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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  Great car for travel! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Fred - September 3 - 4:09 pm

  Bought new in January,2005, our car now has 83,000 miles and has performed flawlessly. We have made several trips of more than 900 miles in one day with trade-off of drivers, and the comfort of its seats make that no problem. Mileage on trips is usually about 23 MPG, more at lower speeds. No repairs required except rear hubs became warped and noisy at 50,000 miles. Tires had to be replaced at 60,000 miles- good but not the 81,000 miles our 98 Oldsmobile van got. The interior design is very classy and car has many quality features. We wish GM would make more vans and not push everyone towards SUVs which are not nearly as economical and versatile.

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  Big mistake! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Dan - August 31 - 8:41 am

  I bought the van used in 2008 (58,000 mi.) Traded in Jeep Commander which just didnt have enough room for my family. Big Mistake! Nothing but problems. Drivers side power door had been "fixed" six times now. Yeah, right. Number seven is right around the corner. Tranny slipping horribly. Radio turns off by it self at random. Headlights flicker. Heated seats do not work anymore. Pass. power seat broken. Carpet stains very easy. Door handles break often. The only thing that works right is the DVD system. I have owned over 20 vehicles. This is the worst ever! And having major dealership problems now too.

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  CXL should mean Crap Xtra Large. - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Dan - August 30 - 1:00 pm

  I bought the van in Sept. 2008 to replace a Jeep Commander (Which I loved! But didnt have the room for 3 kids and all the stuff associated with them). I have to say, I am truly dissapointed with Buick and GM in general. I have had the van in the dealer 6 times for a reoccurring problem with drivers side power sliding door not closing and sending a constant alarm. Even when van is turned off, still alarms. Dealer DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT! Just keeps resetting an adjustment and Im back again a few months later. The service advisor told me today "There is a reason Buick stopped making this van, you should have read reviews before buying this piece of crap."

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  Terreza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Sara - August 9 - 4:20 pm

  I hate this car! I bought it used, but within 6 months I had lights coming on, and was told its a dirty sensor and to put $10 fuel additive in it every time I get gas, which is once a week. Now, Ive had it for 2 years, spent $1000 on fuel additive and more lights are coming on. The remote start stopped working, the gas gauge stopped working and guess what, warrantys expired. $1500 min if I want it fixed. I am looking to trade it in!

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  The Ultimate Minivan - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Brian - July 16 - 1:22 pm

  My wife swore she would never drive a minivan, unless it was a Buick. We have no regrets. Buick has done a terrific job building this classy, well built versatile vehicle.

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  2006 BUICK - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By MARY - June 21 - 3:02 pm

  2006 Buick Terraza must be one of Buicks worse vehicles, the back seats are not comfortable, only one arm rest per seat, what do you do with your other arm!!?? The Black dashboard makes the vehicle hotter, sometimes I think the air is not working.Makes load noise when turning corners . Head lights and interior lights sometimes dim. I would not buy another Buick.

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  Not a good choice - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By Calgary Alberta - June 14 - 9:17 pm

  Bought a used 3.9L V6 and Im very disappointed with this vehicle. I had alarm bells going off all the time with no indication of what was wrong. I finally figured out it had something to do with one of the automatic sliding doors. I also have some sort of inconsistent transmission problem. It either clunks into second gear or it shakes into second gear. Dealer figured out the computer chip needed an update to fix the alarm bells but they cant find anything wrong with the transmission. Its also a very noisy van. Lots of rattling and road noise. Ive owned lots of different makes of vehicles and will never go back to GM.

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  Its almost over! - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By Ron - May 24 - 8:54 am

  Getting ready to celebrate as are turning this thing in tomorrow off lease. We have disliked this vehicle from the start. It has been in multiple times for power sliding door, air conditioning problems. The heat or air have never seemed to work quite right and the interior just feels cheap. The back seat is a bear to take out and put back in. Also the tires are very worn @ 43k miles. Mechanically the vehicle is fine, its the problems above that have been annoying. We have owned several Buicks in the past and have been happy with the Buick line until this vehicle.

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  06 Terrazza with 3.9L V6 - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By mikeq - May 2 - 11:42 am

  Overall I think this is a good van. It has lots of room, very quite. Rides nice on highway. I have had no major problems, However Carl Black Buick performed some warranty work and did a very poor job.

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  No problems here - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By kirkdouglas - February 13 - 12:58 pm

  I Got this van at a low cost, so i was willing to check it out no matter what other people said in there reviews. I have to say that it has been nothing but good times for me and my family, no problems to speak about.