États-Unis
Buick
Buick is one of the oldest American automotive brands still in operation. It traces its origins to the Scottish-born inventor David Dunbar Buick, who arrived in Detroit as a child and first made his mark in plumbing (a process for enameling cast iron for bathtubs and sinks). He founded the Buick Motor Company, formally established in 1903 in Michigan, after contributing to the development of the overhead-valve engine ("Valve-in-Head"), which was more powerful than the side-valve engines of the era. The brand grew rapidly thanks to William C. Durant, who became its general manager and principal investor. In 1908, Buick served as the cornerstone for the creation of General Motors, of which it remains a division to this day. David Buick himself left the company as early as 1906 and would scarcely benefit from its success. Throughout the 20th century, Buick established itself as an affordable premium brand, positioned above Chevrolet but below Cadillac in the GM hierarchy. Iconic models such as the Roadmaster, the LeSabre, the Electra, the Riviera and the Park Avenue marked the history of the large, comfortable American sedan, often associated with an older and loyal clientele. From the 2000s onward, Buick streamlined its lineup and began a shift toward crossovers (SUVs). One notable particularity: the brand enjoys considerable success in China, where it has become a major volume seller for GM, which has influenced its product direction. In North America, Buick has gradually transformed into a brand focused almost exclusively on SUVs, abandoning sedans. The current lineup is built around the Envista, Encore GX, Envision and Enclave, and the brand has revived the Electra name for its future electrified vehicles, with GM having announced a full electrification of Buick by 2030.
ActiveLuxePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitairePopulairesAméricaines
History
History of Buick
Buick is one of the oldest American automotive brands still in operation. It traces its origins to the Scottish-born inventor David Dunbar Buick, who arrived in Detroit as a child and first made his mark in plumbing (a process for enameling cast iron for bathtubs and sinks). He founded the Buick Motor Company, formally established in 1903 in Michigan, after contributing to the development of the overhead-valve engine ("Valve-in-Head"), which was more powerful than the side-valve engines of the era. The brand grew rapidly thanks to William C. Durant, who became its general manager and principal investor. In 1908, Buick served as the cornerstone for the creation of General Motors, of which it remains a division to this day. David Buick himself left the company as early as 1906 and would scarcely benefit from its success. Throughout the 20th century, Buick established itself as an affordable premium brand, positioned above Chevrolet but below Cadillac in the GM hierarchy. Iconic models such as the Roadmaster, the LeSabre, the Electra, the Riviera and the Park Avenue marked the history of the large, comfortable American sedan, often associated with an older and loyal clientele. From the 2000s onward, Buick streamlined its lineup and began a shift toward crossovers (SUVs). One notable particularity: the brand enjoys considerable success in China, where it has become a major volume seller for GM, which has influenced its product direction. In North America, Buick has gradually transformed into a brand focused almost exclusively on SUVs, abandoning sedans. The current lineup is built around the Envista, Encore GX, Envision and Enclave, and the brand has revived the Electra name for its future electrified vehicles, with GM having announced a full electrification of Buick by 2030.
Public founding or origin of Buick.
Electra: launch or first listed period.
Enclave: launch or first listed period.
LeSabre: launch or first listed period.
Roadmaster: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Buick relies on the technologies of the General Motors group. The current internal-combustion models favor small-displacement turbocharged engines (for example 1.2L and 1.5L turbo on the most compact models, 2.0L turbo and 2.5L turbo on the larger ones), paired with 8- or 9-speed automatic transmissions, in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on the version. The brand emphasizes comfort and refinement with its QuietTuning sound-insulation technology and active noise cancellation. On the driver-assistance side, the Super Cruise hands-free assist is offered on certain models for compatible roads. For electrification, Buick is reviving the Electra name and leveraging GM's Ultium battery platform; the Electra E5, designed and produced by the SAIC-GM joint venture in China, illustrates this strategy. The cabins feature large screens and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Electra E5 is built on GM's Ultium battery platform, with single- or dual-motor configurations (front-wheel or all-wheel drive), output of roughly 240 to 340 horsepower depending on the version, and batteries of varying capacities (LFP and NMC) offering a range of several hundred kilometers. The 2025 generation drops the V6 in favor of a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine of about 328 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Super Cruise hands-free driving assist is offered, along with QuietTuning sound insulation and active noise cancellation. Over the generations, the LeSabre evolved from a large V8 (364 cu in originally) to GM's well-regarded 3.8-liter V6, which became standard starting with the front-wheel-drive models. The last generation (2000-2005) offered this V6 of about 205 horsepower with an automatic transmission. The final Roadmaster (1991-1996) was powered by Chevrolet small-block V8s: first a 5.0L, then a 5.7L, and from 1994 a version of the 5.7L LT1 engine with sequential fuel injection producing 260 horsepower, with rear-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A North American General Motors brand offering comfortable and refined SUVs, positioned between mainstream and luxury.
Reputation
Buick today enjoys a solid reputation for reliability. In the J.D. Power 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study, the brand ranks at the top of the mass-market segment with 143 problems per 100 vehicles, well below the industry average (202), ahead of most mainstream automakers. It had already ranked well in previous years. Buick is perceived as a comfortable, quiet and accessible brand, offering a certain refinement without the price of a luxury brand. It is sometimes criticized for an aging image and a lack of sportiness. Resale value is generally average, held back by the depreciation typical of affordable North American brands.
Strengths
Buick combines comfort, quiet ride and careful finish at a price lower than that of established luxury brands. Its reliability, confirmed by recent J.D. Power rankings, is a major asset. The lineup, simplified and entirely SUV-focused in North America, offers practical vehicles well equipped with driver-assistance technologies, including Super Cruise on certain versions. The backing of General Motors guarantees a vast dealer network.
Points to watch
Buick suffers from an image perceived as aging and not very aspirational among younger buyers. The brand offers no sporty flavor, and its differentiation from Chevrolet or GMC sometimes remains thin. Resale value remains average. North American electrification lags somewhat behind, relying on models designed for China. The complete abandonment of sedans reduces the choice for buyers who are reluctant to adopt SUVs.
Models
Buick models
Current or active models by market
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
As a division of General Motors, Buick's vehicles are produced within GM's network of plants. In North America, the Enclave (mid-size SUV) is assembled at the Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan, on the same platform as the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. Historically, Flint, Michigan, was the brand's industrial birthplace. Several of the more compact models in the North American lineup (notably the Envista and Encore GX) are imported, coming from GM plants located outside North America, including South Korea. The future Electra E5 electric vehicle is produced in China by the SAIC-GM joint venture. The exact distribution of production varies by model and year.
Tires and wheels
Since the current Buick lineup is made up of crossovers, common wheel diameters generally range from about 17 to 20 inches depending on the model and trim (the Avenir and higher-end versions often fitting larger wheels). Like most North American GM platforms, the common bolt pattern is a 5-lug type. In Quebec, purchasing a second set of dedicated winter tires is essential and mandatory during the regulated period; a winter setup on smaller-diameter steel wheels is often economical and more tolerant of salt and snow. For exact dimensions, refer to the vehicle's placard.