Buick has always been in a special position in the US at the top between GM’s Oldsmobile and Cadillac, offering a touch of luxury, power and refinement. For many, the brand has stood for sophisticated vehicles that look and feel high-end, drive and handle solidly and don’t have to make a song and dance about themselves. Although many associate the marque with cruising on the highway at a slow pace, the marque has also built some of Detroit’s best performance cars, luxury coupes and quirkier vehicles over the decades.

Delivering everything from high-performance muscle cars and ambitious grand tourers to tech-savvy luxury coupes, Buick’s range reveals a brand that’s managed to shift with the automotive landscape over the years without losing its core DNA. The GNX legend, the Riviera’s stylized luxury, the Electra 225’s sedate solidity each vehicle embodies Buick’s knowledge base in a different way. Whether it’s the torque of great acceleration, the luxurious feat of on-board comfort or the visual mojo of the marque’s design codes, looking back at ten of the best Buick cars ever made will show a brand that knew how to combine a love of American motoring with market-proof design excellence.

1. Buick GNX (1987)

The 1987 Buick GNX was undoubtedly one of the most powerful cars in American history, with its unique black-on-black design and its challenging of expectations. Buick enhanced its existing Grand National model by utilizing the services of ASC and McLaren to build a vehicle truly meant to be a speed machine. Ever since its inception, the GNX was capable of taking the competition to task, solidifying its position as one of the most powerful in American history. The black-on-black aesthetic gave the GNX an ominous look while, in truth, it was an actual powerhouse meant for the straight-line racing buff! Though it certainly used a sophisticated methods to get the race, the GNX was one of the earliest examples of what was possible from Buick!

Buick GNX Key Performance Highlights:

• Turbocharged and intercooled V6 engine
• Sub-five-second 0-60 mph acceleration
• Distinctive black-on-black exterior styling
• Developed with ASC and McLaren
• Produced for one model year

Power under the bonnet was from a turbocharged, intercooled V6 that could propel it from 0-60 in less than 5 seconds in 1987. That helped it complete on par with, if not better than, some of the Corvettes of the era, and too face up to European machines on the dragstrip. Demonstrating that it could actually do more than do speed alone, the GNX was instantly a serious proposition in the performance market, all without a V8 to speak of. Providing all the engine tuning job here was ASC and McLaren, further setting the car apart from other muscle cars. Built in just a single year of production, the GNX is, a real muscle car powerhouse and one of the company’s most famous vehicles.

2. Buick Regal Grand National (1984-1987)

But even before the GSX and GNX made their debut, the Buick Regal Grand National was already helping to change how consumers viewed the brand. Built between 1984-87, the car had a unique dark color, and a very distinctive, square-shouldered stance that was not like just about anything else being built in Detroit during that era. By bringing an aggressive style and feel to the performance world, the Grand National gave Buick a much bigger foothold in the muscle car market, and set the stage for the later GNX. Instead of making a car that looked like a light-drenched model, the car had its own identity, and drew buyers that enjoyed a different, very distinct personality. The Grand National was also essential in helping to build the foundation for the modern GNX, and establishing that Buick was much more than a brand for those wanting a comfy ride.

Grand National Standout Features:

• Dark and distinctive exterior finish
• Turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine
• Forced induction instead of displacement
• Fast acceleration and aggressive styling
• Established Buick as a performance brand

The turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine was at the heart of the Grand National. It had the power to show the world that not only did a forced induction system not mean you were doomed to a big, heavy, sluggish engine, but it could also achieve some incredible performance levels. It was quick enough to match the size and meaning of the pointy-suited, fat-tyred, angry-looking car it was attached to, giving the driver a feeling of having a purposeful design and impressive powertrain between their legs. The GN’s turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 also gave birth to Buick’s new image as a serious muscle car and performance brand. It was the first time that Buick had managed to secure an almost instant following with a product that carried his combination of power, aggressive styling and a personality that diverged from its more ordinary stablemates. So, without a turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine, the Regal would never be remembered by most car fans, and certainly not the muscle car fans, in the way it is today.

