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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  Great but with flaws - 2013 Buick Verano
  By ohheck - July 15 - 5:17 pm

  Overall, I really like my 2013 Verano Leather Group. However, its not all roses. My main objective was to find a quiet, comfortable car with decent mpg. The Verano does this well. However, I have issues that really detract from my driving enjoyment. They are: very harsh downshifts from the automatic transmission. The Bluetooth randomly changes from English to French and loses my Contacts list. The XM radio changes channels by itself. I turn off the car with the station tuned to one channel, only to find it tuned to the Preview channel #1 upon restarting the car. According to the dealer, no trouble found. I wont return to GM after my 2 year lease is up.

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  Nice family car - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By jimk1500 - July 9 - 10:45 am

  I bought my 2002 Buick RDZ CXL near 80K miles for $5,500. So far the only significant maintenance that I have had to perform is replacing an expensive sensor in the rear dif. that enabled AWD ($650). Ouch! But no problems otherwise. Nice luxury features for the money. Will probably be switching air ride shocks for stock shocks because the air pump is going, but its just routine care. Not crazy about the lack of power, but it makes me drive slower (my wife is happier). Handled very well in the winter. Surprised that I dont need my truck every time I go to Lowes. Service Records did show that previous owner had trouble with intake. Not my dream car, but a nice cheap drive so far.

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  2006 Buick Lucerne CXL - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By feistyscot - July 8 - 11:25 am

  I bought this car used with 47,000 miles on it and have driven it 27,000 miles in one year. It has a very quiet ride and decent acceleration for a V6 powered boat of a car. Gas mileage on the highway ranges between 25-26 mpg in the winter to 27-30 in the summer. In town? 18-19. Not that great. The stock radio went to the recycle yard right away. I had to turn it up pretty much to the extent of its volume to hear. Chucked it for a Pioneer aftermarket and that solved the sound issues. The drivers seat isnt the most comfortable and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel doesnt help. Trunk space and lack of a true fold down rear seat are also drawbacks.

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  Love my 2013 Encore - 2013 Buick Encore
  By peegggers - June 19 - 7:14 pm

  Ive had my Encore for 2 months now. Ive been using it for my daily commute of 70 miles round trip...and am getting an average of 27.2 mpg. Just got back from a 10 day 10 state trip driving through torrential rain (tropical storm Andrea) and the only complaints I have is the Bluetooth wouldnt always connect with my phone and sometimes the GPS wouldnt work. It was a little bit hard to pass other cars in the mountains of Pennsylvania but every other part of the trip the driving was great! We averaged 33 mpg. Plenty of room for 2 people and with the back seats folded down there was plenty of cargo space.

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  My First Car - 1999 Buick Century
  By rachel152 - June 17 - 7:42 pm

  I have to say, driving a Buick Century for my 16th birthday wasnt the most stylish thing, but I loved it! This car has about 150,000 miles on it and has had no problems. (just a few minor things) The gas mileage is pretty decent in this car. The seats are unbelievably comfortable. The stereo works incredibly well and is loud. Drives wonderfully on the highway, and surprisingly does good in snow, etc. Back seats are comfortable and offer tons of room. I would actually recommend this car over the car I drive now (Jeep Liberty). This was my first car and I still loved it, and Im sure I would buy one again if I had the choice.

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  First V6 Ive owned- Leather Group FWD V6 with Sunroof and Chrome Plated wheels - 2013 Buick LaCrosse
  By mna1128 - June 16 - 5:40 pm

  Trading in my 12 Avalanche for the LaCrosse was a tough choice I made 2 weeks ago. So far I have no regrets. Living around Chicago, gas prices are hovering around $4.50/gal for reg grade. I needed to trade the V8 gas guzzler for something more reasonable and this was my choice. Ive considered the 300, but went with Buick due to Chryslers past power train issues and overall value with Buick. The car handles well, ride quality is okay and acceleration is acceptable. Thats saying a lot considering Ive only owned V8s leading up to this. I drive with confidence on the highway and can easily accelerate to pass slower vehicles.

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  Very Nice - 2013 Buick Verano
  By falkender42 - May 28 - 8:10 am

  I’ve had my Turbo Verano for about two months. It’s my first Buick, and it’s just right for me at this point in my life: right price and right size. It rides well and is quiet, although there is some road/tire noise. I first drove a model with the base engine, which I felt was rather anemic. The turbo is more than adequate for this driver I actually have to restrain myself a bit when stepping on the gas pedal. Body design is fine, if a bit demure. Interior is very comfortable and well appointed. Overall, it’s an very nice car.

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  Sporty attention getting workhorse - 2011 Buick Regal
  By jcg6878 - May 25 - 11:31 pm

  I bought my 2011 Regal new. Great experience with the sales staff and VIP style service department. The car is beautiful. Even two years later I still get compliments and questions about it. Its a fun to drive comfortable sporty and luxurious. Fully loaded, money well-spent. Ive driven the car from California to New York and back made many road trips to Vegas. I punish the car daily in heavy L.A. traffic on extremely hot days, too. Very solid. Low maintenance. Only issue has been with the brakes. Pads were glazed and rotors warped at 8,000 miles. Replaced under warranty. Brakes and rotors again at 29,000--warranty will not cover this time. Car is fantastic otherwise.

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  I am pretty happy with owning this Buick - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By la312 - May 25 - 2:41 pm

  We bought this Buick from our friend and owned it for almost 3 years. It did happen to visit mechanic, but which car didnt? regularly change brakes, oil, and fluids, etc. there is no major issue. however, the interior is not meeting my exception of the luxury SUV.

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  Great on long or short trips. - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By nkusigep - May 20 - 10:42 am

  It rolls a bit through turns and across lanes during lane changes but its suspension is a little looser which is great for bad roads. It has tons of head and leg room for big and tall people and the seats are very comfortable. Amenities are on-par for the class. Its much more stylish compared to Buicks of the past and you can tell their trying to capture the attention of younger generations, not just the 55+ crowd (no offense). I do mostly highway driving and combined mileage is about 24 mpg - not great but not terrible for a V6. Acceleration is good.