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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  My Baby - 1992 Buick Riviera
  By George Kernaghan - March 27 - 11:32 pm

  This automobile is the best road machine Ive ever owned. It is the best built, easiest to maintain and gets the greatest fuel economy for its size, weight and creature features. With an 18 gal tank full of gas I once drove 408 miles from KC to south central Minn without stopping to full up. You cant beat it in the mountians or the plains. Buick needs to bring this type of quality vehicle back into production Again! When General Motors built this car they broke the mold and built the best. Minor cosmetics items are all the repairs Ive made to Baby and its hard to find parts now. Next month, Florida!

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  Luxury Cruiser - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By luxo - March 27 - 11:43 am

  What a quiet ride. When you start the engine, the growl is so calm, you have to check if its started. Love the pearly white. Also the bench seat where I stretch out and know Im not going to hit the shifter. The 3.8 liter engine is enough for me. The engine is so quiet, I caught myself on the freeway going 95 mph. Very comfortable

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  Elegant Auto - 2008 Buick Lucerne
  By Lynne - March 27 - 8:54 am

  I love this car. It has everything I need and is beautiful to drive and to look at. All the options are very useful and interior room and comfort are great too.

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  Fabulous -Park Avenue - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
  By Jean Sibery - March 26 - 5:06 am

  No bumps, noise or shimmys felt. Runs like a champ when you need to pick up speed and pass. Self adjusting seats are just what is needed as my husband and I share the car...no need to readjust mirrors on sides, it does that automatically too depnding on the driver.

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  Great Car for the money - 1999 Buick Park Avenue
  By Bill T. - March 23 - 11:36 am

  This is my third Park Avenue, and it is by far the best. It gets great gas mileage and handles well for its size. You do need premium fuel, however. Ive had few maintenance problems. I plan to trade the car for a new 2005 Park Avenue Ulrta because it has 77,400 miles on it, and GM is going to stop making the model. I love this car, and hope that the new one will be just as good and will serve me well for five years or more years as this Park Aveenue has done. Park Avenue Ultra is a great car, and Im sorry to see it go.

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  Love my Regal - 1991 Buick Regal
  By Edward Paxton - March 23 - 12:05 am

  Purchased Regal with 89,000 miles. Comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Silver paint is still in pristine condition and interior was well taken care of. I love the car with its full range of visibility all around and it has nice road feel. I hope to keep this car for years to come.

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  new car review - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By kenny - March 22 - 9:10 am

  the car is beautifull to look at and a reliable pleasure to drive, a good effort from GM to make an excellent American sedan.

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  New car review - 2005 Buick LaCrosse
  By kenny - March 22 - 9:10 am

  The car is beautifull to look at and a reliable pleasure to drive. A good effort from GM to make an excellent American sedan.

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  Rendezvous scores! - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Josef - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Rdv is pretty cheap for its class.It can beat a mercedez.The name mercedez is only famous not the cars.I think rdv is top of its class.

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  2005 Buick Century Special Edition - 2005 Buick Century
  By George from KC. - March 17 - 3:05 pm

  This car has been an excellent performing car. The Special Edition Package sets it off. The leather interior, dual automatic temperature controls, and chrome wheels are great and generally found only in more expensive automobiles. Never a reliability problem. Mileage runs 23- 25 city and 30-32 highway. May not do quite that well with an ethanol mix, but still close.