Are Buicks Good Cars?
Buick has been making cars for more than a century, but some models are better than others.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Known mainly for upscale SUVs and crossovers, Buick is a well-established brand that’s been making cars for over a century. But if you’re thinking about buying a new Buick, it’s a good idea to check out the ratings for the specific Buick you’re interested in—some models are highly rated, but others have lower scores.
While Buick has a long history—it’s one of the oldest automakers in North America, after all—modern Buicks are popular with car buyers for being a lower-cost alternative to luxury brands like Lexus or Mercedes Benz. They may not quite stack up to those more expensive automakers, but they do come close. With high reliability and safety ratings, buying a Buick is a great way to experience driving a luxury SUV without breaking the bank.
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Are Buicks good cars?
David Buick founded the Buick Motor Company in 1899 and released its first car—the Model B—in 1904. Buick was a pioneer in its early days, and was the first brand to release a car with four-wheel brakes in the 1920s. It was also among the first carmakers to offer vehicles with power brakes and steering in the 1950s and 60s. Buick solidified its popularity by the 1980s, with models like the Regal Grand National and the GNX earning a reputation as the fastest American-made cars.
In more recent years however, Buick has moved away from its signature blocky, sporty, full-size sedans to produce high-end SUVs and crossovers. Here's how Buick’s 2022 models stack up with leading automotive press sources Edmunds and Car and Driver:
Model | Starting price | Vehicle type | Edmunds.com rating | Car and Driver rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Encore | $25,595 | Subcompact crossover | 7.9/10 | 6.5/10 |
Envision | $32,645 | Compact crossover | 7.4/10 | 6.5/10 |
Enclave | $43,895 | SUV | 7.8/10 | 5.5/10 |
Did you know? Buick’s triple-shield emblem is based on the Buick family’s Scottish coat of arms.
Are Buicks reliable?
According to the 2022 Consumer Reports rankings, Buick is above average in terms of reliability, coming in at #11 out of 32 car brands and earning an overall score of 72/100. Buick is less reliable than Japanese automakers like Toyota and Mazda—but it was the highest-scoring U.S. brand, making it more reliable than brands like Ford or Chevrolet.
Buick also came in second in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. This means that Buick owners experience fewer problems during the first three years of car ownership compared to other brands.
MORE:
How long do Buicks last?
Are Buicks safe?
Buick earned high safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2021. The
Buick Enclave
was even named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, one of their highest rankings. Here’s a rundown of Buick’s safety ratings and recalls in 2021:Model | NHTSA rating | IIHS rating | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
Encore | 5 out of 5 | Good (moderate headlights) | 0 |
Envision | 5 out of 5 | Good (moderate child seat anchors) | 1 |
Enclave | 5 out of 5 | Good | 2 |
Not only do Buick models perform well on safety evaluations and crash tests, Buick Driver Confidence—a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies—is available on most models. Buick Driver Confidence includes:
- Forward collision alerts, which warn you if you’re at risk of collision with another car or a pedestrian, and automatically apply the brakes when necessary.
- Lane-keeping assist, which can briefly take control of steering to ensure you don’t drift out of your lane.
- Following distance indicator that measures the gap between your car and the one in front of you, and helps you decide if you’re following too closely.
- Sensors that automatically turn your high beams on or off based on traffic conditions.
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Are Buicks expensive to maintain?
According to RepairPal.com, Buick drivers spend about $608 a year on repairs. The average annual cost for car repairs is $652, so
Buick maintenance costs
can be considered slightly below average.The Buick Enclave has caused drivers some trouble, however, earning 610 complaints on CarComplaints.com. The modern Enclave is generally very reliable, but the 2008 version had some major transmission problems that created a lot of hassle for their owners.
Pro Tip Reduce your yearly repair costs by following the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.
Are Buicks good on gas?
Buicks aren’t the most eco-friendly cars, since none of the SUVs and crossovers in the 2022 lineup offer a hybrid or electric option—but they get average fuel efficiency for their size. This means that you won’t spend significantly more on gas with a Buick than you would with any other non-electric SUV or crossover. Here’s how the Environmental Protection Agency rated 2021 Buick models:
Model | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
Encore | 24 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg |
Envision | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg |
Enclave | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg |
The
Buick Encore
is the most fuel-efficient model now, but an electric or hybrid Buick might be available in the future. Buick is currently developing an all-electric concept car with a goal of driving over 400 miles on a single charge.Are Buicks fun to drive?
If you define fun as a posh-looking interior, cushy seats, luxury features, and an affordable price tag—any of the 2022 Buick models fit the bill. But if you want power too, then you should check out the
Buick Enclave
. This stylish SUV comes with a 310-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine that can do 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. It’s not going to win any speed contests, but that’s still pretty fast for a crossover SUV.What’s the best Buick?
Choosing the Buick that’s right for you depends on your budget, and your personal preference for things like cargo space, interior features, seating capacity, and more. But the Buick model that was rated highest by both Car and Driver and Edmunds.com is the Buick Encore. Here are a few reasons why the Encore stands out:
- Active noise cancellation offers a quiet ride, with very little road noise.
- It’s one of the smallest crossovers on the market, so it’s easy to maneuver and park.
- A stylish body design means it looks as good as some luxury brands.
- The Encore is the most affordable 2022 Buick, starting at just $25,595.
MORE:
Car loan for Buick 2022
How to find affordable Buick insurance
The average annual cost of
car insurance
for Buick drivers is $1,623—but your exact price can change depending on your driving record, your car’s age, how many miles it has, and more. The best way to make sure you’re getting the lowest possible rate is by shopping with Jerry
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Is Toyota better than Buick?
In most cases, Toyota beats Buick in reliability ratings—but Buick took second place in the 2022
J.D. Power
U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, while Toyota only came in fifth.Do Buick cars last long?
In general, Buick cars offer above average reliability and can easily last for
200,000 miles
with proper care and maintenance.Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
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