2024 Buick Envista ST Review: Not Quite Luxury, But That’s Okay.

Buick has long been one of those brands that confuses me. It’s a brand without an identity, with a product strategy best defined as “throw something at the wall and see what sticks.” And sure, Buick has some absolute bangers in its portfolio—especially the GSX, GNX and my personal favorite, the Regal TourX—but these are notable because they simply focused on being awesome rather than conform to brand norms. Throughout my lifetime, Buick has been positioned as a near-luxury brand. An intermediate step between Chevy and Cadillac. But in my personal experience, Buick never quite managed to hit that mark. …

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2025 Buick Enclave Makes Big Bet On Technology, Gets New Styling Too

The Buick Enclave was a visual reminder of the neglect that the Buick brand as a whole experienced over the past few years. However, GM is once again giving Buick the attention it rightfully deserves. The Buick Envista is a potent reminder of this in action for budget buyers and flagship Buick buyers now get a piece of the action too with the 2025 Buick Enclave.   Exterior Styling Takes Some Getting Used To The exterior styling of the 2025 Enclave is more squared off than before with the odd-looking headlights being replaced by a front end that adopts cues …

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Road Test Review – 2024 Buick Encore GX Avenir – GX Packs Impressive Luxury, Stumbles on Style

Buick’s gamble on SUVs is paying off with the brand reporting record sales and demand for its lineup of utilities. That includes the Buick Encore GX which not only got revamped for the 2024 model year but also newly promoted up a rung in the model ladder with the release of the entry-level focused (albeit very stylish) Buick Envista. But does the 2024 Buick Encore GX Avenir wear its new clothes well enough to still stand out? or are there a few rough edges remaining in the final product?   Wildcat Cues Don’t Translate Well Before we dive into many …

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2024 Buick Envision Debuts New Infotainment System and Styling

When we last saw the 2024 Buick Envision, it was in a lone image that the company released back in March of 2023. A long time has passed since then and Buick is now finally ready to fully reveal the 2024 Buick Envision which brings new styling and technology to buyers looking to envision themselves in a Buick SUV for their next purchase.   2024 Buick Envision Has Wildcat In Its Genes The biggest change that buyers will see when they look at the 2024 model is that the front fascia gets replaced with a new one that gets alot …

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Buick Debuts New Brand Slogan, Also Shows Gold Colored Wildcat Concept

The Buick Wildcat has always been the perfect tease for Buick owners and enthusiasts. The sleek coupe is sadly still not for sale but it’s a nice throwback to a time when design and traditional car entries defined the brand. Buick wants to make sure that buyers don’t forget about that history and has debuted a new slogan and a new flavor of the Wildcat concept in a new video.   Good as Gold Color Sharpens Buick Wildcat Buick’s video didn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary with the video focusing on being a montage of Buick’s greatest hits including …

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Half Of GM’s Buick Dealerships Take Buyout Over Electrification, What Does It All Mean?

General Motors is embarking on a push to expand its electrification strategy with Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC already offering buyers production EV models for sale. However, Buick has been the lone exception with the brand still offering a gasoline-powered only lineup while also revealing very little to the world (and Buick buyers) about its long-term electrification plans in the U.S. We pressed GM CEO Mary Barra on this topic a short while back and while she chose to not formally address our questions directly, a related GM buyout program appears to indicate that not all of its franchised dealerships are …

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Is Buick Lost In GM’s EV Masterplan? Comments By GM CEO Mary Barra Paint Mixed Canvas

General Motors is currently moving full speed in its plans to achieve an all-EV future with the company rolling out a growing pool of electric vehicles for Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and the newly revived and rebooted Hummer sub-brand. However, one brand that has been absent from the discussion recently is Buick, with its electrification plans still shrouded in mystery. Has Buick become lost in the proverbial shuffle? Recent comments at an Automotive Press Association (APA) event by GM CEO Mary Barra suggest that while the company still has plans for the brand, the future continues to be very uncertain.   …

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Buick Previews 2024 Buick Envision, New Styling and Super Cruise Tech Spearhead Changes

The Buick Envision is due for an update, but Buick is showing that it’s not content with resting on its laurels, with the luxury brand releasing a lone preview image of the 2024 Buick Envision, which will vault the model into a new direction both in design and technology.   New Envision Styling Features Wildcat Cues While the smaller Buick Envista and Encore GX models beat the Envision to the punch when it came to borrowing cues from the elegant Wildcat concept, the Envision will be the largest Buick SUV yet to get styling cues from that concept. Unlike the …

