2003 Buick Rendezvous Review Chicago IL

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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