Overview & Reviews
When Buick decided to offer its first minivan, it attempted to minimize the associated stigma by labeling the Terraza, a badge-engineered General Motors minivan, a "luxury crossover sport van." In other words, the Terraza was a minivan featuring a taller stance, an elongated nose and available all-wheel drive. While it shared a platform with several corporate siblings such as the Chevrolet Uplander, the Buick Terraza offered a few distinguishing characteristics and styling tricks that lent an upscale feel in comparison. Nicely finished leather and wood trim in the uplevel versions provided an elegant ambience not seen in the Buick's more lowbrow relatives, and it came with more standard features as well.
But as minivans go, the Buick Terraza lagged behind the segment leaders (as well as newer true crossovers) in terms of driving refinement and safety features. Shoppers are advised to check out models such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna or even Buick's own Enclave before settling on this "luxury crossover sport van."
Most recent Buick Terraza
Buick introduced the Terraza in 2005 and discontinued it after the 2007 model year. At first, it had an underwhelming 3.5-liter V6 providing 200 horsepower matched to a four-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was optional. The Buick Terraza minivan came in three trim levels -- CX, CX Plus and CXL. The well-equipped CX offered the expected popular amenities, while the CX Plus added a sport-tuned suspension, dual-zone climate control and auto-leveling rear suspension. The top-of-the-line CXL provided alloy wheels, rear air-conditioning, rear parking assist and eight-way power front seats.
The Buick Terraza comfortably accommodated up to seven people and offered room for lots of stuff -- its second- and third-row seats folded down to provide up to 137 cubic feet of space. However, unlike most other minivans, the Terraza's third row did not fold completely into the floor, though it could be removed. The rest of the cabin was luxurious thanks to convincing faux wood and double-stitched leather seats with contrasting piping. A modular roof rail system allowed passengers to adjust the DVD player and storage compartment components, and folding center trays were located between the first- and second-row seats. There was also an available remote vehicle start system that enabled one to heat up or cool down the cabin before getting in.
Used-model shoppers might want to focus on 2006-and-later models, as these vans became available with first- and second-row side airbags inside and the more powerful 3.9-liter V6 under the hood of front-wheel-drive models. Rear DVD entertainment was made standard, and those wanting more choices could opt for the PhatNoise digital media system. All-wheel drive and the 3.5-liter V6 were dropped for 2007.
In reviews, we found the Buick Terraza's large V6 capable of delivering respectable acceleration around town and ample power for merging and passing at highway speeds despite its hefty mass. The suspension struck an acceptable balance between ride comfort and responsive handling, but other minivans offered sharper reflexes and a tighter turning radius. The Terraza's braking distances were also a little on the long side. And despite Buick's advertised "QuietTuning" technology, cabin noise levels were above average and not as whisper-quiet as we expected.
User Reviews:
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"The All New Lemon" by Buick - 2007 Buick Terraza
By Thomas - January 8 - 8:45 pmThis has to be the 2007 Edsel! Worst new vehicle weve ever owned. We bought the first one in January, and within a month had so many problems Buick bought it back. We got this one in April 07. As of year end 07 it has been in the shop over 150 days. The sliding doors are a nightmare. They are especially fun when they wont open or close at all and 5 people have to climb in and out of the rear liftgate. This is the 6th or 7th Buick auto weve owned over the years. No amount of money would ever put me in one of these things again though!
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Dont buy a Terraza - give me my Chrysler - 2006 Buick Terraza
By taylor72 - April 25 - 6:24 pmI was impressed by the name Buick and the incentives but after driving it for a few months and comparing it to my previous Dodge Grand Caravan, it isnt as roomy, its more difficult to get in and out of the back seat, it just isnt as nice inside and theres not as much room behind the 3rd seat. I just want my Chrysler minivan back.
