Overview & Reviews

At its debut for the 2002 model year, the Buick Rendezvous midsize crossover SUV was touted as a cross between a luxury sedan, an SUV and a minivan. But in reality, the Rendezvous didn't offer the level of interior design and driving excitement that luxury car buyers expected. And although Buick's crossover could seat up to seven and had the requisite fold-flat third-row seat, it was too small to appeal to minivan buyers, and it didn't have much of a styling advantage over them anyway.

An optional all-wheel-drive system made the Rendezvous a less costly alternative to true SUVs for buyers needing a snow vehicle, but otherwise this Buick wasn't particularly rugged. Over the years, the Rendezvous fell behind the rest of the crossover SUV crowd, which exploded into a very competitive market dominated by the leading import brands.

Rather than update the Rendezvous, Buick decided to halt production midway through the 2007 model year. For used car consumers who can accept the Rendezvous' faults, it could still prove to be an affordable, practical choice for a family vehicle. But we think the vast majority of shoppers would be better served by other, more refined crossovers, including Buick's own Enclave.

Most Recent Buick Rendezvous
Sold from 2002 through the first half of 2007, the Buick Rendezvous was typically offered in two basic trim levels, CX and CXL. There was also a high-line Rendezvous Ultra model in 2004 and '05. Since Buick considered the Rendezvous a premium crossover, even the base CX trim came with a decent list of standard features, including keyless entry, power accessories, air-conditioning and a CD player. The Rendezvous CX came with a five-passenger seating arrangement.

You could pick up a third-row seat on the CXL as a standard or optional feature, depending on the model year. This was also your ticket to leather upholstery, power front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, wood-tone cabin trim and alloy wheels. In addition to a more powerful engine, the Ultra model came with second-row captain's chairs (dropping seating capacity to six), satellite radio and a head-up display. These items were moved to the CXL's options list when the Ultra was discontinued.

But Buick stopped short of its competitors when it came to high-end amenities. Key safety features like ABS and front-seat side airbags were moved to the options list after the '02 model year, and items like stability control and side curtain airbags were never available. Buick did at least offer a DVD-based navigation system (starting in 2004) and a rear DVD entertainment system (starting in 2003) as options.

Although the Rendezvous' interior design and materials were better than most General Motors fare of the time, it wasn't quite up to import-brand standards. It was, however, one of the roomier crossover SUVs on the market, with plenty of passenger room in the front and back. It wasn't quite a minivan substitute, though, as the third row was best left to the kids. Cargo room was generous, too (with a maximum capacity of 109 cubic feet), though Buick's packaging of the third-row seat made for an uneven load floor.

Three different engines were offered on the Buick Rendezvous, and all were paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. For 2002 and '03, the only choice was a 3.4-liter V6 with 185 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration was sluggish, but fuel economy was above average for this class. In 2004 and '05, you could get either this engine or, on the Ultra model, a more sophisticated 3.6-liter DOHC V6 good for 245 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. For 2006, Buick replaced the old 3.4-liter with a more vigorous 3.5-liter V6 rated at 201 hp and 216 lb-ft of torque. It still wasn't a very refined engine for this class, but acceleration was improved. The 3.6-liter V6 remained optional for '06, but was discontinued at the end of the model year.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on all 2002 Rendezvous models, but lower-cost front-wheel-drive versions were added the following year. Oddly, AWD was discontinued altogether for 2007, making the Buick Rendezvous the only crossover SUV not to offer any kind of all-weather capability.

In road tests we found the Rendezvous similar to most other Buicks in its driving characteristics, which is to say it focused on comfort at the expense of road feel. The vehicle's handling was sloppy, with considerable body roll around most corners. Neither the 3.4-liter nor the 3.5-liter engine was particularly competitive when it came to response or refinement, and the four-speed automatic's wide gear ratios didn't take full advantage of the power reserves. Although Rendezvous models equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 still had this old-tech transmission, they felt much stronger during passing and merging maneuvers. The 3.6-liter's power delivery was smoother and quieter as well.

Consumer reviews of the Buick Rendezvous have generally been favorable, as owners are pleased with its combination of interior space, ride comfort, fuel economy and overall value. Resale value has never been a strong point for the Rendezvous, so if you're in need of an affordable family vehicle, it might be worth a look on the used car market. We'd advise you to zero in on 2004-'06 models equipped with the 3.6-liter V6.

