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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  Michelle Is ahead of service department - 2007 Buick LaCrosse
  By brianmbi1 - February 3 - 5:59 am

  Overall the car has had a lot of problems. The transmission had to be replaced at 28,000. Clear coat came off the doors, and had to be re-painted. The weather seal around the front doors leaked in a rain storm or in the car wash. Car went back to the shop last night for idling rough and probably the CV shafts are going to need to be replaced. Im not happy with this car at all--One problem after another for the last 30,000 miles.

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  Love it so far - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By mario - February 2 - 9:30 pm

  Ive only had the car for a few days, but so far it is everything I had hoped. It is a great driver experience - the cabin/dash is well laid out and very comfortable. Ride is smooth and quite. Engine has the kick I need. It is a softer ride (but not as soft as the riding-on-a-cloud buicks of past), which may not be for some. The mileage isnt great so far (low 20s after a highway trip), but what I expected. Overall though, I am very happy with it.

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  Great looking car with some minor issues - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Scott Smith - February 1 - 9:52 pm

  Instead of commenting on the beautiful looks and amazing ride, I will list some negatives: - Blind spot on the left and right side of the front windshield. - Gas pedal literally up against the right side floor wall. Its impossible to step on the pedal without foot scraping up against that carpeted wall. - Power outlet INSIDE the center armrest console means you cant use a GPS device AND have the center console closed unless you want to squish the charger cable. - Almost NO storage space. - No auto windshield wiper shutoff. If you forget to turn them off when you shut car off, they stop where they are at that moment. A $30k car should have this. Each of my previous three cars did.

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  Smooth Ride, Fun to Drive - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tom Mc - February 1 - 4:03 pm

  ULTA MODEL (AWD) - In 40 years of driving, this vehicle is my best driving experience that combines power and smoothness. The VVT 3.6 aluminum engine has plenty of torque (available at low revs) and gets you out of any highway situation immediately. It provides smooth power that comes on without any jerking into a passing gear. About 7 times a year it is driven to a destination 5 hours away and because of comfort, I am able to drive back the same day! Around town, I find myself driving easier and a bit slower, mainly because the experience is so enjoyable. However, if there is a need to peel around a corner, the torque and AWD allow you to have almost sportscar-like fun - great ride!

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  Wow is this car Quiet! - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By Motor Head - January 30 - 9:05 pm

  After three months and 5000 miles our white diamond 2010 LaCrosse CSX has been flawless. We average 24 - 25 mpg in mixed winter driving. Optioned with the sunroof & nav system with rear view camera. The 3.6L engine has plenty of pep while very smooth and quiet. In this cold winter weather we love the remote start, heated seats & steering wheel. The interior is luxurious and the seats are very comfortable. Rear visibility is poor, but not a problem with the camera and ultrasonic parking assist. The front roof pillars are somewhat wide and placed more forward and do sometimes obstruct my view when turning. Bottom line - there is alot to like about this car. I would definitely buy it again.

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  Tried and True - 1999 Buick Regal
  By Ryan - January 28 - 11:17 am

  I think this car has proven to be one of the best cars of the past decade. There are some things I wish had been designed differently but all in all, this car has been a gem. I have about 145K miles on it, and have had a repair or two. This is my third Buick and wont be my last.

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  08 Enclave - 2008 Buick Enclave
  By sojac - January 27 - 1:36 pm

  Very comfortable ride on hwy. Love the 2nd row bucket seats for adults or our two car seats. Gives acces to third row w/o taking out a car seat. Great storage space, great sound system. Still gets lots of looks at stop lights. Use of the manual shift option gives much better performance. 10,000 + miles and no problems.

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  An ok car - 2004 Buick LeSabre
  By DMCnTN - January 27 - 11:30 am

  Bought in fall of 2008 at car lot that deals in high mileage vehicles that look ok. Had 106000 intially. Ive added about 15000. Gas mileage on interstate = 31 mpg. good power. comfortable for trip. Negatives are AC sometimes blow hot air on driver side and cold air on passenger. Also, hard shift every few days (1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd). Guesstimate from dealer on repairing both problems = 900 bucks. Two front chrome mag wheels leak air around the rim unless you get tire store to sand and goop up the rim. Overall car is good transportation given that I gave $5100 for a 4 year old car. Our 2 Hondas have been much more trouble free (everything works right)over 300k miles on those 2 together.

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  BEST ENTRY LUXURY CAR - 2010 Buick LaCrosse
  By dgd - January 26 - 4:38 pm

  Purchased this car to replace my 2007 Tahoe. Of course it has better mileage but it is ina league of its own. This vehicle drives smooth yet sporty and has every feature imaginable. The great styling makes the Lexus look more like a (old)buick. This car is my favorite of over ten different vehicles owned

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  Im Amazed at all the good reviews - 2003 Buick Century
  By Steve - January 25 - 10:32 pm

  My Buick Century has issues that no automobile should have at 80,000 miles. Driver side automatic window does not work. The dash lights do not work (this is not a fuse issue). The tail lights do not work (again - not a fuse). Whole assemblies will need to be purchased for both of the previous problems. The trunks hinges are no longer holding up the trunk lid when opened. Both knobs for climate control broke (the part that slides over the stem simply disintegrated). And whats with these folks who have up to 38mpg gas mileage? I have never had more than 27mpg Highway and 21mpg city. This is a prime example to why GM went bankrupt. I will never buy a domestic made car again.