Buick was ranked low in a recent customer satisfaction survey, falling well below average according to American nonprofit consumer organization Consumer Reports.
According to Consumer Reports, Buick was ranked 19th among 28 major automakers in a recent owner satisfaction survey. The results are based on data pulled from the organization’s 2022 Annual Auto Surveys, which looked at more than 300,000 vehicles between the 2020 and 2022 model years. Data was also pulled on a select number of 2023 model-year vehicles that were not significantly changed, while some ratings were based on a single model year.
The data included the percentage of owners who said they would definitely buy the same vehicle over again if given the opportunity, with considerations made for factors like enjoyment, comfort, reliability, performance, and price. Ratings and scores for the various factors were based on the percentage of owners who said they were very satisfied.
From this data, Consumer Reports calculated an overall customer satisfaction score for each of the major auto brands studied. Buick scored 66 points, slotting in above Audi, which scored 65 points, and below Volvo, which scored 66 points. Porsche was the top-ranked brand in the owner satisfaction survey with 83 points, followed by Genesis with 80 points, Tesla with 78 points, BMW with 73 points, and Subaru with 73 points. At the bottom of the list, we find Mercedes-Benz in 26th with 57 points, Volkswagen in 27th with 56 points, and finally, Infiniti in 28th with 50 points.
The three remaining GM U.S. brands were also ranked, with Cadillac scoring low, GMC scoring low, and Chevy scoring mid-pack.
Consumer Reports points out that owner satisfaction reflects whether a car meets a customer’s expectations, and that the most satisfying cars “aren’t necessarily the best on the market.”
It’s also worth noting that Buick ranked above average in Consumer Reports’ brand ranking scores last year, while Buick also scored low in the organization’s annual report card in 2021.
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Comments
There were two other Consumer Report stories this year that showed positive things for Buick. Now this. Consumer Report is BS.
It’s customer feedback not CR review.
Trump ahead of Desantis, Desantis ahead of Trump. BS
Should have kept Pontiac and got rid Buick.
I had a ’87 Grand Am, and a ’94 Grand Prix.
Also, IIRC I remember hearing an interview with Bob Lutz. And Pontiac never made money. I think it was the try anything division LOL.
Just give GM a little more time. Buick is about to become “China only” if the corporation’s tepid stateside support is any indication. GM is making the same moves they made with Oldsmobile and Pontiac. Starve them of really new product / cut advertising and PR back to a minimum / manage them down to minimal loss . Buick sales of their “3 bears” model lineup are in freefall. The majority of the dealers have a profitable lineup of GMC and upcoming Hummers, so who needs Buick taking up showroom space? With all of the splashy electric vehicle news coming out of GM – several Chevrolet’s, Cadillac Lyriq & Celestiq, GMC’s & even reintroduced Hummers – where are the Buicks? Oh yeah, the 2 new Electra SUV’s, which are CHINA ONLY. Hope I’m wrong.
Rick, Buick’s Encore GX, Envision, and Enclave will each be refreshed with the new design language in 2024, and then we will begin to get electric Buicks such as the Electra E5.
Rick Sand: I hope you are wrong too as I’ve been a real Buick fan for many years. Many Buicks have been in my home and family’s homes. I still believe in my heart that Buick must have cars!!! I’m ok with GM making Buick EV only, as long as they give them some cars too.
However, like you, I feel that GM is doing the same to Buick that they did to Old/Pontiac just before killing them too. Giving Buick a couple face-lifts in 2024 means nothing because it’s being done more for China and not us. The writing is on the wall I fear.
Buick was a 3 car line for much of the first decade of the 2000s & profitable. Buick earns healthy profits now with Envision’s good margins. Envlave is basically a reskinned Traverse with a higher MSRP that sells well ranking #2 in it’s segment.
Envista will be hit or miss and Electra 5 a success. A line up of 5 cars, five of which do not require unique tooling, earns a hearty profit. Reduced adverts saves money yet sales gave held
SteveInvictaIinsignia: Although I love your optimism about Buick, I just can’t get there. And believe me when I say I really REALLY want to! No brand in history could (or can) survive on 3 models, especially when they are all the exact same thing other than size. It would be like going into a men’s suit store where they offer the exact same suit in small, medium or large and in brown, tan, black, blue or gray.
If GM is serious about giving Buick a fighting chance, they need to offer a 4th crossover and 2 sedans and 1 2+2 coupe. I don’t care if they are all EV’s. Just offer them. The Envista and Electra 5 are just two more CUV’s in my opinion. Although with a few tweaks, they could pass the Envista off as a higher sitting hatch/sedan.
I GOT a Chevy Lumina back in the 90’s and Consumer report rated it very low. It was one of the BEST vehicles we had. The kids loved it, it wouldn’t rust because the outside was plastic. I had it for 10 years and sold it to a friend at work who drove it for a number of years. Bottom line I read their reviews with a grain of salt.
Come on folks, did you expect Buick to be at the top of the list ??
They used to be consistently ranked in the top three with JD Power, if not CR, from the mid-1980’s thru the early aughts. Buick is being systematically ignored in the U.S. by GM. Why should consumers care if they don’t?
