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Should Buick release a new 2027 Century sedan in the US?

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All sedans have been gone from Buick‘s US lineup for a while. It’s all SUVs now. All with less and less personality with each new generation. Just look at the “new” Buick Enclave. A shape that could be from anyone, anywhere on earth.

Of course, many have been lamenting the lack of new sedans in Buick‘s US lineup. But the truth is, fewer and fewer people were buying them when they were available. This has been the same story for everyone.

The Chinese market is friendly to sedans, and Buick has been offering them over there. They still sell the old Regal in China. A Buick version of the last Opel Insignia that was never popular over here. And they have a brand new Electra L7 Hybrid coming out. A stunning car with a very modern shape that really shows that GM can still design a great looking sedan. But it also is quite generic…

I think Buick would need to draw from their past if they want to return to the sedan market in North America. Why not. There isn’t much to lose, and a retro design influenced by Buick sedans and coupes from the 1960s could at least stand out in today’s market.

Something a bit different, at least. Something above the Accord or Camry. Something electrified, like the Toyota Crown. But, unlike the Crown, something that doesn’t try to be sold as an SUV. A sedan that isn’t afraid to be one.

Of course, that’s exactly how people don’t buy anymore…

Conversation 9 comments

  1. Hi Vince, I appreciate you giving some thought to a possible new Buick sedan. But, rather than what you show, I think a new sedan would have to have the current Buick design language including a shark face, checkmate C-shaped headlights, graceful lines, etc. I think you design doesn’t look like any Buick past or present, and, in fact, gives me a 1960s foreign car vibe. Ironic since the ‘60s Buicks were works of art.

  2. I don’t even remember any iconic Buick designs, and I don’t think there are any Buick nameplates that would even be appropriate these days other than the Electra. So I don’t know where this is going. They don’t even sell any of their Chinese built hybrids and EVs here. Its the old fart lackluster SUV brand now. I guess someone had to take Oldsmobile’s place at GM when that brand was killed. Maybe GM should just build Chevy’s and Cadillacs, and I’m guessing that’s where this is all going.

  4. That would be good and welcomed, however, the name, “Century”, is now used by Toyota’s new top-tier division, which is going global, so there may be some discrepancies. Then again, there’s the Bentley Continental, and there had been the Lincoln Continental, as well.

  5. This, to me, actually looks like the direction Chrysler should take. I believe Buick needs to justify its higher price range and crib from Jaguar stylistically.

  6. Totally agree with you on the current Enclave. The previous generation Enclave had its own unique design and didn’t look anything like its platform mates (Traverse or Acadia). The current generation Enclave shares its overall profile, door panels, and squared off wheel arches with its platform mates and looks much less distinctive. The previous generation Enclave looked like an upscale and sophisticated tall wagon, which is something that Chevrolet and GMC didn’t offer. The current generation Enclave looks like a gussied up SUV; it doesn’t even have the brand’s distinctive sweep spear like the first two generations of the Enclave had. It’s a definite step backwards as far as exterior design is concerned.

    As far as production sedans are concerned, I think the mid cycle update (or facelift) of the third generation LaCrosse (which Buick didn’t offer in the U.S.) nailed the exterior appearance of a modern day Buick sedan. It’s a shame Buick discontinued it in the U.S. before we could experience the truly beautiful version of the third generation LaCrosse. Of course, the fourth generation LaCrosse came along in China and completely destroyed the nameplate; it’s repulsive.

    My dream sedan for Buick would be a production version of the drop dead gorgeous 2015 Avenir Concept built on GM’s rear wheel drive (with available AWD, of course) Alpha platform. I would definitely be in line to buy it if Buick would have the guts to create it! Maybe resurrect the “Riviera” name (even though it’s not a coupe) for this masterpiece of automotive metal (although “Invicta” or “LeSabre” would work too).

  7. I agree with the comment made my “bb”. Except for the front end, the sedan in the illustration looks more like what I think would work better for Chrysler.

  9. I like it! I also like your return to the classic Buick logo before they “dumbed”it down.

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