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2024 Buick Envista Storms Onto U.S. Shores, Will Bring Style And Boldness Back To Buick Showrooms

When the world last saw the 2024 Buick Envista, it was in the Chinese market, with Buick neither confirming nor denying that it would be available in the U.S. Fast forward to today, and Buick is confirming that not only is the Envista finally ready for the U.S. market, but that it will also perhaps be the boldest Buick offering we have seen in a long time.   Wildcat DNA Makes Envista SUV Purr While we are still disappointed that the Wildcat concept is not entering production in its current form (we’ll buy a coupe Buick we promise,) it’s refreshing …

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2024 Buick Encore Refresh Adds New Front Fascia, Channels Inner Wildcat DNA

When Buick unveiled the sleek Buick Wildcat concept, it was out to show the world that the brand still had design pedigree left in its iconic blood. While this might be hard to see with the brand’s current lineup of SUVs, the situation is now beginning to change, with Buick taking the wraps off of the 2024 Buick Encore GX, which aims to shake up Buick’s sales fortunes.   Wild Cat Front End Adds Sport To Encore GX When taken at the sum of its parts, the 2024 Encore GX is not a radical ground-up reboot but a long overdue …

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Buick Nabs Top Spot In J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, Previous Winner Ram Falls 17 Spots

The J.D Power Initial Quality Study has emerged as a very important barometer of quality in the automotive industry and has become a potent bragging point for automakers lucky enough to win first place in the study. This year’s winner is Buick who dethroned Ram for the number one spot in this year’s study.   Buick’s Win Comes Amid Increasing Problems Overall Buick’s appearance in the top spot came as the study revealed that there was an 11 percent increase in the problems industry-wide per 100 vehicles. It’s important to note that in this study, a lower score often reflects …

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Buick Teases EV Crossover, Finally Joins Ultium Parade

GM’s revolutionary Ultium EV technology is shaping up to be a potent green-inspired powerhouse for the brand’s sales. However, while GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and even the revived Hummer sub-brand have all gotten in on the act, a notable absence has been GM’s entry-level luxury brand Buick with the tri-shield brigade not mentioning anything about their EV offerings. Buick is changing that narrative though and released a teaser to help celebrate GM’s recent pair of Super Bowl ads while also potentially reviving the Electra nameplate.   Buick Promising Design Focused Offering With Electra We’re fans of all @GM EVs, but this …

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Road Test Review – 2021 Buick Envision Avenir – Envisioning Higher Sales For Buick

In a segment where Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are the undisputed kings of the segment, the 2021 Buick Envision Avenir lies in a very interesting place in the pecking order. On the one hand, it’s expected to compete with these makes, but at the same time, it also has to appeal to a wider pool of mainstream luxury SUV buyers. That’s an unenviable position for any model, but Buick is confident that it can maximize Envision’s potential with buyers. The first generation model scratched the surface, but it lacked some of the precision needed to make the Envision a proper …

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2021 Buick Envision Review

2021 Buick Envision The 2021 Buick Envision was redesigned for 2021, and with Buick’s attempts to appeal to younger buyers, the Envision has a much more captivating design than the outgoing model. Exterior The Envision is the best-looking GM vehicle in this class. As far as exterior design goes Chevy’s Equinox utilitarian, GMC’s Terrain is boxy, and Cadillac’s XT4 is conservative. This leaves the sporty spot for the Envision. The nose is long and low with multiple creases in the hood creating a sporty and powerful look. The grill is large, but not overly so, with plenty of cooling for …

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2022 Buick Enclave Brings New Styling, Enhanced Standard Equipment To Buyers

When we last met the 2022 Buick Enclave, it was back in January when the brand slipped two photos of it to the assembled press during a broader event starring the smaller Buick Envision. The duet of pictures highlighted revamped exterior styling but did little to answer our questions surrounding the new interior. Nevertheless, Buick has lifted the veil of secrecy and has shed new light on what consumers can expect from Buick’s rebooted flagship.   Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder One of the most significant changes that the Enclave received for 2022 is all-new exterior styling. …

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Buick Officially Launches 2021 Buick Envision, Will Launch Ad Campaign This Spring