3. Buick Riviera (1963):

The 1963 Buick Riviera was the perfect example of how American automobiles could be luxuriously styled in a bold manner that gained attention on the road. Developed under the guidance of Bill Mitchell the 1963 Riviera took design cues from its European luxury car ancestors like Rolls-Royce and Ferrari. Through adopting this technique, the Riviera captured the European sense of style with American proportions and less flamboyant adornment, with the sculpted body work producing a style of reserved elegance on the outside of the car unlike other personal luxury cars of its era. The 1963 Riviera was the American personal luxury with the European style, the presence and stature on the road, while Buick managed to prove with it that a personal luxury car could be stylish and also comfortable, and that the benefits of the luxury car could be expressed visually as well as with comfort.

Riviera Luxury and Design Highlights:

• Designed under Bill Mitchell’s direction
• Inspired by Rolls-Royce and Ferrari
• Distinctive hidden headlights
• Powerful 401 Nailhead V8 engine
• Sophisticated personal luxury design

Design wise, the Riviera had a set of unique hidden headlights, a character line that sculpted the body and a powerful 401 Nailhead V8 engine. All of these elements made the Riviera look imposing on the road as well as capable of the effortless cruise that only a true grand tourer can match. The engine was matched by a superbly matured exterior that set the Riviera apart from other luxury cars in the sense that it was luxurious in a more refined American way and it had the proportions of a European luxury car. However more than anything else, the 1963 Riviera proved that it was possible for an American builder to give the world a personal luxury car that could rival some of the greatest designs of the modern era. It was an elegant, yet sporty combination of style, performance and comfort that proved the Buick of the 1960s was a real automotive force to be reckoned with.

4. Buick Skylark GSX (1970)

The 1970 Buick Skylark GSX is an interesting car that appeared at a difficult point in time. The American musclecar market was full of red-hot models that promised to match the roar of their engines with eye-popping speed. But the SGX was special, not only for the brute strength of its powertrain but also for its refinement. It was a muscle car that played to the muscle car crowd without giving up the luxury building blocks that Buick had been assembling for many years. It looked aggressive because of its little stretching in certain features, but it was also a car that promised an incredible performance, all while being posh enough to come with those amenities that made Buick such a comfy brand. It was a hot rod that could be a daily driver, and that’s pretty much the definition of one of the coolest musclecars that exists.

Skylark GSX Performance Features:

• Massive 455 cubic inch V8
• Produced 510 pound-feet of torque
• Vibrant body colours and striping
• Prominent rear spoiler design
• Luxurious and refined interior

The Skylark GSX was everything a muscle car needed to be, and more. It was equipped with a 510 lb/ft 455 V8, arguably the most powerful engine in its segment at the time. This engine provided the muscle needed to make it hop along the quarter mile, and a’ presence’ in the bodywork was reinforced by the bright colours, aggressive striping on the side and the massive rear spoiler. It would still maintain the plush interior luxury expected from Buick, and it delivered the power to get you down the drag strip in style while remaining quiet while motoring around town. With a good mix of power and refinedness, this car certainly earned a place among the most iconic muscle cars ever produced.

5. Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon (1994-1996)

The Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon was more than just a wagon, but it was also more than just a family-oriented vehicle. It was a perfect hybrid of both as it was created to be a traditional car in form and then further complemented with a set of wood-styled doors that portrayed it as a normal station wagon. However, under the guise of a traditional looking station wagon sat the strength and capability that you would need to transport a family and their luggage without sacrificing a thing when it came to the performance of the car. The Roadmaster was the ideal vehicle for those who wanted a full-sized vehicle with the performance of a standard automobile all while offering the ability to seat large families and put large pieces of cargo in the back.

Roadmaster Comfort and Practicality:

• Traditional American station wagon styling
• LT1 V8 engine shared with Corvette
• Spacious interior and plush seating
• Rear-facing third-row passenger seating
• Strong towing and highway cruising

Power was supplied by an LT1 V8 engine shared with the Corvette, providing plenty of power for a full-size family station wagon. The Roadmaster also was equipped with a a powerful V8 engine. Towing was an easy task. Inside, ample comfortable seating and a rear-facing third-row seating gave the Roadmaster plenty of room for families. Perfect for a cross-country family trip or hauling large quantities of goods, the Roadmaster could get nearly anything where it needed to go, even with a trailer. On the highways, the Roadmaster provided all the comfort of a full-size Buick, making for a comfortable trip on long road journeys. The Roadmaster Estate Wagon was one of the last true full-size American station wagons to hit the market. The Roadmaster Estate Wagon proved Buick knew how to combine V8 power, space and traditional looks into a single package.

