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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  Love It - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By johnny - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Had a Jimmy then Blazer. I am a salesman on the road quite a bit. Fuem Milage is good at around 23 mpg. Ride is great compared to Blazer and the road noise is very low. Plenty of storage space.

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  Mama Rias Baby - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Mama - August 30 - 10:57 pm

  This review is for the ULTRA. The car is nice to look at and quite comfortable to drive, but the maintenance is killing us. With just a few miles on the car were on a first name basis with the shop mechanics! The brakes make noise (clacking) all the time and is really anoying, the AWD system was the last thing to fail. Buick, great try, but Ill stick with Acura, or Lexus from now on.

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  Solid sedan - a Detroit success story - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By Jadziasman - August 21 - 9:45 pm

  Surprised was I when shopping for a used car in the $6000 area. Looked first at a Park Avenue with mucho miles and then searched for a LeSabre. While the styling of the 99 looks like a 79, the car gets me from A to B in comfort and hasnt failed me yet after 23,000 miles of highway driving. While this is not a luxury car by any means, its probably one of the best you can buy for a six year old car. Decent gas mileage about 25 to 27 MPG year round. No maintenance other than the usual stuff (oil, filters, etc.) As to handling, well the big guy is a little scary around corners - oodles of body lean and tire squeal at 45 MPH. I would have liked tighter steering.

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  Terazza - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Ericzoom - August 21 - 11:51 am

  The van rides pretty well and has decent pickup for its size and weight. The brakes feel good with little fade and no shudder.The seats are comfortable and theres lots of room for hauling things.

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  New Purchaser - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By buc fan - August 21 - 10:00 am

  We love it. More space than mini vans in the fornt and second rows. Surprisingly spacious in rear compartment. Solid, well built. Lotsa bells and whisltes. Only knock is pickup 0-45 mph.

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  I love my LaCrosse-Fantastic Value - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By justy - August 20 - 11:51 am

  I bought my LaCrosse a few months ago and I really like it a lot. I traded in a small SUV because I really wanted the comfort of a sedan again. I am 38, but and in a professional line of work, so I wanted to buy a car that is classy. This car fits the bill! It is absolutely beautiful inside. The wood grain is what sold me (yes, I know its not real-but I like it). The thing I am most disappointed in the handling. The steering has some play and I think it needs to be tighter. I agree with others that the trunk is awkward to close. I wish I bought a higher trim level but its still a great value.

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  My Rendezvous 2004 - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Dr. Rod - August 17 - 2:08 pm

  Very good automobile. My one big complaint is that the third seat is practically useless. It can be used for small children but not an adult. I have bucket seats so my R will seat only four people. I never thought GM would design a seat interior which is so confining. Gas mileage is rated at 26 highway but I can consistently beat this by a couple of miles per gallon as I drive to conserve my car and gasoline. Because of the seating I do not think I would buy this car again. If anyone buys one they should look carefully at this.

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  Buick Ultra - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By dave - August 17 - 9:48 am

  The 05 Ultra is comfortable and luxurious. The HUD display is fun and funtional. The 3.6 ltr. engine has lots of pep but less then advertised fuel economy, best we have seen out of this all wheel drive model is 21. The vehicle is nimble but steering is somewhat choppy at higher speeds with the steering wheel pulling you one direction while you steer another. Best described as a pulsing sensation. The car rides great and has good visability. Large mirrors compensate for a small blind spot on the drivers side. The seats have excellent driving positions and the stereo is excellent. With the third seat installed your room sor storage is extremely limited. Overall a stylish car.

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  Buick Riviera - 1993 Buick Riviera
  By sherry wornkey - August 16 - 3:58 pm

  I love the way it handles and the seats are comfortable. It has small scratches, one on the fender and the rims on the hubcaps are dented. And it of course use a lot of gas. Has an 18 gallon tank

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  2003 Buick Century - 2003 Buick Century
  By JT - August 16 - 3:14 am

  The engine is powerful enough to provide good acceleration from a standing start and when passing or merging into traffic. Basic trim and accesories no frills. Seat adjustments make it easy to get comfortable. Stereo passable. Instrument cluster very functional. Handling OK for a large car, but on very windy roads, its work to drive. Easy in and out, both front and back.