The 2021 Buick Envision first made its appearance back in 2020 and while the brand was willing to share some information about the model, we were still left in the dark on some of the more detailed aspects that made this iteration of Envision stand out from its predecessors. Buick has ended this drought of information and has officially launched the 2021 Envision with the model trickling its way into dealer showrooms now. Revamped Styling Pumps Vigor Into Envision When the Buick Envision first appeared it was often described as a model that looked handsome but lacked the visual spark …

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Buick Provides First Glimpse Of 2022 Enclave, Promises To Bring More Of Everything To Buyers

The Buick Enclave has been a key player in Buick’s ongoing quest towards reinventing itself as an all SUV and CUV brand. But while its large size and luxury focused features are still potent selling points for the model, it’s no secret that the current generation is due for an update. Buick has delivered with a preview of the 2022 Buick Enclave which brings new styling and Envision infused elegance into its repertoire.   New Styling Promises To Be Much More Dynamic When we last reviewed the Buick Enclave, we commented on how it needed to upgrade its exterior styling …

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A compelling tease of Buick performance that never materialized, we take a look at the Buick Avista Concept

Buick may have resigned itself to being a luxury brand that’s focusing on CUVs and SUVS these days, but it wasn’t too long ago that the brand was reigniting the flame of performance which once burned brightly during the 1980s with the Regal Grand National and its wild limited production cousin the GNX. The revived Regal GS and even the Cascada convertible and Verano Premium Group (aka the Verano Turbo) were telltale signs that perhaps performance engineering would be able to co-exist with luxury. Things escalated in 2016 when Buick unveiled the Avista concept which was supposed to be a …

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Road Test Review – 2020 Buick Enclave Avenir – By Carl Malek

Buick is in a very interesting state of flux. Once known for having a vibrant car lineup, the brand is in the middle of a rapid transformation into a CUV and SUV focused brand. While new entries like the Encore GX and the refreshed Envision are helping Buick explore new niches in the utility segment, ultimately, the weight of the brand’s sales success rests with the Buick Enclave. This full-size hauler has the size and the luxury needed to be the perfect family truckster, with the model being a sales force for Buick since it first made its appearance back …

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2020 Buick Enclave ST – Road Test Review + Drive Video

The new-for-2020 Enclave ST looks amazing!  It is shocking how much the body-color grille edge and new gloss-black inner mesh changes the look of this jumbo crossover. Nowhere near as shocking as the resounding praise you’re about the read, though!  Believe me, this car will make anyone who drives or rides inside into a Buick fan. This coming from the kid who truly believed the 1990s Skylark was the most hideous vehicle ever made, and had disgusted reactions to every element of LeSabre and Century. This is a new era though, and this Buick is the best ever. ST stands …

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Road Test Review – 2019 Buick Regal TourX Essence – By Carl Malek

When Buick first unveiled the revamped Buick Regal a few years ago, the liftback’s lines reflected the current styling trends embraced by some of its European competitors, while also cementing its quest to bring the Regal even more upmarket. Imagine our surprise when Buick also revealed the all new TourX wagon after a several decade absence from the segment. The TourX is far different from the lumbering Caprice based Roadmaster Estate that defined Buick’s prior attempt at the station wagon, and the TourX aims to trade bulk and pillow-esque isolation for a more involved driving experience that still aims to …

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2019 Buick Enclave Premium FWD – Review by Ben Lewis

We recently tested the Buick Regal TourX and concluded that it’s a sweet sport wagon – and not the big and friendly family Roadmaster wagon of day’s past. What if a big comfy wagon is what you’re looking for? As we like to say, step right this way, to the 2019 Buick Enclave. While the wagon market is rapidly shrinking, the crossover segment is going like gangbusters. And for the family with places to go, the three-row Buick is a great way to get there. Sleek 7-seater If you’re hoping for slabs of plasticized pine, you’ll be disappointed here. On …

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2019 Buick Regal TourX Essence AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

Tonight, the as I drive the streets of Gotham, the city is safe. I glide silently by, constantly aware, constantly on the watch. I am Batman Ok, maybe I’m not the Caped Crusader, but when I first saw my Buick Regal TourX, dressed in its Ebony Twilight Metallic, I thought “Batmobile”. Which brought up a great discussion – while we all have our favorite actor, from Adam West to Ben Affleck, there seems to be a mutual agreement – the Batmobile has always been cool. Purists, I apologize, we’re talking only TV and movies here. It’s the Buick that makes …

