2004 Buick Rendezvous Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Buick Rendezvous from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous help you decide if a 2004 Buick Rendezvous is right for you.

2004 Buick Rendezvous Road Test

Pros	Cons

Interior storage space	Acceleration (3.4 liter)

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

	Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
4	4	5	4.8

Two-wheel-drive models don't labor quite like AWD versions, but no 3.4-liter Rendezvous is quick. Smooth 3.6-liter V6 markedly stronger in any situation.Transmission is mostly smooth and responsive.

Fuel Economy

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
5	5	5	3.8

Test AWD CXL averaged 19.7 mpg in mostly highway driving. Expect slightly less overall. Both engines use regular-grade fuel. Test Ultra averaged 13.6 mpg in all city driving.

Ride Quality

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
4	3	5	4.5

Bump absorption good on 2WD versions, only fair with AWD. On any, body rocks and sways on uneven surfaces, inducing undue floating. Stable at highway speed, but washboard surfaces trigger jiggly wheel patter. Ultra better composed than previous test vehicles, possibly due to its larger standard tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
3	3	4	3.7

Steering is vague, and early onset of body lean demands slowing way down for tight corners. With ABS, brakes are adequate but spongy; we haven't tested a 2WD CX without ABS. Versatrak unobtrusively sends power aft when front wheels start to slip, but in hard acceleration from a stop, front-drive models tug to the side with unwanted torque steer.

Quietness

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
5	5	5	4.4

Marked coarse-surface tire roar, especially from Ultra's standard sport-oriented touring tires. Wheezy full-throttle engine noise from 3.4-liter V6. More refined 3.6-liter V6 emits a refined growl under acceleration, is silent at highway speed. Wind-noise suppression just average.

Controls

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
5	5	5	6.2

Mostly well laid out, but odd turquoise-on-silver main-gauge markings are hard to read, and small graphics on CXL/Ultra's automatic climate display are an inconvenience. Interior decor is attractive at first glance, but close inspection reveals a mishmash of textures on knobs and control levers and flimsy plastic panels. GM's new combination navigation/audio system is a relatively easy-to-use mating of mapscreen, navigation functions, and radio controls.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
5	5	5	6.4

Good space and easy entry/exit for adults, though head room isn't generous if you're 6 ft or taller. Seats lack contour, softness, and comfort. Thick middle and rear roof pillars disrupt the view of surrounding traffic, and while we like large door mirrors, these are sized and placed to actually block the driver's vision to the front quarters.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
5	5	5	5.6

Second-row seats must be moved fully aft for decent adult leg space behind a tall front rider. There's little toe space beneath the front seats, and moving the 2nd-row back leaves virtually no knee clearance in the 3rd row. Overall, room may actually be best in the 3rd row, though neither rear bench offers much leg support. Available 2nd-row buckets are acceptably comfortable, but don't tip/fold to help 3rd-row access. Doors open wide to ease entry/exit, but are long enough to crowd things in tight parking spaces.

Cargo Room

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
9	9	9	7.8

Ample small-items storage and many load-carrying options. Barely enough room for grocery bags behind 3rd-row seat. Lowering tailgate takes muscle, but a pull-down strap eases closing. Fold the 3rd row and take out the manageably light 2nd-row seats and Rendezvous claims 108 cu ft of cargo room, most of any midsize SUV.

Value within Class

2WD CX	AWD CXL, 3.4 V6	Ultra	Class Average
3	3	4	5.1

Rendezvous is promoted as a lower-priced alternative to the Acura MDX and Lexus RX 330. Though the newly available 3.6-liter V6 is a boon to smoothness, Rendezvous still doesn't match other luxury SUVs for performance or refinement. It also trails top midsize SUV competitors, such as the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, in the same areas.

Total Score