User Reviews:

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  2004: New and Improved - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tim from WI - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Just bought a new, Rendezvous CXL AWD with the 3.6L engine. Always wanted a vous but didnt like the anemic 3.4L. The new engine is GREAT and well worth the wait..plenty of power/torque! The good news is that You dont have to buy the Ultra to get the larger engine.The larger engine is available on the CXL AWD for thousands less. For me, the CXL AWD is just as luxurious. The CXL shifts smoothly and has a quiet ride. For those of you that have complained about the gauges, the new heads-up display clearly displays the speed, turn signals and the radio station so you can keep your eyes on the road without having to look too far away.

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  Love my new car - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By contract employee - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I am a first-time SUV owner and love my Rendezvous. I considered several cars and SUVs before selecting Buick, and I couldnt be happier. It is very comfortable, provides a very smooth ride, looks great and it is everything I hoped an SUV would be. I dont think Ill drive a car again. I highly recommend the Buick Rendezvous.

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  Wont go the distance - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By buick - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Nice comfortable vehicle BUT DON"T be fooled. At 45000 out of warranty (Glad I got extended) had to replace radiator. Next got sever wind noise dealer said was design flaw after 4 service they finally replaced door hinges. At 48K left front wheel bearing at 54K right bearing and 56K stranded my wife. Thanx for Onstar. Dealers answer to compaints about cost ( Have 200 ded) was I should have know to take 0. By the way dealer has done all Maintenance. Front Brakes are $400 as pad are $120 and rotors can only be had at dealer. It is also underpowered and the interior is fallinf apart. Also value drops like a rock. DO NOT BUY this vehicle.

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  First Time Buick Buyer - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By brad110 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Quality of finish and fit is very good. Ride is good, but vehicle feels a little top-heavy.

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  New Experience - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By longo - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this 2004 Rendezvous for 2 weeks now and Im extremely disappointed. As a matter of fact For a car with a sticker price of $38,400 the car is horrible. The ride is noisy & sounds like youre sitting in a hollow drum. The fuel gage fluctuates dramatically, leaving you unsure of how much gas you have.I guess you have to be on flat ground to tell for sure) The power steering pump was defective from day one and has yet to be fixed. Ive been told repeatedly that there is nothing wrong with the fuel gage. I would not recommend this car to anyone, its not worth the money

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  Dont buy it! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
  By D.B. - August 1 - 2:00 am

  This expensive SUV is a dog with a jerky GM transmission, shoddy interior construction, high body repair costs, wrose-than-usual SUV rear blind spots, and a "tippy" high center of gravity. I inherited this from a relative, had to have a deep, long scratch on the drivers side repaired (total cost over $5K), and then traded it in (in excellent condition after repair, with low mileage) for $3000 less than Blue Book. Why do you think theyre giving $5000 rebates on the 2005s? Nobody will buy these things, and I wouldnt be suprised if they are discontinued soon. Its an Edsel, folks!

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  Rondevous CXL - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By Tony Miller - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Overall the vehicle has performed above expectations. Im very happy with the purchase, so happy Im purchasing the ulrea model next.

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  Test drive results - 2002 Buick Rendezvous
  By Wink - July 27 - 2:53 pm

  Test drove this vehicle. I like the inside "feel" of it better than any other SUV Ive driven in its price range. It drives comfortably in town. On the highway, road and tire noise are muted but there is an excessive (annoying) amount of wind noise. If they get the aerodynamics working a bit better, this will be a quiet vehicle. The biggest concern is reliability. While Buick LeSabres for example are known for their quality, the engine in this SUV is the same as that used in the Pontiac Aztec.

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  Nice Ride, but needs more power - 2004 Buick Rendezvous
  By wiseone - July 18 - 2:00 am

  The car provides a very smooth ride, but needs more power, especially during initial acceleration when trying to merge into traffic thats moving faster (like freeway entrance ramps). Would prefer if the rear captains chairs didnt have a headrest as the headrest on the right passenger side entirely obstructs the drivers view and creates a dangerous blindspot. Was also disappointed in the fuel economy. The Rendezvous gets worse gas mileage than my Chevy Silverado V8. For the money, though, you get a lot of bells and whistles.

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  nice buick - 2005 Buick Rendezvous
  By Bobby663 - July 14 - 4:53 am

  nice buick that shows much promise