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2018 Buick Regal GS – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

We’ve been really impressed by Buick lately. Both the Enclave and Encore crossover/suv’s impressed us, and the word has been getting out – Buick is selling well, and appealing to a new, younger, audience. But the Buick Regal may be the biggest surprise of all. Yes, the Regal. You probably know the name – it started way back in 1973. Along the way it has soldiered on, some models better than others. One of the high points was the Regal Grand National, with a turbo engine that caught the imagination of enthusiasts and brought back some of the luxury/performance sparkle …

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Buick Reveals 2019 Regal Avenir

Buick’s Regal lineup is shaping up to be an all round offering for buyers, and it has seen impressive growth since the original Sportback and TourX wagon made their respective debuts. Looking to further hone its identity, Buick has revealed that the Regal is next in line to receive the Avenir trim in a move to solidify its aim against rivals from Audi, BMW and Lexus, and boost sales in the wake of increased CUV demand. Making its debut on the Enclave, and more recently the Lacrosse sedan, the Avenir package brings a whole suite of luxury equipment and finesse …

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2018 Buick Encore Premium FWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

We recently tested the new Buick Enclave, and found it to be an excellent blend of style, performance and luxury. What if you want all that, but something in a smaller package, perfect for running around the city as well as the open road? Well then, how about the Buick Encore?  Refreshed in 2017, the small SUV has proven to be exceptionally popular – it’s Buick best-selling model – and it shows how quickly the brand has moved from stodgy to hip and cool in a short time. Not the urban lumberjack, Jack. In the land of small SUV’s trying …

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2018 Buick ENCLAVE Premium AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

If you haven’t had a Buick Enclave SUV on your shopping list in the past few years, it’s understandable. The previous model has been in production since 2007. And while it’s always been a strong seller, with so many new players coming in every year, it’s got to be hard to attract new buyers. Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick? While that’s the tagline from Buick in the 60’s, with the all-new 2018 Enclave SUV, it’s a great question to ask – this is an excellent model for today’s SUV buyer. B is for Bigger With a 2-inch longer …

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2017 Kia Cadenza Limited – Marketplace Comparision – By Carl Malek

When we last met the 2017 Kia Cadenza Limited, it was on the roads of South Carolina in the hands of CRD chief editor Tom Burkart. You can check out his detailed review here, but we wanted to see how the Cadenza would fare in other environments, as well as against rivals in a segment that has taken a pummeling in recent years due to the resurgence of crossover vehicles. To find out, we took the Cadenza to the CRD Metro Detroit outpost to see if Michigan’s rough roads were enough to unsettle this spirited sedan, while also crunching the …

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2017 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring – Marketplace Comparison – By Carl Malek

When we last met the Mazda CX-3, we praised its ability to bring Mazda style fun and flair to a segment that is steadily getting more and more crowded with entries from various automakers. With the segment also booming in sales and overall demand, choosing the right CUV for your driveway can be the most important decision many growing families face. With that said, does the Mazda CX-3 still have what it takes to win a spot in your driveway? To find out we went behind the wheel of a second CX-3, and crunched the numbers to see how it …

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2016 OPEL Mokka X Previews Upcoming Buick Encore Refresh

  Fantastic updates for the Opel Mokka X are set for a Geneva debut next month, and they bode extremely well for its American twin, the Buick Encore! We really like the Encore. It’s punchy turbo engine delivers admirable thrust for the segment, while its very good Quiet-Tuned refinement is a huge step up from the Chevy Trax or Jeep Renegade. This refresh brings an all-new nose, LEDs front and rear, and a total redesign of the cabin tech. The center stack — long the Encore’s sore point — is fresh with a giant new touchscreen and streamlined climate/audio controls. …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Buick REGAL GS

  We want to love the Regal GS. Its looks are crisply European, as is its dashing corner grip and unflappable high-speed poise.  But remember the old Pirelli slogan “Power is nothing without Control” ? Well, the Regal GS inspires a flip in that phrase: Control is nothing without powerrrrr. Since writing up our first test impressions of the 2015 Regal GS with “Deeply Disappointing” in the headline, we have had more than ample chances to change our tune. An invite to a Buick Regal GS track day appeared out of thin air, and then a fresh 2016 model for …

