2006 Buick Rendezvous Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

A more powerful base engine and added standard equipment mark 2006 for Buick's crossover SUV. Rendezvous seats up to seven and shares a basic platform with Buick's Terraza minivan. Rendezvous seats five with a standard three-place 2nd-row split bench seat that slides fore and aft. A two-passenger 3rd-row seat is optional, as are twin bucket seats to replace the 2nd-row bench. Rendezvous offers front-wheel drive with optional traction control or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Newly standard is a 195-hp 3.5-liter V6, replacing a 185-hp 3.4. Optional is a 242-hp 3.6 V6. Both use a 4-speed automatic transmission. OnStar assistance is newly standard. ABS and front side airbags are optional; no curtain side airbags are offered.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota 4Runner.

New or significantly redesigned models include Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Pontiac Torrent, and Subaru B9 Tribeca.

News

Buick's version of the late Pontiac Aztec will be stepping aside for the 2008 Enclave, a new and larger car-type crossover wagon due in the first half of 2007. A recent concept preview is said to be very close to the final product except for some interior features. Buick confirms V6 and possibly V8 power, a choice front-wheel and all-wheel drive, and three-row seating. We should be getting more on Enclave soon, so keep checking back with us.

2006 Buick Rendezvous Road Test

Pros	Cons

Interior storage space	Acceleration (195-hp)

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

	Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
4	4	5	5

No opportunity yet to test with 195-hp V6. Stronger 242-hp V6 responsive enough for most situations. Transmission delivers adequate downshifts.

Fuel Economy

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
5	5	4	3.8

Test AWD with 3.4 V6 averaged 19.7 mpg in mostly highway driving. Test AWD 3.6 averaged 13.6 mpg in mostly city use. Buick recommends regular-grade fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
4	4	4	5.4

Fair bump absorption, but body rocks, sways on uneven surfaces, inducing undue floating and residual motions. Stable on smooth highways, but washboard surfaces trigger jiggly wheel patter.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
3	4	4	4.1

Early onset of body lean, modest tire grip, and mediocre steering feel. With ABS, stopping power adequate but pedal feel is spongy; no opportunity to test without ABS. Even with AWD, fast takeoffs caused torque steer--unwanted pulling to the side.

Quietness

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
5	5	6	5.2

Prominent coarse-surface tire roar, average wind-noise suppression. Refined 242-hp V6 emits a nice growl at full throttle, is subdued at highway speed. Some testers complained of a subtle, high-pitched whistle from dashboard area in one model tested.

Controls

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
6	6	6	6.3

Mostly well laid out, but some dashboard markings hard to read. Interior decor attractive and balances some hard plastic sections with 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	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
5	5	5	6.7

Good space and easy entry/exit for adults, though head room isn't generous for those over 6 ft tall. Some testers complain of too-soft padding, lumpy contours. Visibility impeded by thick middle and rear roof pillars, is offset by large door mirrors.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
6	6	6	6.2

Toe, leg space tight for adults. Moving 2nd-row back leaves little knee space in 3rd row. Rear benches have little leg support. Available 2nd-row buckets 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	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
9	9	9	8.3

Many load-carrying options, but barely enough room for grocery bags behind 3rd-row seat. Lowering liftgate takes muscle. Ample small-item storage.

Value within Class

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
3	3	4	5.7

Buick pitches Rendezvous as a lower-priced alternative to premium SUVs such as the Acura MDX and Lexus RX. GM's 3.6-liter engine is as refined as any competitor's V6, but Rendezvous falls well short of the polished moves and high-end ambience of premium SUVs, while generally costing more than stellar midsize competitors such as the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

Total Score

2WD	AWD	AWD, 3.6 V6	Class Average
50	51	53	56.7

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		43
Average Score		56
High Score		66

2006 Buick Rendezvous Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 07/11/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD 4-door wagon	$24,280	$22,702	$710

AWD 4-door wagon	$27,780	$25,974	$710

Price note: All models require an Option Pkg.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

2WD

Powertrain

3.5-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, OnStar assistance system w/one year service, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, 2nd-row adjustable and split folding seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, illuminated driver-side visor mirror, passenger-side visor mirror , map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, rear privacy glass, roof rails, 225/60R17 tires.

AWD adds to FWD:

Powertrain

All-wheel drive.

Safety

Front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
CX Option Pkg. 1SA
2WD, AWD	$0	$0
Standard equipment.

CX Plus Option Pkg. 1SB
2WD	$770	$639
AWD	$790	$656
Rear-obstacle-detection system, tire-pressure monitor (AWD), dual-zone manual climate controls, driver information center (trip computer, compass), programmable door locks, rear storage system, alarm, alloy wheels.

CXL Option Pkg. 1SC
2WD	$4,650	$3,890
AWD	$3,525	$2,956
Traction control (2WD), antilock 4-wheel disc brakes (2WD), front side airbags (2WD), tire-pressure monitor, rear-obstacle-detection system, dual-zone automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, 6-way power front seats, stowable 3rd-row seat, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, woodgrain interior trim, heated power mirrors, programmable door locks, AM/FM/cassette/CD player w/steering-wheel and rear-seat controls, driver information center (trip computer, compass), universal garage door opener, illuminated passenger-side visor mirror, alarm, alloy wheels.

