By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The Regal GS has lost some of its luster within the Buick ranks, but it still remains the hard-edged driver's car that brings European-like performance to the General Motors brand. It's not that the GS has actually lost anything — in fact, it has gained even more competence with the addition of an optional all-wheel drive system — it's just that Buick has elected to put the same performance-happy turbocharged four-cylinder engine in nearly all of its Regals.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

This fall we discovered what we learned years ago — the current-generation LaCrosse is the best large sedan Buick has produced in years including a stylish exterior that that has lost none of its luster since its 2009 introduction, a handsome cabin with upgraded technology, strong performance from a 3.6-liter V-6, and a smooth and quiet ride.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Luxury in a small, fuel-efficient package is the new hot commodity in the automotive world. We want our good stuff, but we want it in a neat container that makes us feel good about saving precious resources and disposable income that otherwise would land in the pockets of big oil. In this vein, Buick has offered up for 2013 the very tidy and compact crossover Encore.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

For the first time in nearly 15 years a small Buick returned to the fold last year slotting into the new Buick lineup of smaller, firmer cars with European design and flare. Buick completed its transformation introducing an entry-level luxury car that rivals anything in its class. The compact Verano offers handsome styling, a comfortable ride; an attractive and quiet interior loaded with quality materials; nimble handling; and fuel efficiency.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Buick brought back the Regal for the 2011 model year affixing the iconic name on a Euro-bred mid-sized sports sedan. The initial problem — the new Buick lacked a European sports sedan persona.

The Regal is a solid effort, worthy of the Buick name in most respects, but there's a lot more Buick and a lot less BMW under the taut sheetmetal for the Regal to be truly called a sports sedan. That was until the Buick GS entered showrooms earlier this year.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

There was a time not long ago when you could buy a Buick that was a Buick in name only. A Buick that didn't live up to the storied Buick nameplate. The forgettable Skylark departed the scene in 1998. It made the phrase "a good, small Buick" an oxymoron.

Now for the first time in nearly 15 years a small Buick returns to the fold. The all-new compact 2012 Verano sedan is the antithesis of the Skylark. The Verano, indeed, is a good small Buick, based on the Chevrolet Cruze/Chevrolet Volt platform.