6. Buick Reatta (1988-1991)

The Buick Reatta offered a unique blend of artistry, technology, and personal luxury to the car-buying public during the late 1980s. Built between 1988 and 1991, this small luxury coupe was assembled in a dedicated specialty manufacturing plant by a team of technicians who paid close attention to detail. Instead of following the traditional sports car route of larger proportions, Buick sought to produce a vehicle with an emphasis on refinement and comfort. Its small size and thoughtfully conceived features helped set the Reatta apart from larger luxury vehicles offered elsewhere in the company’s product range. Buick also wasn’t afraid to pursue new automotive technology during a period when digital displays were not common, offering a glimpse of the next phase of automotive design. It was a unique, hands-on, technologically advanced expression of Buick’s niche in the market.

Reatta Innovative Features:

• Hand-assembled in a specialty facility
• Modern digital dashboard technology
• Early touchscreen control interface
• Refined and comfortable driving environment
• Meticulous construction and unique character

The Reatta’s most distinctive features included a digital dashboard, along with a touchscreen control panel. Such high-tech touches helped distinguish the Reatta from its more traditional luxury rivals, especially as the car opted against mimicking traditional high-performance sports cars. Instead, it focussed on driving comfort, traditional craftsmanship, and luxury, with its highly specialised production process ultimately making the car feel very different from a mass-market vehicle. Despite its efforts to appeal to enthusiasts, the Reatta proved to be underrated in its production years, and it has gone on to earn a dedicated cult following in the years since. Its gentle touch was a sign of Buick’s desire to try something new, showing that the brand was still capable of putting innovation before speed and displaying a willingness to deliver a luxurious personal luxury car that didn’t adhere to convention.

7. Buick Regal GS (2012-2017)

The Buick Regal GS served as an aggressive first step into the modern world of sporty sedans. Available between 2012 and 2017, the car took the user-centric comfort-oriented approach with which Buick built its brand and infused it with engineering features aimed at appeal to drivers who crave excitement and acceleration. Based on the solid European Opel Insignia platform, the Regal GS showcased a more performance-oriented take on the traditional family sedans, with high levels of howling throttle response and balanced driving dynamics making the comfort feel a little more ferocious than in most rivals. Incorporating turbocharging, innovative braking and all-wheel drive, the Regal GS strayed from the usual focus on luxury and launched Buick into the new era of engaging family sedans that proved capable and fun to drive with both all-weather confidence and sporty flair.

Regal GS Driving Highlights:

• Based on Opel Insignia platform
• Responsive turbocharged engine performance
• High-performance Brembo braking system
• Advanced all-wheel-drive system
• Available six-speed manual transmission

The Regal GS offered a responsive, turbocharged engine, high-performance Brembo brakes and an advanced all-wheel-drive system designed to keep the sedan feeling stable and nimble on twisty back roads. These elements helped give the sedan a more dynamic edge, giving the Regal GS both an edge and a level of livability you might not have expected in a twin-turbo six-cylinder sedan. A critical, driver-oriented feature of the Regal GS was the availability of a six-speed manual transmission, providing enthusiasts with a way to have fun instead of simply relying on an automatic. Capable stopping power, an efficient but responsive engine, and the modern all-wheel-drive system combined for a distinctive expression of sporty mid-size sedans we’ve seen in more recent years from Buick. It wasn’t just transportation: The Regal GS was a modern-day sports sedan with a healthy dose of style and substance.

8. Buick Limited (1958)

The 1958 Buick Limited was a luxury car during the height of luxuries in automotive design, when complex styling and large size were considered vital signs of luxury. The car’s exterior was draped with abundant chrome details, giving the vehicle an unmistakably extravagant look on the road. The ornamentation on the car’s exterior was in keeping with the design goals of Detroit auto makers during this era, when new vehicles were often built more to be shown off than to be driven. The Limited’s combination of flowing bodywork and large size helped it be a truly distinctive car and a symbol of American luxury. Its design was a far cry from minimalist approaches to detailing, with complex body design and abundant detailing all around, emphasizing the car’s nature as a high-end automobile that was to make a statement as it was driven.

