Buick Rendezvous
Manufacturer:	General Motors
Production:	2002–2007
Successor:	Buick Enclave
Class:	Crossover SUV
Body style:	4-door wagon
Platform:	FF/AWD U-body
Engine:	3.4 L LA1 3400 V6 3.6 L LY7 High Feature V6
Wheelbase:	112.0 in (2845 mm)
Length:	186.5 in (4737 mm)
Width:	73.6 in (1869 mm)
Height:	68.9 in (1750 mm)
Curb weight:	4024–4272 lb (1825–1938 kg)
Related:	Chevrolet Uplander Pontiac Montana Pontiac Aztek Buick Terraza Saturn Relay
Similar:	Chrysler Pacifica Mercury Mariner Nissan Pathfinder Toyota Highlander

The Buick Rendezvous, introduced in the spring of 2001 as a 2002 model year vehicle and produced through the present, is a sport utility vehicle produced by the Buick division of General Motors. Image File history File links 2002 Buick Rendezvous This image was issued by the manufacturer of the subject as a part of promotional press kit(s), and was intended to provide pre-made, royalty-free, high quality photography to accompany both print and electronic articles written about the manufacturer and... Automakers or automobile manufacturers are companies that design and manufacture automobiles. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest automaker and has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. ... The Saturn Outlook (and similar GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave) is a crossover SUV which will be launched in late 2006 for the 2007 model year. ... Car classification is a somewhat subjective subject, as many vehicles fall between classes or even outside all of them. ... The Honda CR-V is a crossover SUV based on the Honda Civic platform. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... In automobile design, an FF, or Front-engine, Front wheel drive, layout places both the engine and driven wheels at the front of the vehicle. ... Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ... The U platform is a generic name for General Motors minivan platform. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Internal combustion engine. ... The General Motors 60° V6 family of engines began with the 1980 Chevrolet 2. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... The 3600 LY7 (and derivative LP1) are members of General Motors new High Feature (or HFV6) engine family of modern DOHC V6s. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Curb weight or kerb weight is the total weight of an automobile with standard equipment, oil, lubricants, coolant, a full tank of fuel and not loaded with either passengers or cargo. ... The Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan from General Motors. ... The Montana is a minivan from the Pontiac division of General Motors. ... The Pontiac Aztek, introduced late in the 2001 model year and produced through the 2005 model year, is a mid-size Crossover SUV produced by the General Motors marque Pontiac. ... The Chevrolet Uplander is a minivan from General Motors. ... // 2005 The Saturn Relay is a minivan from General Motors Saturn brand. ... Chrysler Pacifica The Chrysler Pacifica is a crossover SUV from DaimlerChrysler. ... Ford Motor Companys Escape debuted in 2001 as an entry level SUV, priced below the Ford Explorer. ... The Nissan Pathfinder and Terrano are midsize SUVs. ... under the hood of a Highlander The Toyota Highlander (called Kluger in Japan and Australia) is a model of SUV assembled by Toyota Motor Corp. ... The model year of a product is a number used to describe approximately when a product was produced. ... This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this. ... Buick is a brand of automobile built in the United States, Canada, and China by General Motors Corporation. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest automaker and has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. ...

Background

Given the fact that the vast majority of SUVs were rarely taken off-pavement by their owners, much less driven under serious off-road conditions, a new type of car-based "crossover SUV" was developed that was hoped would provide all the elements that customers actually wanted from their SUVs such as cargo carrying capacity, elevated seating height and the suggestion of an active outdoor lifestyle with less of the negative attributes typically associated with traditional SUVs such as poor gas mileage, uncomfortable ride, high step-in height, propensity to roll over, etc. The formula of a car-based "soft-road" luxury SUV had proven marketable by the highly successful Lexus RX300 and was thought to be a promising new market category for Buick to exploit within this extremely profitable portion of the ever-expanding SUV category. First-generation Harrier (xxU1x-series) Second-generation RX300 (xCU3x-series) See also Lexus RX 400h/Toyota Harrier Hybrid The Lexus RX series, RX300 and RX330 (North American markets only), is a crossover SUV produced by Toyota Motor Corporation. ...

