Acceleration

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
4	4	5	4.9

The 3.4 V6 is adequate with 2WD, borderline pokey in heavier AWDs. The 3.6 V6 is strong enough for most any situation. Transmission dithers a bit on downshifts, but is acceptable overall.

Fuel Economy

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
5	5	4	3.9

Test AWD CXL with 3.4 V6 averaged 19.7 mpg in mostly highway driving; expect slightly less overall. Test AWD Ultra averaged 13.6 mpg in mostly city use; expect a bit more overall. Buick recommends regular-grade fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
4	4	4	5.1

Smooth, if the pavement is, but ride can be jiggly over small bumps. Uneven surfaces induce queasy rock-and-roll body motions.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
3	4	4	3.8

Safe and predictable, but modest tire grip, marked body lean even in low-effort cornering. Fast takeoffs can cause steering-wheel tug, even with AWD. Steering itself accurate, but has mediocre road feel. ABS provides adequate stopping power, but with spongy pedal action. No opportunity yet to test without ABS.

Quietness

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
5	5	6	4.8

Prominent coarse-surface tire roar, average wind noise. The 3.4 V6 is loud most of the time. More-refined 3.6 emits a nice growl at full throttle, is nicely subdued at highway speeds. Some testers complained of a subtle, high-pitched whistle from dashboard area.

Controls

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
6	6	6	6.3

Mostly user-friendly, but turquoise-on-silver main-gauge graphics hard to read. Ditto the small icons on CXL/Ultra's automatic climate display. Attractive cabin decor offsets a few hard-plastic sections with nice array of soft-touch surfaces. GM's navigation/audio system a relatively easy-to-use mating of map screen, navigation functions, and stereo controls.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
5	5	5	6.7

Adults enjoy easy entry/exit, good space, though head room only adequate for 6-footers. Some testers complained of too-soft seat padding; others griped about lumpy seat contouring. Thick middle and rear roof pillars impede visibility, but large door mirrors aid lane changes.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
6	6	6	6.2

Second-row seats must be fully aft for decent leg space behind a tall front rider--which leaves virtually no knee clearance in 3rd row. Neither rear bench offers much leg support or seat padding. Available 2nd-row buckets don't tip/fold for 3rd-row access--another major minus. Doors open wide, but are long enough to crowd things in tight parking spaces.

Cargo Room

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
9	9	9	7.8

Ample small-items storage and many load-carrying options, but only grocery-bag space behind 3rd-row seat. Liftgate takes muscle to lower, and its pull-down strap seems crude. Folding the 3rd row and taking out the manageably light 2nd-row seats leaves 108 cu ft of cargo room, tops among midsize SUVs.

Value within Class

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
3	3	4	5.6

Buick pitches Rendezvous as a lower-priced alternative to the likes of Acura MDX and Lexus RX. The refined 3.6 V6 supports the argument, but Rendezvous can't match the polished moves and high-end ambience of those rivals--and usually costs more than their less-glamorous sisters, the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

Total Score

2WD w/CX	AWD w/CXL	AWD w/Ultra	Class Average
50	51	53	55.1

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		37
Average Score		55
High Score		67