since. Its too big and mushy for my taste. I tend to drive spiritedly. You just cant zip around corners. But its got a lot going for it and a used LeSabre is a terrific value. This car was $24,000 in 92 with loads of luxo/safety items. They are generally owned by older folk who drive easier and keep up with servicing. The car is very dependable. I recently replaced the master cylinder which gave me plenty of warning ($500).

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  Fun to drive, drag to fix - 2000 Buick Regal
  By NL - October 3 - 9:06 pm

  I have owned my 2000 Buick GSE for two years now. I love the supercharged 3.8, powershift and traction control, leather seats and the sleeper look. The car has plenty of power when I want it and the traction control works better than I expected in upstate ny winters. The interior is well done, my favorites are the leather seats,the monsoon stereo, and very cold a/c. I recently turned 44k miles and have replaced front brakes due to frozen caliper, rear brake rotors due to warp, there is an exhaust leak at the flex and unbelievably all the wheels are so corroded that they leak air and the shop recomends replacing all for $800-$1000. The white paint is also failing and starting to peel.

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  1999 Buick Regal - 1999 Buick Regal
  By BD - September 30 - 9:34 pm

  I purchased mine used at 12k miles, and its now at 70k. Stereo is amazing! It was my favorite car, but now "little" things are going wrong. Sometimes windows wont go down, the body control module went out - cost several hundred to fix, the ABS sensor went bad - cost another several hundred, had to have trim fixed around the windows, and now the interior display panels wont light up! I love the car, but Im starting to get fed up!

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  Wagons Rule - 1996 Buick Century
  By angela - September 30 - 5:36 pm

  Engine blew around 66k when oil gasket leaked and let a cyl go dry. 3.1L has lots of power, but a spotty reliability history, some really good, some really bad. watch out for intake manifold gaskets that will let oil and water mix to blow engine.

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  05 Buick Lacross - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Ron - September 26 - 1:53 pm

  Overall ride and comfort has been very good. Whisper quiet, comfortable on long trips, firm suportive seats. I purchased the bucket seats as the bench seat has a dumb looking fold out center console. Controls well placed. Car had a brake pulsation caused from warped brake rotors. Car was fixed but when I picked the car up in a rainstorm found passenger side flooded with water. Had to bring car back twice to have leak fixed. Was not a happy person! That was unacceptable to me as build quality should have been better. Overall since that time all has been good with no other issues. Hope it stays that way. The interior (Tan) is what I bought needs to be darker to show less dirt. Good value overall.