Acceleration

CXL	Class Average
4	5.2

Adequate, though pales in comparison to best of intended competitors. Cooperative transmission operates smoothly.

Fuel Economy

CXL	Class Average
5	4

No opportunity to measure. Buick recommends regular-grade fuel for Rendezvous.

Ride Quality

CXL	Class Average
4	5.5

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

CXL	Class Average
3	4.5

Early onset of body lean, modest tire grip, and mediocre steering feel. Stopping power adequate but pedal feel is spongy. Fast takeoffs caused torque steer--unwanted pulling to the side.

Quietness

CXL	Class Average
5	5.6

Prominent coarse-surface tire roar, average wind-noise suppression. Some testers complained of a subtle, high-pitched whistle from dashboard area in one model tested.

Controls

CXL	Class Average
6	6.6

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)

CXL	Class Average
5	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)

CXL	Class Average
6	6.1

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

CXL	Class Average
9	8

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

CXL	Class Average
3	5.9

Buick pitches Rendezvous as a lower-priced alternative to premium SUVs such as the Acura MDX and Lexus RX. Rendezvous falls well short of the polished moves and high-end ambience of those premium SUVs, and it comes only with front-wheel drive for 2007. Note that Buick says this will be the final model year for Rendezvous.

Total Score

CXL	Class Average
50	58.4

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		48
Average Score		58
High Score		69