The Buick Skyhawk is a compact car built from 1981 to 1990 over 3 generations. Between 1975 and 1988 it grew 6 cm longer and gained -278 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Skyhawk is
The Buick Skyhawk is a compact car that Buick built from 1981 to 1990 — 10 model years. Our measurements put it at 3 generations, the current one starting in 1987. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Buick range: Skylark, Verano, Somerset.
Skyhawk generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Skyhawk's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Skyhawk that gives 3 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-1980 | 455 cm | 246 cm | 1367 kg | - | - |
| 1982-1986 | 445 cm | 257 cm | - | -10 cm | - |
| 1987-1988 | 461 cm | 257 cm | 1089 kg | +16 cm | - |
Between 1975 and 1988 the Skyhawk gained 6 cm in length (+1.3%) and -278 kg in weight (-20.3%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Skyhawk that is -278 kg against 6 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Buick Skyhawk tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Skyhawk owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Buick Skyhawk have? Power & range
The Buick Skyhawk is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Buick Skyhawk, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Skyhawk by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Buick Skyhawk. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Skyhawk | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 20 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 9 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Buick Skyhawk?
The Skyhawk is a compact car, built from 1981 to 1990 across 3 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
How many generations does the Skyhawk have?
3 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1987. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Skyhawk grew 6 cm longer and gained -278 kg.
What is the Buick Skyhawk warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Skyhawk reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Skyhawk?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Buick
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Enclave | 2007–2026 | 57 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Buick Envista | 2024–2026 | 4 | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Buick Encore | 2013–2026 | 42 | 30 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Buick Envision | 2016–2026 | 16 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Buick LaCrosse | 2005–2019 | 44 | 29 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Buick Regal | 1981–2020 | 173 | 29 mpg | 4.0/5 |