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Vibration or shake - 2006 Buick Terraza
By Eugene J Seifert - February 7 - 10:41 amThis van has had vibration or shake from the first mile. Buick has tried to repair. Replaced tires 3.5 times. This helps but the problem is still there. Buick says this is acceptable and that all the Terraza have it. The van has been in the shop 6 times about 5 weeks total. It has less then 5000 miles on it
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Disappointed with roominess - 2007 Buick Terraza
By NOTIMPRESSED - September 12 - 1:02 pmI have only had this vehicle a few days, I previously drove a 2001 Olds Silhouette for the last 5 years. I want it back! The Interior of the new vehicle leaves much to be desired. Why mess with something you had almost perfect? The vehicles exterior dimensions did not change. However there is less leg room in the front, very little leg room between 2nd row. The 2nd row seats dont fold back. The sides of the car in the way (shoulder room lost 11 inches in 3rd seat. Why??) The trunk area lost at least 5 inches in depth as well as height. The worst problem of all is that you cant see out the back window using the rear view mirror. All the headrests are so high there is a very small viewing area. Very dangerous.
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Dont think I would buy another one - 2006 Buick Terraza
By KTA - July 6 - 8:36 pmPurchased van with 21,000 miles on it. (Program car). Ride was not as good as our old Pontiac Transport or my Chevrolet pickup. Very bumpy. Had to stop every 1 - 1 1/2 hours because back started to hurt even with adjusting the drivers seat.(No lumbar support). Gas mileage not as good as was told. 21 - 22 MPG on highway.
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Do not buy a Buick Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
By Lisa - June 21 - 2:29 pmThis vehicle has so many problems, weve had it in numerous times for the radio(4 times), the doors( could not get out of car, could not get in car you name it), noise coming from the front, lights flickering, door handles falling off, hatch falling on sons head, abs lights, traction control lights come on saying not working, but dealer can find nothing wrong. Do not buy this van.
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Worst I have ever owned - 2005 Buick Terraza
By bmgilb2036 - February 8 - 12:49 amThe only reason we bought this van was because of my wifes employee discount. The 3.5 engine has no torque and constantly has to down shift to pull small grades. Front leg room is adequate if you starred in the Wizard of Oz as the mayor. Access to the third row is great if your name is Pegleg with the table folded flat. The genius who designed the back up warning lights never put the DVD screen down or he would have noticed that it blocks the lights.The seat system is from 1998. There might as well be a semi trailer attached as you can not see out the back window since the head rests are the size of Montana. And finally, I wanted to trade it, but it depreciated by $13000 in 11 months. Trash
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Many, Many Problems - 2005 Buick Terraza
By Cat - October 20 - 10:14 amYes, it does look nice and have many nice features, but the problems (11) I have had for the past seven months far outweigh the good. Neither Buick nor the dealer will do anything to compensate me for my loss of security in this vehicle. it The last and biggest problem was while driving on a major highway on a crowded Saturday afternoon, the steering completely locked up, the traction control light and service stability system lights came on, I had no ability to steer, use the gas or brake, the van kept swerving from side to side. Cause is faulty steering wheel sensor, but because of the other problems that were supposedly fixed but werent, I will never feel safe in this vehicle again.
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DO NOT GET THIS VAN! - 2005 Buick Terraza
By Tony - October 13 - 1:30 pmThis van has been in the shop a total of 6 weeks! Problems that I have encountered include: Transmission...terrible gas mileage-13- 14MPG...wind noise to sliding doors and rattling...radio went out...problem with chasis and tie rod on wheel (2 weeks in shop)
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Like the look - but not the quality... - 2006 Buick Terraza
By heatherinraleighnc - September 27 - 3:09 pmTraded my Honda Oddessey in for this one because I really wanted a built in DVD and something a more luxurious than what I had and for the price thought it was a good deal. At 5,000 miles the engine stalled out on the highway. Buick ended up having to put a brand new engine in because the previous one wasnt put together properly. After a month I got it back. It drives fine, but every time I start it up it says "low oil pressure" on the dash.They cant figure out why - I have taken it in 2 times and they want me to bring it in again to run more tests. Buick did give me a new one to drive while mine was being fixed & gave me 1 month of payments on it for my hassle. Never had any issues w/my Honda.
