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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  Beautiful, but unreliable - 2009 Buick Enclave
  By mlerlie - February 7 - 6:56 am

  Have owned luxury German cars for well over three decades but the beauty of the Enclave won us over while living in hilly Maryland. Big mistake. Expensive mistake. As other reviewers say, there are too many things going wrong for such a young vehicle. Plastic outside between the windows bubble/ripple, car rolls back while in drive on a hill as if it were in reverse, car rolls at least 6 inches after putting it in park on flat land, knocking noise when turning steering wheel either way, absolutely abysmal gas mileage - bottom end of mpg range, very sluggish on hills, but the deal breaker was the slipping transmission on a 3 year old car with less than 50k miles. Went back to BMW after 10 mo.

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  Form without Function - 2011 Buick Regal
  By coach32 - January 9 - 8:51 am

  I recently came out of a Toyota Camry lease and wanted to again join the GM family. I seen the Regal as a good looking alternative. I can safely say this is the biggest car buying mistake of my life. To say that this car is a dog is an understatement. The best I can get for MPH is 20.5 and I consider myself a conservative driver. Passing other cars? Forget about it! Only downhill with a tailwind. An hour in the seat is the most Ive ever made it without a break as the lumbar support, even when all the way back, feels like a gun being stuck in my back. Actually, all things considered, that is exactly what this experience has been. Unfortunately, I have 33 months left on the lease. UGH!!!

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  t07 with problems - 2011 Buick Regal
  By snewby04 - January 5 - 3:12 pm

  I have a beautiful white t07 regal turbo. This car handles amazing and drives great. My car unfortunately has a front suspension rattle in the right front. Its been to the dealer twice and I have opened a case with GM. To no avail, car still rattles and nobody at Buick cares. I guess I will have to pursue lemon law since Buick customer service doesnt care about their customers. Otherwise a wonderful car with nice amenities and looks great.

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  All show no go - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By vakmere - December 23 - 4:46 pm

  Had this Lacrosse for 4 months and Im not impressed any more. Clumsy and noisy is how I would describe it. Heres the list, 1. Car rides fine until you go over a series of bumps. Hold on to your coffee if its open. 2. Knee and head protection may be needed if you want to enter or exit this car quickly. Very cumbersome. Turning in or out of your driveway may cause wiplash due to the stiff suspension. 3. A distinct and fairly audible metalic ticking noise from the engine. Dealership says its normal, I say theres a problem. Engine shakes noticeably at idle (in drive). Accelleration and crusing is no problem. 4. Trunk space is way too small, tight fit for 2 sets of golf clubs.

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  Buick Rainer V-8 - 2004 Buick Rainier
  By shadav - December 10 - 9:25 pm

  I have owned several Buicks and this is by far the worst one I have owned. The one I traded in had 143,000 miles on it and was still running perfectly. With the Rainier, I began have trouble around 60,000 miles. The instrument panel had to be replaced, then the air conditioner blew hot air on the passenger side. Then it was the transfer case, then the air bags used in the suspension area began leaking. At this very moment, it is parked in my garage with a broken water pump. I havent driven it in 4 months. Instead, I bought a used vehicle that I paid cash for to get around town in. It has been much more reliable than the Buick.

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  Not made for Tall People - 2012 Buick LaCrosse
  By mejp - December 4 - 7:40 am

  The curvature of the doors make it impossible to get in or out without hitting my head unless I fold like a rag doll. Not to mention creating quite a blind spot when looking over the shoulder for traffic. The lumbar support in the drivers seat is too large even when reset to zero, thus making my back hurt even after a short drive. This car is so low to the ground that even curbs become a hazard! Dealerships driver ran into a curb and caused extensive damage. Between seat console is awkward, pinches fingers when extending the arm-rest and storage is limited. The steering column is clumsy to adjust, why isnt it electric? Cant open trunk from inside????

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  Buick Another Word for Broke - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By foodle - November 11 - 6:50 pm

  Weve only had it a year. Purchased the extended warranty. Good thing, its been in the shop 6 times. Twice for a draining battery issue that the dealer never did find the answer to. Battery drained and left us stranded at the airport twice each time after only 5 days. Battery tested good. Dealer recommended a new battery anyway since they couldnt find the problem. Four times in the shop for electronic doors that chime - drove us nuts - and seldom worked. Dealer said they couldnt duplicate the problem at the shop but acknowledged we werent lying. Transmission started to slip in first. Only thing to do: we decided to dump it and lose $ on it. Advice: Stay away.

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  watch out for this...its potentially deadly... - 1994 Buick Roadmaster
  By malibuick - November 7 - 9:07 pm

  yesterday as i was going from neutral to reverse in my driveway.the throttle raced to full and i couldnt stop the car.i ran into my house going about 35 miles an hour and totalled the car and broke my collarbone and obviously messed up the house too.it happened so fast and it went at full speed that i didnt have time to turn off the engine thinking it was just a stuck pedal...but it wasnt and it only stopped on impact.the airbags never deployed and i still havent removed the car from the house...i was alone thankfully or else there could have been a far more serious outcome. has anyone else experienced this???? i had no warning the 94 wagon has 100k miles on it and is in 9.5 shape.

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  Nothing but trouble - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By jmacokc - November 6 - 9:12 pm

  I was drawn to the Buick Terraza because it had lots of bells and whistles and low miles (29K). I have owned this vehicle for a little over 2 years and it has been nothing but a pain. Have replaced Wheel Hub Assemblies and control arms twice. Replaced lift gate struts at 50k. Automatic door stopped working and warning bell continuously dings while driving unless fuse for radio is pulled. ABS, Stability Control and Traction Control warning lights come on for no reason. DVD player gets hot to the touch. Plastic molding on the doors has come off. I have regular & scheduled maintenance done and drive it with respect. Do yourself a favor stay away from this vehicle.

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  Be Careful! - 2011 Buick Regal
  By bradlys - October 10 - 11:07 am

  The transmission has nearly killed us several times while merging into traffic. It has also just quit working, requiring On Star to reset the computer. Though nothing can be found at the dealer, several excuses have been offered. We drove several different Regals while test driving and one of those did the same thing but we thought it might have been us, well it wasnt. The car doesnt down shift while slowing down so when you go to accelerate there is a long pause (very long). The bad part is you never know when it will do it which will lull you into a false sense of security. The rear taillights look like they were assembled for 2 different cars and the paint is chipping horribly.