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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  My car is great - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By donald szanyi - August 21 - 3:55 am

  This is the very best automobile I have ever owned. I am 56 years old. I have had 5 Chrysler minivans and they do not compare to this van in comfort or style.

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  Great van - 2007 Buick Terraza
  By adam - August 14 - 1:17 am

  Its a great van to drive. I love mine. Im 18 years old and in a wheelchair, and this is the van my parents got for me. Its more like an SUV than a van.

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  Pros and Cons to the Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Stephen Shorter - July 15 - 10:14 pm

  The Terraza rides great, has very comfortable seats, and drives very well. However, the drivers side sliding door rattles even after three attempts to the dealer to fix it. I have found the carpeting to be subpar for a Buick. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible to clean. I recommend Scotchgarding the carpet on day one. We owned two Chrysler Town and Country vans prior to the Buick. I must say the Chryslers were superior to the Buick, although the Buick rides better and has more comfortable seats. In summary - some aspects of the Terraza we really like and some we dont.

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  Dont think I would buy another one - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By KTA - July 6 - 8:36 pm

  Purchased 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 pm

  This 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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  2005 Buick Terraza - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Shannon - June 7 - 8:28 am

  Weve only had our Terraza for a couple of weeks so far, and we bought it NEW (though it is a 2005) off of the showroom floor with 51 miles on it. We have been really happy with it so far. As far as vans go, its easy to drive and very comfortable for our family. We really enjoy the extras that came with it. DVD system, XM radio, dual climate controls, back-up assist, OnStar, security system, and the very beautiful and classy interior. Its obvious that our boys love both power side doors and the IR headphones. There is just as much (or more) leg room in the second and third row seats as there is in my parents brand new 2007 Yukon Denali and more storage space than their Yukon!

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  Why NOT buy American? - 2006 Buick Terraza
  By George - February 28 - 7:21 am

  The Terraza by Buick, is a perfect example of an auto that is quiet (quietest Ive ever been in), plush, driver friendly, reliable, and has a great deal of thought put into it to please the American driver. This is truly the finest car Ive ever owned (Ive owned over 300 cars) right out of the box. It is the ultimate in versatile. You can haul a piano, or a family, or your mother in law, or the groceries, and go to dinner or the theater in elegant style. Auto level control, power everything, towability, and pure comfort style and grace...it has all that and more. And LOOKS GREAT.

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  This van works! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By RC - February 20 - 4:38 am

  This van works. Buick gives you lots of extras as standard items that you would have to pay more for on the imports. Don’t believe consumer reports on the ride quality and noise of the engine, they tested the Saturn version only, not the Buick! Buick differs from the other GM siblings with an independent rear suspension and also quiet tuning and a more refined 3.5L engine. This van is as plush as a Lexus. My wife and I drove 12 hrs in the Van from Oregon to California with a 12 yr old, 8 yr old, new born, mother-in-law and dog in comfort. The kids put the DVD on with headphones and all was quiet. Got to San Jose in great shape!! The Van passed with flying colors.

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  Love the Terraza!! - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By Paul McCauley - February 9 - 3:49 pm

  I have recently purchased this van and my wife and I LOVE IT!! I am very confused with the reviews concerning the van not having enough power and wonder what some people expect. We have driven the van in a mountainous area and never felt the power was inadequate, but then again I did not expect a sports car to haul my family around in. The interior is well laid and loaded with bells and whistles (most of which are easy to understand). This van rides very nice and has performed wonderfully on several long distance trips. We have averaged 25 mpg on the highway and are ecstatic with these numbers. So far after 8K miles we are very pleased and would highly recommend the Terraza to others.

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  Worst I have ever owned - 2005 Buick Terraza
  By bmgilb2036 - February 8 - 12:49 am

  The 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