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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  Love it! - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Jennifer - February 4 - 11:46 am

  I have been reading about this model for over a year. I was so happy to find a 2005 w/only 1 owner. It also had low miles and looked brand new! Now lets talk about the ride. Love it! It handles well and it is heavy for a short SUV and I feel safe in it.

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  My 2005 Buick Rainier 5.3L V8 - 2005 Buick Rainier
  By Joshua Zion - February 1 - 5:59 am

  My Rainier is Gave Me The Driving Experience Of A Life Time. I Love My Buick The V8 Lets Me Show Off To My Best Friend And It Is So Quiet I Love The QuietTuning Buick Ive Only Had to replace the Catiliac Converter And The A\C and the Air Suspension

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  Great car - 2014 Buick Enclave
  By gary aron - January 30 - 11:29 pm

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  Luxury Car at a reasonable price - 2008 Buick LaCrosse
  By Kabe - January 30 - 12:02 pm

  At 1400 Miles so far I can honestly say I love my New Lacrosse. The LaCrosse CXL is very much a luxury car. Soft comfortable interior, very quiet on the road, lots of features, and a fantastic ride. Buick has firmed up the suspension from the LeSabres and it is a wonderful balance between good control and a smooth ride. No more floaty Buicks. I have had passengers comment that it rides as well as their much more expensive Audi. The 3.8L V6 provides ample pickup but is still quiet, and it should last a long time by reputation. It is a very enjoyable car to drive and well worth checking out. This car is not typical Buick of the past.

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  Great Car Overall - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
  By JAB1998 - January 30 - 2:06 am

  Flaws are similar to other reviews. Ash tray was replaced once @ $125, but next time it was super-glued closed! This car gets over 30 mpg on road trips & about 24-26 around town. It is comfortable to drive, large trunk & back seat allow for passengers on trips. Drivers seat (leather) is coming loose at seam between front & back, but overall the interior is holding up well. With close to 180,000 miles on this 12 yr old car, I cant complain about some wear & tear. This car is loaded with features. I love radio & cruise controls on steering wheel, 2 memory power seats, & my favorite is the temperature and compass on the rear view mirror! I am sad that they are not making this model anymore...

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  Life Saving but Fishtailing - 2006 Buick Lucerne
  By Elizabeth Clark - January 27 - 10:56 pm

  Safety features saved my life in avoiding a sideswipe, my car fishtailed. It wasnt easy to correct very slow steering feedback. My last correction may have worked, had the steering been more responsive. All safety features & OnStar worked in my wreck & helped me whenever driving. I hit a light pole & metal fence at 60 mph. Im bruised, sore, fractured collar bone but I walked away. Compared with other cars I owned, the Lucerne wasnt as agile in handling in tight situations. Quick steering feedback is a must, or you will over correct. The 06s slight pull right ~ at least sent me into a metal fence and pole, not an embankment of trees. I had stability control and did not flip.

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  The Best Used Car I Ever Bought - 2006 Buick LaCrosse
  By Deb - January 26 - 5:48 pm

  I purchased my Buick LaCrosse in Dec, 2007 and love it! I did however have a steering vibration and when I brought the car in for a steering lubrication (Covered under warranty) The car rides beautiful. No more vibration and a nice quite smooth ride. The dealership has been wonderful at making me comfortable in my LaCrosse. The front 2 tires were worn and they put new ones on. This is by far the most comfortable ride of any car I have owned. Great on gas to. I get about 28 miles per gallon on the highway, hitting any bump amazes me how well this car handles. The interior and exterior is perfect and lots and lots of compliments on it. Picks up very well and handles corners very well.

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  A Good Riding RDV - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By fontella - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a good performance SUV for first time buyer of SUVs. It has a good feel to it and can make women feel at ease about riding in a SUV. The entry into this SUV is low enough for women to climb in and out of it without feeling like we are climbing onto a horse. I just love my new Buick SUV.

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  Delivers whats promised - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By SunnyFlorida - January 26 - 10:00 am

  We are very happy with our RDV. Yes, it could use more power - however, a bigger engine would put the RDV right with the other gas guzzlers. Get 22.5 average - 26.5 on the highway. Use the cruise control - and use slow starts - when possible. City traffic will greatly decrease milage. Can remove all seats to haul large items easily when seats removed. If you are like me and dont haul stuff often, removing seats is minor consideration. Skip AWD unless you live in severe snowy conditions - gas milage will suffer. A very environmentally friendly, spacious and comfortable vehicle. Vehicles such as this will reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

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  Stans Report - 1997 Buick Century
  By Stan - January 24 - 8:39 pm

  This car has been very reliable, and very economical to operate. I now have 62284 original miles on it. I buy new ones when I reach 60000....This car delivers 35, yes 35 miles per gallon on the highway--really hard for me to believe also. It is in pristine condition. A good wash job is all that is needed to put her back on the showroom floor. The ride is very smooth, as it must be that special something Buick has done with its suspension.