2003 Buick Rendezvous Review Chicago IL

Rendezvous is spun off from the Chevrolet Venture minivan platform. Consider it a Pontiac Aztek (which is also Venture-derived) with a 3.9-inch-longer wheelbase and an infinitely more endearing exterior design in Chicago.

Local Companies

Rogers Buick
(312) 225-7477
2720 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL
D'Andrea Buick Pontiac Gmc
(773) 776-0500
7051 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL
Mizera Chevy Buick
(773) 353-1890
5333 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL
Castle Buick Pontiac
(708) 788-6200
6800 Ogden Ave
Berwyn, IL
Ray Buick Inc
(773) 767-8530
5011 W 63rd St
Chicago, IL
Jacob'S Twin Buick
(773) 889-3030
6750 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL
Castle Buick-Pontiac-Gmc
(708) 442-7474
7400 W Cermak Rd
North Riverside, IL
Mike Haggerty Pontiac Buick GMC Truck Inc
(708) 423-5000
9301 S Cicero Ave
Oak Lawn, IL
Ettleson Cadillac Buick
(708) 579-5000
6201 S La Grange Rd
Hodgkins, IL
Howard Buick Pontiac Gmc Inc
(630) 832-9500
364 W Grand Ave
Elmhurst, IL

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Consider this a fresh sprout on Buick's gnarly old tree. Without abandoning upscale (read "wealthy") customers, Buick hopes to lower the age of its client base by at least 15 years by offering its first "truck" (although the EPA classifies the Rendezvous as a special-purpose vehicle) since 1923.

Rendezvous is spun off from the Chevrolet Venture minivan platform. Consider it a Pontiac Aztek (which is also Venture-derived) with a 3.9-inch-longer wheelbase and an infinitely more endearing exterior design. The minivan origins yield a transverse engine orientation, primarily front-drive propulsion (with optional all-wheel drive), a low and flat floor, and somewhat awkward exterior proportions. The advantage is that this is a crossover SUV with a minivan's sense of interior space efficiency.

Contrary to all the equity invested in the 3800 V-6, Buick powers the Rendezvous with GM's lackluster 3400 V-6 engine, which is rated at a modest 185 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. (The larger 90-degree engine would have entailed a major architectural tear-up and delayed these "fast-track" engineering programs by several months.) Also missing is a modern 5-speed automatic transmission. Instead, Rendezvous uses a Hydra-matic 4T65E electronically controlled four-speed device. All-wheel drive (optional on the CX model and standard on the CXL) is the Puch-designed Versatrak. A rear driveshaft connects a power take-off unit on the transaxle to a rear-drive "module." Inside this unit are two georotor pumps, which pressurize fluid. In turn, this fluid engages the clutches that transfer power to the rear wheels. Versatrak is fully automatic and virtually transparent—no noticeable clunks or thuds during rear-wheel engagement.

Author: Don Sherman

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Featured Local Company

Rogers Buick

(312) 225-7477
2720 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL

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