CXL Plus Option Pkg. 1SD
2WD	$7,735	$6,450
AWD	$6,610	$5,516
CXL Option Pkg. 1SC plus 3.6-liter V6 engine, heated front seats, driver-seat and mirror memory, satellite radio (requires monthly fee after 3rd month).

CX Luxury Pkg.
w/CX Pkg. 1SA	$2,150	$1,785
w/CX Pkg. 1SB	$1,825	$1,515
6-way power driver seat, stowable 3rd-row seat, steering wheel radio controls, woodgrain interior trim, chrome alloy wheels.

CXL Luxury Pkg.
2WD, AWD	$2,345	$1,946
Power sunroof, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, chrome alloy wheels. Requires CXL Option Pkg. 1SC or CXL Plus Option Pkg. 1SD.

Trailer Tow Pkg.
2WD, AWD	$395	$328
Heavy-duty engine cooling and alternator, air-inflator kit, load-leveling suspension, wiring harness. NA w/CX Option Pkg. 1SA.

Powertrain
3.6-liter V6 engine
w/CXL Pkg. 1SC	$2,025	$1,681


Traction control
2WD w/CX Pkg.	$175	$145
Includes tire-pressure monitor. Requires antilock brakes.

Safety
Front side airbags
2WD w/CX Pkg.	$350	$291
Requires antilock brakes.

Antilock brakes
2WD w/CX Pkg.	$600	$498


Comfort and Convenience Features
DVD entertainment system
2WD, AWD	$1,295	$1,075
Requires CXL Pkg. NA w/power sunroof.

Navigation system
w/CXL Pkg.	$1,995	$1,656
w/CXL Luxury Pkg.	$1,600	$1,328
Includes CD player. CXL deletes cassette player. CXL w/Luxury Pkg. deletes in-dash 6-disc CD changer. NA w/AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
w/CX Pkg. 1SB	$350	$291


AM/FM radio w/6-disc CD changer
w/CXL Pkg.	$395	$328


Satellite radio
2WD, AWD	$325	$270
Requires monthly service fee after 3rd month. NA w/CX Option Pkg. 1SA.

Satellite radio delete
w/CLX Plus Pkg. 1SD (credit)	$-325	$-270


Steering wheel radio controls
w/CX Pkg.	$125	$104


Rear radio controls
w/CX Pkg. 1SB	$105	$87


Head-up instrument display
w/CXL Pkg.	$350	$291


Power sunroof
2WD, AWD	$800	$664
CX Pkg. requires universal garage door opener.

Universal garage door opener
w/CX Pkg.	$110	$91
Requires power sunroof.

Heated front seats
w/CXL Pkg.	$275	$228
Requires driver-seat and mirror memory.

6-way power driver seat
w/CX Pkg.	$275	$228


Driver-seat and mirror memory
w/CXL Pkg.	$250	$208
Requires heated front seats.

Stowable 3rd-row seat
w/CX Pkg.	$525	$436
Deletes rear storage system. CX Option Pkg. 1SA. requires alloy wheels.

2nd-row captain chairs
2WD, AWD	$395	$328
Requires stowable 3rd-row seat. NA w/CX Option Pkg. 1SA.

Leather upholstery
2WD, AWD	$1,280	$1,062
Includes 6-way power front seats. Requires CX Plus Option Pkg. 1SB. 2WD requires antilock brakes, front side airbags.

Woodgrain interior trim
w/CX Pkg.	$400	$332
Includes wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel. Requires steering-wheel radio controls.

Cargo cover
2WD, AWD	$30	$25


Cargo net
2WD, AWD	$45	$37


Cargo mat
w/CX Pkg.	$70	$58
NA w/3rd-row seat.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
2WD, AWD	$50	$42


Roof rack
2WD, AWD	$175	$145
NA w/CX Option Pkg. 1SA.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Trailer hitch
2WD, AWD	$337	$280
Requires Trailer Tow Pkg. NA w/CX Option Pkg. 1SA.

Alloy wheels
w/CX Pkg. 1SA	$325	$270


Chrome alloy wheels
w/CXL Pkg.	$650	$540
CXL Pkg. 1SC requires 3.6-liter V6 engine.

2006 Buick Rendezvous Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Buick Rendezvous 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	112.2

Overall Length, in.	186.5

Overall Width, in.	73.6

Overall Height, in.	68.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	4250

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	108.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.0

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	40.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.5

Rear Head Room, in.	40.1

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /213	3.6 /217

Horsepower @ rpm.	195 @ 5200	242 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	215 @ 4000	232 @ 3500

Availability	Standard	Optional

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/23	18/25

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Buick Rendezvous 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Mexico

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

< 2006 Buick Rendezvous Photos

Also in the 2006 Buick Rendezvous Review:

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