Buick Rendezvous: Орташа өлшемді кроссовер SUV

The Buick Rendezvous is a mid size crossover SUV that was sold by Buick for the 2002–2007 model years. Introduced in the spring of 2001, the Buick Rendezvous and its corporate cousin, the Pontiac Aztek, were GM's first entries into the crossover SUV segment. The Rendezvous featured a four speed automatic transmission with a V6 engine and optional all wheel drive (Versatrak). The SUV used the same platform as GM's short wheelbase minivans, the Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana. The Rendezvous provided a passenger and load carrying capacity not seen in the Buick lineup since the discontinuation of the Buick Roadmaster Estate station wagon in 1996.

It was Buick's first truck in its lineup since 1923, and the Rendezvous was billed as a combination of the best attributes of a minivan (large cargo capacity, seating for up to seven), a luxury automobile (ride, handling, smoothness) and a sport utility vehicle (truck styling and available all wheel drive). The Rendezvous was produced at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe, Mexico assembly plant, where it shared an assembly line with the Pontiac Aztek. Like the Pontiac Aztek, the Buick Rendezvous is based on a shortened version of GM's second generation U platform minivans. In lieu of four wheel drive, the Rendezvous offered Versatrak, a full time, fully automatic all wheel drive system which provided sure footed traction in inclement weather and could handle moderate off road surfaces. Buick benchmarked their Park Avenue sedan as the prototypical target for ride and handling for the Rendezvous. In order to provide a luxurious and responsive car like ride, all Rendezvous came equipped with a fully independent rear suspension system regardless of optional content or trim level. The Rendezvous' instrument cluster detailing featured teal illuminated needles and numbers set in a silver face accented by chrome trim rings that was meant to evoke the luxurious look and feel of an expensive watch or designer bracelet. On the uplevel CXL model, a driver information center on the instrument panel provided the outside temperature, compass functions, a trip computer that included readings of fuel economy, range and fuel used. An optional second generation heads up display was also available. This was also available in the CX model. An optional tire inflation monitoring system provided readings of tire pressure and warned if out of the specified range. The Rendezvous boasted the ability to carry seven passengers when equipped with a third row bench, a class leading feature that Buick brought to market before its competitors, and was able to carry within its interior a standard 4 x 8' sheet of plywood. In support of the Rendezvous' intended role as a versatile accoutrement for busy people with families, it provided a center console with storage space and power points for a laptop computer as well as a separate spots to hold a purse, a cell phone, pager or other small items that the owner would want to keep organized and readily accessible as well as an optional rear cargo organizer system and rear seat stereo system controls with headsets.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives Rendezvous an overall Acceptable rating in its frontal offset crash test for fair structure performance and fair dummy control. However, the IIHS did not perform a side impact test on the Rendezvous.

The Rendezvous was a badly needed success for Buick, given the decline of its aging customer base, and singlehandedly brought a large number of younger, wealthier "conquest" buyers into Buick showrooms who otherwise would not have considered purchasing a Buick. A major contributor to the Rendezvous's success was an aggressive value pricing strategy that made the Rendezvous US$6,500 less than a comparably equipped Acura MDX and US$8,000 less than the Lexus RX. The Rendezvous handily exceeded GM's predictions of 30,000 to 40,000 units a year by a large margin, which helped offset the poor sales of the Pontiac Aztek with which it shared its Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, assembly line.

Front turn signal/parking lights changed to clear from the previously used amber. The Ultra was added as a top line model, with all comfort options standard, 17 inch aluminum wheels, leather and ultrasuede seating as well as a theft deterrent system. OnStar is now available on the Rendezvous as an optional feature.

The Ultra was available with front wheel drive. The 3.6 L V6 was now an option for the front wheel drive CXL. Received chrome Buick tri shield steering wheel. Leather wrapped steering wheel standard.