Home » Car Reviews » Buick » Previous Models » Buick Rendezvous » 2003 Buick Rendezvous Mid-Size, 5-door, SUV
2003 Buick Rendezvous Mid-Size, 5-door, SUV
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Automatic Versatrak detects tire rotational differences between front and rear wheels during low-traction conditions, then sends the engine's power to drive either or both rear wheels momentarily before actual tire slippage occurs at the front wheels. This keeps the wagon moving forward steadily and safely during low-traction incidents.
Both traction editions of Rendezvous derive power from the same engine, a 3.4-liter V6 from General Motors that produces 185-hp at 5,200 rpm plus 210 lb-ft of torque muscle at 4,000 rpm.
A smooth four-speed automatic transaxle with electronic controls -- GM's Hydra-Matic 4T65E -- links to the engine in all issues.
Chassis for Buick's SUV and most of the mechanical elements including engine and transaxle were requisitioned from GM minivans like Venture by Chevrolet and Montana from Pontiac. As a result, Rendezvous possesses the agility of a minivan, but its hiked stance and boxy packaging enable it to function like a sport-ute.
And despite a foundation lifted from minivans, Rendezvous reveals not a hint of minivan styling.
Actually, it looks sleek like a sedan because a wagon's boxy rear bay is disguised due to blacked-out center roof pillars and a forward tilt of back pillars plus wrap-around black glass at rear corners.
The wide stance with wheels pushed to corners of the platform and curt overhangs front and back create a solid form that appears rooted to the pavement.
Up front, the forceful design of the prow merges a broad oval grille cut from thin vertical bars with corner headlamp clusters that curve up into the hood. Below, a thick fascia of contrasting color thrusts forward and contains round foglamps before wrapping around to side wheelwells and extending in a band underscoring the doors.
In back, a wide red lamp strip divides the flip-up liftgate with a window above and painted panel below. The door, constructed from composite material, weighs only 36 pounds and gets a boost from hydraulic struts so it's a snap to swing up high, and a new design for an integrated handle makes it easy to grip.
For effortless access, the optional electronic liftgate release mechanism adds a button switch for unlocking and automatically lifting the gate using only one finger.
