An early Buick advertising campaign for the Rendezvous featured an image of different types of vehicles (an SUV, a luxury car and a minivan) driving into a spooky castle. A bolt of lightning hits, and out comes the Buick Rendezvous. An obvious reference to Frankenstein signals that Buick has taken different aspects of these vehicles and made it into one.
Beyond the hype, you'll find the Rendezvous to be a capable vehicle and people mover. Its problem lies in the fact that it doesn't excel in any one area or another. It holds seven, but minivans and other SUVs, like the Acura MDX and Mercury Mountaineer, do that as well. It has a nice interior, but only the top-level trim could be considered on par with its upscale competitors. It has the security of all-wheel drive, but so do many other minivans and SUVs. Unlike other multipurpose vehicles, which offer light off-roading ability, the Rendezvous isn't designed for anything more challenging than a gravel driveway. The Rendezvous does have a large cargo area when the seats aren't in use, but it's still less spacious than what a minivan would offer.
In short, the Buick offers a little of everything but not enough of any one aspect in particular for us to recommend it over other vehicles in the class. What it's left with is its price: The Rendezvous comes in at a couple of thousand dollars under comparably equipped competitors, so if you can live with some of its shortcomings, it may provide the combination of utility and comfort you're looking for at a reasonable price.
The Rendezvous comes in one basic trim level: CX, which is available with various packages. All Rendezvous models include the basics and then some, such as power windows, mirrors and locks; air conditioning; automatic headlights; a CD player; lumbar support for the driver and front passenger; rear parking sensors; OnStar; and a split-folding bench seat in the second row. Various package upgrades include leather upholstery, power seats and automatic climate control. Other options include a third-row seat, satellite radio, DVD-based entertainment and touchscreen navigation systems.
Antilock brakes, traction control and side airbags for front occupants are optional on the CX 2WD and standard on the CX AWD and CXL. The Rendezvous received an "Acceptable" rating (second highest) in 40-mph frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, and a perfect five-star rating in side-impact crash tests conducted by the NHTSA. In frontal-impact tests, it earned three stars for protection of the driver and four stars for the front passenger.
The Rendezvous offers an expansive cabin and serious cargo capacity. The interior design aims for an elegant, upscale look, and, to a certain degree, it succeeds. Materials quality is better than in most GM products and storage space up front is best in class. When it's time to work, Rendezvous is ready with up to 109 cubic feet of cargo volume and a 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity.
Although the Rendezvous' standard V6 engine moves the sport-ute with ease around town, acceleration at higher speeds could best be described as leisurely. The more powerful 3.6-liter V6 provides the kind of power you would expect from a vehicle in this category, as it's able to pass effortlessly at any speed. Highway cruising yields a comfortable ride quality without the typical "float" associated with some Buick sedans. Push the Rendezvous a little bit harder, however, and the physics of its tall, narrow body take over, resulting in considerably more body roll in corners. The all-wheel-drive system works well and is recommended for those living in areas with frequent wet weather.
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