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1987 Buick GNX by ASC McLaren – Detail Photo Flyaround Inside and Out

The GNX left a sweet mark on the brand and perhaps the car business in general.  It was the announcement of POWER and speed — rejoining mainstream car lines after more than a decade of downsizing, Cimmarons and K-cars. The heart and soul of the GNX is of course its McLaren-upgraded V6 engine. The 3.8-liter, intercooled turbo was a revolution at the time. Its output bested most V8s and its power delivery was the best part. Through the also-racier standard automatic transmission in the GNX, the giant lump of turbo torque made the most of its lag. Momentary boost-up for …

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2016 Buick Envision Driving Front

2016 Buick ENVISION Is New 5-Seat Crossover – Standard Turbo to Rival Audi Q5 – Arrives in April

The 2016 Buick Envision is a pretty huge part of an upcoming Buick product onslaught: the 2017 LaCrosse and Cascada cabrio are the other hotties new to the showroom floor. New to the brand ethos in general? A sexy expectation of future products like an AWD, V6TT variant on the Cadillac ATS Coupe/Chevy Camaro platform like the AVISTA concept. The dreamers among us noted right away: the AVISTA looks like an ideal basis for a next-gen GNX around 2019.  The Envision hopes to make its Chinese-import status an afterthought for US shoppers — through the sheer strength of its luxury …

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RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1963 Buick Riviera

This Riviera had to be a very curious sight thrumming around France, and its namesake golden coastline. 1963 Buick Riviera   RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1963 Buick Riviera Without Reserve Chassis no. 7J1105700 Engine no. 7J1105700    

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2017 Buick LaCrosse – All-New Luxury Limo Is Truly Plush Inside, Wider and Lower Outside

  2017 Buick LaCrosse   Buick Introduces All-New 2017 LaCrosse Leaner and sleeker with effortless technology   LOS ANGELES – The all-new 2017 Buick LaCrosse introduces the new face of Buick, influenced by the dramatic cues of the award-winning Avenir concept unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and inspired by a Buick concept from the mid-20th century.   The LaCrosse, which goes on sale in early summer 2016, features a new grille design with a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color – red, silver and blue – Buick tri-shield insignia, accented by …

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Track Drive Review – 2016 Buick Regal GS – Flypaper Handling Is Now $3k Cheaper!

Autobahn Country Club might be my “Happy Place.” Recalling this track’s frisky bends, howling tires and full-throttle straightaways brings a smile instantly. Buick invited us to flog their performance flagship, the 2016 Regal GS, around the Illinois track and autocross to show off the machine’s latest updates: new colors and a price that is much more approachable. How approachable!?  A cool $3,300 off the base price for the GS takes the entry level to $35k versus near $38k before.  Three drivetrains continue for 2016: FWD auto, FWD manual and AWD automatic. The GS AWD we tested out still comes in …

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2017 Buick LaCrosse Nose Teases Avenir-Style Grille – November Debut to Include SuperCruise?

Buick just started its 2017 LaCrosse striptease!  The new model will debut in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show with looks inspired by the Avenir concept, updated chassis and new rear suspension, plus an all-new and super posh cabin. The LaCrosse redesign is a promising one: this large front or AWD sedan is a real all-star in the General Motors global model range. It is giant inside all around, but especially in the back seat. Its appeal is broad with pricing matching up with the Lexus ES but with much larger accomodations inside. And lastly, it is a pretty …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Buick Encore AWD Premium with Ken Glassman

2015 Buick Encore AWD Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman   The marketing folks at Buick have identified a large group of auto buyers who are looking for cars that have a prestige image, contemporary styling, and nicely appointed comfortable cabins. These shoppers want luxury amenities, but are also environmentally conscious and don’t require strong gas guzzling performance. The 2015 Buick Encore was designed with those attributes in mind. The handsome, rugged exterior styling features sculpted lines from the front clip and steeply raked hood (complete with Buicks iconic Venti-ports) to the character lines running just above the beltline, and door …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Buick ENCORE – Drives Like an Audi, Priced Like a Kia?

