GM has been around since 1908 and has always been a leading pioneer in the American automotive scene. The GM brand encompasses Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac, covering trucks, cars, SUVs, and more. You obviously searched “used Buick dealer” because you’re interested in the brand. But like any car buyer, you may want to know more about the brand’s reliability. The good news is that Buick is a reliable brand, showing the most improvement out of 26 different vehicle brands in 2020.
While the brand has always been reliable, it’s evident that it only improves more with time. Buick is GM’s premium car and SUV branch, which allows the brand to focus solely on comfortable commuter-friendly models. Throughout the years, Buick has created some hearty, reliable models. In today’s article, we’re going to walk you through some of the best Buick models you can depend on the most.
The Buick Regal
Not only is Buick GM’s car and SUV branch, but it also doubles as a luxury model brand that slots in just below Cadillac. The original Buick Regal was no exception to this rule. In 1973, the Regal debuted as the Century Regal, offering both V6 and V8 options. In 1981, the Buick Regal won fame as a NASCAR racecar, crossing over from luxurious to sporty. By 2009, the Regal started to gain that luxurious look back while still maintaining its power. Now, the Buick Regal comes with a turbo option for those who love luxury yet like to maintain the Regal’s racing days.
The newer Buick Regals are also known for their reliability, with Buick becoming the first American brand to place third in the Consumer Reports vehicle reliability brand list in 2016. If you purchase a used Regal model from 2014 to 2017, you can even have reliability, luxury, and affordability. When treated well by previous owners, these used Buick Regals are way more affordable than you’d expect, all while keeping in good condition. Even from 2012 to 2017, the Regal is available in all-wheel drive, and it comes with a turbocharged engine, ensuring you can power along with reasonable fuel economy. Overall, the Buick Regal is a reliable yet affordable luxury car.
The Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a small crossover that first came out in 2012. This model is Buick’s most popular model in terms of sales, and that’s largely because of its diversity. The Encore is reliable because of its fuel efficiency and commuter-friendliness, along with its multiple driver-assist features. The 2013 Encore can get up to 33 miles per gallon, and the newer models maintain exceptional mileage.
The Encore’s safety features are abundant, even on the earliest models. Even if you get a 2013 Encore, you’ll get a standard rearview camera, along with tire pressure monitoring, stolen vehicle assistance, automatic crash response, and OnStar’s turn-by-turn navigation, all available on the lowest trim. Higher trims include lane departure warning, forward collision alert, front and rear park assist, and more. The newer 2019 Encore adds even more safety features to this mix, including rear cross traffic alert and side blind zone alert. Overall, much of the Buick Encore’s reliability lies within its efficient mileage and helpful safety assets.
The Buick Envision
While the Encore is Buick’s smallest SUV model, the Envision takes things up a step without getting too pricey. This compact model debuted in 2014 and was designed to be a fuel-efficient mid-level luxury SUV. According to Helen Emsley, the executive director of Global Buick and GMC Design, the all-new 2021 Buick Envision is “lower and wider” in order to “combine the expressiveness of a car with the practicality of an SUV.”
In other words, the newer Envision models are the perfect choice for those who like a more car-like SUV rather than a rounded, fuller exterior appeal of previous Envision models. Despite the aesthetic changes, the Envision is dependable across model years and is known for its impressive fuel economy and luxurious appeal.
Newer Envisions like the 2020 and 2021 models can get up to 31 miles per gallon, while the earliest 2016 model gets up to 26 miles per gallon. However, the 2016 model is all-wheel drive only, while the newer models come in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Those who need a casual commuter that can handle adverse weather conditions should definitely consider a 2016 Buick Envision. It’s more affordable yet just as dependable as new Envision models.
Overall, the Buick Envision is a great choice for a mid-level luxury vehicle. No matter what model year you choose, you’ve got options for safety features such as forward collision alert, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and much more. Plus, you’ll get plenty of convenience features like sunglasses storage and remote start options across most Envision trims as well. Between its convenience, sleek looks, and stellar mileage, the Envision is definitely worth looking into.
The Buick Encore GX
The Encore GX is even more well-liked than the regular Buick Encore. This model debuted in 2019, and it comes with some cool features that the regular Encore doesn’t include. On the GX, you can choose from two different engines, really piping up the power if you choose the 1.3-liter turbocharged option. Additionally, this model is larger than the regular Encore, giving you more space to stretch out.
Plus, the Encore GX provides more cargo space than the Encore, with up to 23.5 cubic feet of cargo with the seats up and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats up. Finally, the GX includes standard safety features that the standard Encore does not. These include lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Overall, you get a lot more packed in for the price if you go the GX route. As far as overall reliability goes, the 2020 Buick Encore GX has a 4.5-star reliability rating from US News & World Report, making it a very dependable model.
Why Buick Is One of the Most Reliable Brands
As we’ve seen today, Buick models are known for their fuel efficiency and their affordable luxury. But long-term reliability is important, too. While we know these models can save us fuel and cater to our modern conveniences, there’s a lot more to know.
According to Consumer Reports, the Buick Encore scored a Predicted Reliability rating of 91 out of 100. From 2018 and up, even the Encore’s original few flaws gained improvement, leaving its engine and transmission stronger than ever before. Further, Buick is the only American brand at the top of the Consumer Reports most reliable vehicle brands list. While all the other spots are taken by foreign cars, Buick remains America’s most reliable brand overall.
Buick also believes in their brand as much as we do, and their proof is in their standard warranties. New vehicles come with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Bumper-to-bumper warranties include nearly every component in the vehicle, while powertrain warranties cover your engine, transmission, and all related mechanical issues.
Plus, you don’t have to buy a new Buick to receive coverage. Certified Pre-Owned Buick models come with warranties as well, including a 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Whether you purchase a new Buick or a used one, you can count on its reliability to pull you through your next several years on the road.