Buick Limited Premium Features:

• Extensive gleaming exterior chrome trim
• Sweeping and heavily styled bodywork
• Exceptionally detailed luxury interior
• Smooth and comfortable suspension system
• Owned by Elvis Presley himself

Beneath the showy styling of the Buick Limited was a build quality that spared no attention to detail, and suspension that aimed to smooth out highway travel. The Limited’s size and well considered suspension meant that it could float down the open highway like a yacht on a smooth sea. Outfitted with luxury features, the Limited proved to be an expensive vehicle that attracted owner such as Elvis Presley from the world of entertainment. The Limited shows how Buick masterfully juxtaposed show stopping styling with high end luxury. Instead of cramming the Limited with a sporty suspension and an aggressive performance package, the vehicle was designed to be a stately and plush cruiser. Its dramatic proportions, copious use of chrome and rich and opulent interior encapsulated the spirit of late fifties American luxury. The Limited clearly depicts how style and engineering were blended together to give Buick its character during this period of time.

9. Buick Electra 225 (1960s-1970s)

The Buick Electra 225 was a true statement car through the 1960s and 1970s. Known as the “Deuce and a Quarter”, this full size luxury car was distinguished by its flowing bodywork, on the large side and with an incredibly plush ride. Its long, swept sheets of metal made it a true road presence, while the V8 engine was an engine designed to be felt and not heard. Rather than being a performance car, the Electra 225 was built to exude ease and luxury, with its size and styling making it an imposing sight on the road, and its performance and interior comfort underlining the reason why Buick sold the car in the first place. It was also the epitome of the traditional American luxury car, offering a car for those who could appreciate the finer things in life.

Electra 225 Comfort and Luxury:

• Known as Deuce and a Quarter
• Massive and sculpted exterior bodywork
• Ultra-smooth V8 powertrain
• Whisper-quiet and comfortable ride
• Expansive cabin with power accessories

The interior of the Electra 225 was also then sourced to be of high class, so a contemporary mid-century modern lounge-like atmosphere was of high importance. The spacious cabin combined with the full power convenience accessories made for a very comfortable and easy-to-use package. Of course, the Electra 225 was never meant to be pushed to the limit, the pursuit of high performance was not it goal, instead, driving it in the most stylish way along the freeways was. With a fine V8 engine under the hood, coupled with soft suspension, the Electra 225 was destined for comfortable cruising and therefore very appropriate for being a full-size luxury machine.

10. Buick Wildcat (1962-1970)

Final Buick sporty coupe, a bruising yet refined muscle car in a body that showcased great design and big power in a classically American style. The Wildcat was Buick’s final high horsepower V8-powered sporty coupe, a presence on the road that offered strength of body and style along with dominance of engine. And in its run of 1962-70 it was a pretty formidable all-American offering in that segment, a bit more restrained than some other muscle cars while still sportingly muscular, still seemingly big and solid in the way a big coupe ought to be. A true musclecoupe, a big, muscular package that offered the muscle, the power and the performance without the big-wheel, overstyled deception of other high-performance cars, the Wildcat was Buick’s more sophisticated take on that ultimate coupe body style, one that sported muscles and lines but also grace, class and timeless style.

Wildcat Power and Performance:

• Sporty full-size coupe design
• Muscular big-block engine power
• Exceptional acceleration and performance
• Clean and imposing exterior styling
• High-end grand touring luxury

Driven by a muscular big-block engine, the Wildcat is an extremely quick car, offering effortless cool and great performance without the requirement of excessive cosmetic modifications. But while it had all that big-block grunt, it was certainly no street brawler like the hardcore muscle cars of the era such as the GSX, but more the refined alternative for those who demand power but with some class, and all wrapped up in the package of a full-size Buick coupe. The Wildcat was pure high-performance luxury grand touring and couched inside of a high-performance full-size car was the potential for a lot of performance, coupled with a relaxed, confident, quiet ride, as is befitting a serious Buick. That’s what made the Wildcat such a great car combine the calm of that big block sound, with high-speed grand touring capabilities, and you’ve got yourself one of the best Buick offerings of the era.