Compact crossovers could not be hotter right now. They avoid the depressing drive experience of small sedans, no matter how tight they might be inside. The flipside is that carmakers can be tempted to overprice the mini-SUVs — with options taking the ultra small machines deep into real SUV territory.  This is certainly the case with the $48k BMW X1 sDrive28i we tested last year. Or how about the $67k AMG GLA45? Clearly the temptation of luxury features, equipment and options is powerful for both the brands and to buyers, though. The compact SUV is therefore quite perplexing at times: …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD

Hot Buicks are some of the most adored American cars of all time. So when Buick decided to bring over the European Opel/Vauxhall Insignia to the US market for the first time, the excitement over receiving their OPC/VXR performance variant was palpable. Confirmation that the big brushed-alloy fangs would make it across the pond to US buyers for the first time brought many GNX rumbles to the surface. Would this hot Buick be able to inherit the Banker’s Hotrod legacy? A turbo engine and all the autobahn-ready handling seemed like a perfect statement of intent for Buick at the time. …

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Geneva 2015 Galleries – The FRENCH – Renault, Citroen, DS and Borgward!?

  PART FOUR When we found photos of this classic turd named Borgward, we naturally assumed from its hideous design, nauseating paint and unusual presence at a new-car show that it was French. It is actually German Belgian. Sarray. The Borgward design feels like a Karmann Ghia pretending to be a Buick, but less appealing than either. The Bakelite two-tone pastels are never a good idea. Only white with pink details would be worse. What is this? A white and pink Citroen van concept!  Home run, chaps. Time for a white-wine lunch? Moving on… So, why Geneva photos a week …

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2015 Buick Avenir Concept with 1938 Y-Job in Amelia Island

You can tell Buick is excited about the Avenir Concept when it is joined by the famous Y-Job from 1938! The Cascada ragtop also greeted Amelia Island 2015 guests — and for the first time, the brand felt right at home with the best cars in the world. 2015 Buick Avenir Concept Amelia Island 1938 Buick Y-Job Concept

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Winter Drift Gallery – 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD Slides Sideways Across Canadian Border

The big news on the very-cool Buick Regal GS this year is the addition of AWD as an option on the automatic transmission, plus a stick-shift choice for the Hy-Per-Strut front-driver. Eager to get sideways, the new Regal GS is at home in the snow like no Buick sports-sedan in decades. Enjoy this photo blast…. just try not to get snow in your eyes! 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD    

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2015 Buick Avenir Concept Shows Design of Future RWD Flagship Limo

This is a tricky design to love at first sight. The sketches whisper ‘chic’ the real car’s nose and profile shouts ‘eek.’ Even so, it is a promising look at a future Buick flagship limo.    2015 Buick Avenir Concept         Avenir’s Design-driven Global Collaboration Buick concept developed via collaboration of GM’s Australia, Michigan studios 2015-01-11 DETROIT – The Buick Avenir concept announced today ahead of the North American International Auto Show represents a collaboration of General Motors’ global designers and fabricators, who worked between studios in Australia and the United States to develop the striking design …

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2016 Buick Cascada Convertible Is Official! 75 Images + Tech Specs

Buick revealed a surprise production car today ahead of its live debut at the Detroit auto show tomorrow: the very sexy Cascada convertible. The Cascada is a surprise only in part: the car is a clone of its European Vauxhall and Opel Cascada twins, and arrives as a Buick production model to dealers in early in the 2016 calendar year. So while the car might not be a total shock, seeing Buick integrate it into the US lineup is relatively big news. It joins the current Regal as a fully autobahn-ready Buick with premium cabin, performance and handling. This sexy …

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Droptop Dreams – 2004 Buick Velite Cabriolet, 2001 Buick Bengal and 2000 Buick Regal Cielo

Buick was keen to have an open-topped car in the early 2000s. How do we know this? Three near-consecutive concepts explored the possibility of a Buick convertible: with the final being the best. We start with the 2000 Buick Regal Cielo — an innovative retracting targa that stacks the split roof panels into the trunk. This left the main pillars and side glass intact, but likely added hundreds of pounds and may have absorbed most of the trunk’s volume. 2000 Buick Regal Cielo In 2001, we have a sexy and slinky Bengal cabrio concept with sharp and smooth surfaces and …

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Mecum Kissimmee 2015 Preview – 1970 Buick GSX