Buick still ranks quite high in JD Power and has for many years. Buick makes a great product, but they are being starved of product and the proper models (no cars) to sell. This C.R. is not the same report as quality or reliability. This, is my understanding, is more about how satisfied buyers are with the purchase, dealership, sales and if they feel like they would buy another down the road. The fact that Buick used to have one of the highest retention rates among brands where buyers would continue to buy another is a sign to me that the CUV/SUV only strategy is not working.
I have a Buik Encore and am very happy, sharp European styling , quiet ,comfortable and very fuel efficient. So far very reliable what’s not to like?
I bought a 21 Encore and I’m very satisfied. Zero problems and I average 35 mpg on the highway. Again this story is about owner satisfaction not brand reliability. I’m not sure why people aren’t satisfied when the same owners give the car high marks. I’m a CR member and I’ve seen the owner’s ratings for their specific models. Surprisingly the model which gets the most negatives from owners is the Enclave- which is the only model made in the US. FYI the Encore is made in Korea and the Envision in China..
Encore was designed to be an Opel. Mark Adams must gave played some role. I really wish he had been assigned Buick design and elevated the brand. I’m not a fan of “Pure” & love Envision styling
Buick is rated 4th highest in latest JD Power survey for most dependable after three years. Participants in Consumer Reports surveys are exclusively subscribers of the magazine. Feedback loop at work.
These bogus CR surveys are filled with subjectivity. If ‘snob appeal’ was factored out, you can bet that Buick owners would have been substantially more positive.
I have been waiting for 10 months for a part from Buick to make my 2020 Regal driveable again. They keep stringing me along saying the part will be made, but there is never any ETA. At least I get to keep making my monthly payments. It’s not hard to understand why Buick customer satisfaction is so low.
Mike: I had a fleet Volvo S60 sedan that I went to deliver only to find out it had transport damage to the front bumper. 6 months later and we were still waiting for a simple bumper skin/cover. I finally just got the car delivered last week after 7 months. This is an industry wide issue.
I guess Buick isn’t advertising enough on Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports has no advertising.
That was the joke. Bravo, you got it. sorta
For decades, Buick was the only GM brand with consistently ranked high quality. But in China, they’ve been considered actual luxury…the cars of Emperor Pu Yi, President Sun Yat Sen, and Premiere Zhoi Enlai.
So when GM started back in China a few years ago, they started making money and then started building FOR and IN China. And that’s the problem with Buick. Chinese cars for the Chinese market. Ignoring the US market.
To this day, I still want a 1991 LeSabre. Those things were great.
I can’t fault GM for selling in China. For years they’ve had a growing middle class and that middle class desires luxury goods. GM has done a great job branding Buick as the luxury brand in China which has fueled GM’s market share in that country.
For years they marketed Buicks in the US to the “Older” generation that is now dying out. They’ve had problems marketing to gen xer’s and millennials cause they have other car options (think Tesla) and because of the decades they spent exclusively marketing to boomers.
I have a 2019 Buick Regal, what’s not to like ? Nice comfortable interior, eye catching exterior, great performance 2.0turbo great mileage and a joy to drive.
And a car that will probably last 250 thousand miles,which I’ll never see at 74. I will enjoy this awesome ride. Ken
You know what ? I think it’s time to dissolve the GM bean counters and the overhead called GM. Let Cadillac, Buick, and Chevy survive on their own as their own car company like in the good ole days. Chevrolet would be the winner.
GM plants in China using soy based material on wires plastic etc attracting rodents, my Car was victim to this and the dealerships have no urgency in repairing because it doesn’t fall under the warranty. Beware
I think GM killed off Pontiac and kept Cadillac and Buick because they know the people that buy them can afford the big repair bills…
Word is out GM
No one has ever contacted me for an opinion on my $55,000.00 Enclave. Mind is a beautiful green. It has never been back to the dealer for anything at all. I’ll bet mine will out run my V6 Mustang. Lit Buick crest shot on the pavement rules.
I don’t believe this survey is accurate. I have a loaded 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL, 116,000 miles, and it’s still a great car. I bought a 2017 Envision 2 years ago, have taken it on a couple of long trips and I love it. I’ve had many cars from many brands since 1964, and I’d gladly buy another Buick.
Consumers Reports has been biased since…forever. I will trust JD Power.
We bought a 2023 Envision a month ago we love the car it has all the whistles and bells. The only problem the car was delivered with only one repeat one KEY FOB !
The dealership has no idea when the the FOB WILL BE RELEASED ,!
I think this is both a safety and security issue !
That’s ridiculous. Buick is such a beautiful auto. I love my crossover! IT’s luxury look inside and out is great. The drive is smooth and the auto features while driving is awesome. Only Buick had the special features in my GX ST. Model. As for other dealer models in crossover didn’t have 5 of the features and I didn’t even pay too much on the MSRP so it’s a plus!!!
I bought a new Buick Enclave in 2009. Loved it until it turned into the biggest POS I’ve ever owned. So many problems I lost count. 2 new timing chains, struts blown out, power steering pump and rack needed replaced, rear hatch going up and down on its own, trim falling off, hitch bolts finger tight, power brakes quit on the highway, on and on and on….. No matter what they make, GM will never be able to sell me a new vehicle again. 😒
Well that’s funny because JD power rated Buick as number one in 2022 above Toyota above everything