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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  Classy convertible - 2016 Buick Cascada
  By SydC - May 1 - 7:57 am

  Had the Cascada for a month now and it is a joy to drive. It has a classy design and great leather interior that is extremely well designed. We recently went on first road trip of 1100 miles and it was great. We encountered strong winds in New Mexico and the Cascada went straight as an arrow while other vehicles were all over the place. We held the speed at 80 MPH and got 26 MPG which is actually pretty good considering all the headwinds. Cascada allows the user to get extra room in the truck if the top is up by merely pressing forward the device that holds the top in the trunk. We had lots of room for a very large suitcase and three other carry on type bags(also could easily hold a set of golf clubs in this mode). The sound systems is top of the class and can be easily heard because the road noise is kept at a minimum on the Cascada(yes even at 80 MPH).

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  Buick Rivera - 1999 Buick Riviera
  By |Doris - April 26 - 9:42 pm

  I had a 1998 Buick Rivera for 7 years, until last week when it was totaled in a car accident. Well |I just had to have another one. We looked for a week until my husband found me a 1999 like brand new. This car is great, I dont know why GM stopped making it.

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  Dependability plus - 1997 Buick Century
  By Bignorm - April 25 - 8:18 am

  Owned this car for 10 years and still looks and drives great. Had to replace intake gasket and ABS module, $1,000 repairs a couple of years ago. Put on aftermarket wheels 6 yrs ago and Reggata II tires. Just had the car detailed. The cloth seats had picked up a couple cups of coffee. I had the seats pulled for thorough cleaning, pulled the carpet and cleaned, tefloned the outside. I like the good seating and do not like leather. The car looks and runs like new, looking to run it at least 2 more years. Consistant 20mpg back and forth to work in city traffic.

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  I love it - 1999 Buick LeSabre
  By SM - April 21 - 1:07 pm

  Great car. Needs nothing except for the usual tune-up, oil change, etc. Fun to drive. Surprisingly powerful. Great fuel economy 29mpg hwy. A little too comfortable. Roomy. It is very low profile .

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  Ds Review - 2006 Buick Rendezvous
  By Dennis - April 20 - 9:32 pm

  Wifes car and she loves it. Very reliable and fun to drive. Fuel economy is in the 20s. Dash layout is very pleasing and easy to use. She drives 60 miles a day to work and back wich gives her a good feeling as to the ride and dependabilty of the auto.

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  American style and quality - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By AMERICAN - April 19 - 9:43 am

  The Buick LaCrosse is a great driving car. No other vehicle can match the quality and feel of the vehicle for the price. Its the most quiet car I have ever had. Im 35 and think its a car with style and its American.

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  Best car I have ever driven - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By Melvin Law - April 17 - 7:27 pm

  I would be afraid to buy a well maintained Buick like this even if its 12 years old.

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  Just Picked It Up - 1994 Buick LeSabre
  By Just Gettin By - April 16 - 9:06 pm

  Hey, I just picked up the 94 Buick and Im very impressed. I drove around the vehicle with two automotive engineers. They were shocked at how well the vehicle ride quality was and how quite it was. Overall, there were no noticable NVH issues and the fuel economy appears to be above expectations. The only complaint is the poor design of the center consel cup holder

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  Car For The Ages - 1991 Buick Roadmaster
  By Willie - April 13 - 10:56 am

  This was actually purchased new by my grandfather, but Ive kept it for sentimental reasons. It is a dream to drive as you never feel the pavement. Acceleration is unbelievable with an LT1 derivative V8. Steering is soft with no feeling of the road, but that is expected with such a large car. If you need trunk space, there is ample room. Reliability has been very good, the drivetrain is as tight as it was new, and it has 130,000 miles on it! If you enjoy large cars, this is the last large Buick ever made and it does not disappoint. You need to show these some TLC, but if you do, people will notice this car on the road. PS, this is a review of the 4dr Sedan.

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  LaCrosse - Best automobile on the road - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By BIll Richardson - April 13 - 1:43 am

  I purchased this Buick LaCrosse in late January, I have just returned from a 3500 mile trip back to the east coast. Driving this car is like sitting in your easy chair at home and watching the world go by. The ease of handling this car is far in the future of most other cars. This is the best automobile I have purchased in 55 years. If you drive one you will buy it. I know I did.