Switching it up briefly — this fly-yellow Buick GSX stunner also lived in the Wellborn stables… A note here about “badge engineering.” Sure, badge engineering got a bad reputation and still has one in the auto business. But it was not always about shameless profit-seeking. It was about dealerships demanding a cool their-brand version of whatever popular car came out of these companies. This stemmed ultimately from buyer’s outcry for the same thing. In a time of fierce brand loyalties among whole families, they were much less likely to jump ship to a Dodge if they had traditionally owned Buicks. …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Buick LaCrosse V6 Premium Is Deceptively Sporty and Extremely Luxurious

Quick: name the best large sedan on the market for less than $50,000? Requirements for consideration are a huge back seat, width to never touch elbows with front passengers and all-day cruising comfort. Because you are a keen driver and love a great curving road, let’s add mountain road poise to the list. We are not considering luxury cars like the BMW 5 series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz C or E-Classes — they are too small in the back seat. The immediate group of competitors with these prerequisites are: the Hyundai Azera, Lincoln MKS, Toyota Avalon, Kia Cadenza and perhaps …

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2014 Buick Regal Turbo and GS AWD – Inside and Out in 50 High-Res Photos

We still have yet to drive the Buick Regal, but the car is very handsome for 2014 in both the base eAssist or Turbo trims — and definitely int he sexy GS package. The GS is the OPC/VXR version from across the pond – with everything the European cars have to increase the sportiness of the handling, performance and cabin feel. Our GS trades the twin-turbo V6 of the Euro cars for a turbo four – which is the biggest change overall besides the new Buick badges everywhere. The lighter engine up front actually dramatically enhances road feel and how …

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Buick OnStar 4GLTE As Standard Is A Game-Changer for In-Car Mobile Broadband

Spent some time today with the latest Regal and Lacrosse sedans from Buick – a surprising leader in the tech segment of the car business. Standard 4G LTE in all 2015 Buicks (except the Enclave, which makes it for 2016) will make the first three months of owning car car true heaven. That is the length of the trial period of in-car 4GLTE services with Onstar. I say this with a bit of a smirk because the sign-up rate will be amazingly high. The pricing, already-installed access and friendliness of the sign-in for up to seven devices is a miracle …

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Atlanta Dream Cars – 1951 General Motors LeSabre XP-8 Struck Gold With Yank Tank Ethos of 1950s

I usually formulate a rough outline of what I want to say about a car while cropping and straightening out the photos beforehand. In the case of this 1951 LeSabre, I wish you could have seen my face recoil in horror at all the tacky, gaudy details on this car up close. Thus, my theory was initially that the LeSabre showed General Motors the good and the bad of design. The good is that it can excite you in ways that will open wallets and checkbooks by the millions. The bad is that certain elements would need to be explained …

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Low-Volume Specials – Buick Regal Country Tourer Could Be Yours… At A Price

When a long-term product plan from GM was released a few years ago by a disgruntled employee CMO to a German newspaper, the revelations about what exactly lay ahead for Opel were quickly silenced. Luckily, it was not the Guardian who received the documents. The one thing I recall before all the news … went away … was the Country Tourer name for a potential Vectra replacement wagon.   An all-road-style option for families who not only need AWD, but need some extra ground clearance and gravel resistance on the lower panels as well. These are not some kind of …

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The Mitty 2014 at Road Atlanta – Modern Formula Racers Group – IndyCars, Formula3 and Lotus T125

  This Marlboro-liveried car is running a Buick engine, with the rest a bit unclear. The only car I can ID for certain is the T125 Lotus, which was the customer racer they sold briefly in 2012-2013. Group 4C – Modern Formula 2013 Lotus T125 1997 Lola T97/20 1994 Shelby Sports Racer 2002 Dallara Indy 2006 Swift JMS016P 1997 Lola T97/20

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1937 Shafer 8 BUICK Indy RaceCar at The Mitty – Road Atlanta 2014

Pretty shameless not to write much about this amazing machine!  But the photos really tell most of the story of this handsome and streamlined Buick-powered racer. Streamlined? Yes and no. The long-tail acted to improve stability, but those silver bars along the sides? That is the full ladder chassis, with the cabin and mechanical shrouds all in-board. Coker Tire sells the best vintage tires around, with the exact Firestones seen here available today from about $475 – which is not a bad deal overall! Adjusted for inflation, that would be barely $2 per tire in the 1930s…! http://blog.cokertire.com/shafer-eight/  

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Introducing Special Contributor Andy Stella — How to Trade Up from a 1995 Buick Skylark to a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic

Ed’s Intro: Please welcome Andy Stella! A car-minded guy with some hilarious insights to share in this two-pack of intro articles. Coming up next is his Top 5 Cars to Street-Park in Chicago — but his personal car history had me rolling on the floor with lulz. Enjoy. By: Special Contributor Andy Stella       From Car Hell to Car Bliss… in Only Six Easy Steps!   My first car was a 1995 Buick Skylark that I bought from my mom. That poor thing endured driver’s ED for my older brother and I, many trips into/out of the snowbanks …

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Comic Relief Time! 3-Part HD Video Review — Driving the Worst Car of the 21st Century — The 2003 Buick Century

Fatigued with Geneva hypercars yet? My hands and eyes are about to explode — so I think that is a yes for me. I have been typing since 4am today, so this might be it for a bit while I recharge my batteries. With the 2003 Century — these three videos confirmed a long-suspected fact: this Buick is named for ***last*** century versus this current one. Here is a very humorous and adjective-laden assessment of the absolutely wretched 2003 Buick Century, shot on my snazzy new GoPro Hero3+ as I learn how to take some better, more watchable-quality content. These …

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Low-Volume Specials – Buick Regal Country Tourer Could Be Yours… At A Price

When a long-term product plan from GM was released a few years ago by a disgruntled employee to a German newspaper, the revelations about what exactly lay ahead for Opel were quickly silenced. Luckily, it was not the Guardian who received the documents. The one thing I recall before all the news … went away … was the Country Tourer name for a potential Vectra replacement wagon.   An all-road-style option for families who not only need AWD, but need some extra ground clearance and gravel resistance on the lower panels as well. These are not some kind of “country” …

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McLaren Turbo – Secrets of Black Air – 1987 Buick GNX Story

Let’s start at the beginning, my personal vantage on the Buick GNX – before and after watching Black Air: The Buick Grand National Story. Here are three things you may not know about the 1987 Buick Grand National: Engine came first, car second. What sporty body could fit this 500HP boost-monster? Housing the huge McLaren turbocharger and intercooler hardware of the 3.8-liter V6 was the hardest part. It was a very sentimental project for the company, allowing unbridled execution of the super-car engine and total styling black-out. That high-gloss, rich paint was pure fantasy at the time. The GNX was the …

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EuroChevy Runs out of Gas - Opel Monza Concept5

EuroChevy Halted in Favor of Opel / Vauxhall – But What About the ManU Jerseys!?

  EuroChevy Runs Out of Gas In what seems like a curious move from General Motors, Chevrolet today reports it will no longer promote or sell Chevy-branded cars in Europe by the end of 2015. This is a very complex decision, but one that has sound business principles at its core. Europeans do not want to buy Chevrolet cars. Period. Most new brands, like Infiniti, face an uphill battle to sway these entrenched buyers with very specific brand loyalties to local marques. But let us say Infiniti started at a brand index of 0, and is working to move that …

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2014 Buick LaCrosse Trumps Jaguar XJL AWD In Almost Every Way

2014 Buick LaCrosse – Animated GIF of 80 High-Res Photos This new LaCrosse is a real sweetheart. I closely compare it with the Jaguar XJ – which I also got to sample recently in its new AWD V-6 setup at the low end of the price range. Despite the Jag’s panache, it did not look happy with its extra L length and a perceptible increase in rear ride height versus the ultra-sporty XJR. The Jag and its tall rump.   Both fabulous, comfortable limousines. The Buick impressed me quite a bit with its incredible NVH isolation, honestly decent steering and …

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Driven Car Review - 2014 Buick LaCrosse Is Huge, Smooth and Silent19

Driven Car Review – 2014 Buick LaCrosse Is Huge, Smooth and Silent

The Buick LaCrosse is fresh for 2014 with a variety of improvements in almost every area, but with pricing that holds the base line at $34,000. The outside is sharper than before with LED and bi-xenon lighting up front, while new LED styles for the brake lights come in out back. Inside, everything takes a step toward classier finishes and surfaces, while tech integration for the touchscreen infotainment and active safety is now one of the best from any luxury brand. Larger wheels all around are a LaCrosse feature for 2014 as well, but the most notable improvements to this …

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