Technology and notable features

2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL Interior

2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL Dashboard

2004 Buick Rendezvous Ultra

Post-facelift Buick Rendezvous

Buick's first truck in its lineup since 1923, 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). Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 165 KB)2002 Buick Rendezvous With Seven Passenger Option Package This image was issued by the manufacturer of the subject as a part of promotional press kit(s), and was intended to provide pre-made, royalty-free, high quality photography... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 165 KB)2002 Buick Rendezvous With Seven Passenger Option Package This image was issued by the manufacturer of the subject as a part of promotional press kit(s), and was intended to provide pre-made, royalty-free, high quality photography... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 147 KB)2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL Cockpit This image was issued by the manufacturer of the subject as a part of promotional press kit(s), and was intended to provide pre-made, royalty-free, high quality photography to accompany both... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 147 KB)2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL Cockpit This image was issued by the manufacturer of the subject as a part of promotional press kit(s), and was intended to provide pre-made, royalty-free, high quality photography to accompany both... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 118 KB)2004 Buick Rendezvous Ultra This image was issued by the manufacturer of the subject as a part of promotional press kit(s), and was intended to provide pre-made, royalty-free, high quality photography to accompany both print... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 118 KB)2004 Buick Rendezvous Ultra This image was issued by the manufacturer of the subject as a part of promotional press kit(s), and was intended to provide pre-made, royalty-free, high quality photography to accompany both print... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x663, 102 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Buick Rendezvous Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1200x663, 102 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Buick Rendezvous Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... A modern minivan - 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Typical early minivan (a Dodge Caravan) A minivan, people carrier, multi utility vehicle (MUV),or multi purpose vehicle (MPV) is a type of vehicle which has a body that resembles a van, but which has rear side doors, rear side windows, and interior... A luxury good is a good at the highest end of the market in terms of quality and price. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ...

The Rendezvous was produced at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe, Mexico assembly plant, where it shared an assembly line with the Pontiac Aztek. Ramos Arizpe is a city in the Mexican state of Coahuila. ... The Pontiac Aztek, introduced late in the 2001 model year and produced through the 2005 model year, is a mid-size Crossover SUV produced by the General Motors marque Pontiac. ...

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 the snow and wet could handle moderate off-road surfaces, but was not meant for boulder-climbing Rubicon Trail-type activities. Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ... Also known as the McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road, The Rubicon Jeep Trail is located in the California High Sierra due west of Lake Tahoe & appx 80 miles east of Sacramento. ...

Like the Pontiac Aztek, the Buick Rendezvous is based on a shortened version of GM's 2nd generation U platform minivans. The U platform is a generic name for General Motors minivan platform. ...

Buick benchmarked their Park Avenue luxury 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. A benchmark is a point of reference for a measurement. ... The Park Avenue was Buicks flagship sedan. ... An Independent Suspension is an automobile suspension system that allows the wheels on an axle to move independent of each other. ...

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. Chrome may refer to: Chrome is a song from Debbie Harrys debut solo album Koo Koo. ...

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.

The Rendezvous is able to carry within its interior the proverbial 4'x 8' sheet of plywood, a common and useful task most of its competitors are unable to perform. Model constructed from plywood. ...

In support of the Rendezvous' intended role as a versatile accoutrement for busy, upper-middle class 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 woman's 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 middle class (or middle classes) comprises a social group once defined by exception as an intermediate social class between the nobility and the peasantry. ... A Toshiba Qosmio G20 desktop replacement laptop with a 17 inch screen. ...

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. A trip computer is an onboard computer device fitted to cars which can generally record distance travelled, average speed, average fuel consumption, and display real time fuel consumption information. ... For other meanings of Hud, see this article A Rafale fighter of the FS Charles de Gaulle, seen through the HUD of another Rafale. ...

An optional tire inflation monitoring system provided readings of tire pressure and warned if out of the specified range was a clever feature in the wake of the Ford Explorer/Firestone debacle that was in large part attributable to underinflated tires. The Ford Explorer is a mid-size sport utility vehicle sold mostly in North America built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990 and still in production as of 2006. ... Firestone tire The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was founded by Harvey Firestone in the late 19th century to supply pneumatic tires for wagons, buggies, and other forms of wheeled transportation common in the era. ... In May 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Ford and Firestone about the high incidence of tire failure on Ford Explorers fitted with Firestone tires. ...

Sales success

The Rendezvous was a badly needed success for Buick, given the literal die-off of its aging customer base, and singlehandedly brought a large number of younger, wealthier "conquest" buyers into Buick showrooms who otherwise wouldn't have considered purchasing a Buick.

Certainly a major contributor to the Rendezvous's success was an aggressive value-pricing strategy that made the Rendezvous $6,500 less than a comparably equipped Acura MDX and $8,000 less than the Lexus RX300. The Acura MDX (Honda MDX in Japan and Australia) is a midsize SUV built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. ...

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.

Replacements

Rumours have been consisting of moving the Rendezvous to the Theta platform, and continuing as Buick's entry-level SUV. However, the 2008 Buick Enclave will replace the Rendezvous. Theta is General Motors new crossover SUV automobile platform. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Saturn Outlook (and similar GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave) is a crossover SUV which will be launched in late 2006 for the 2007 model year. ...

Year to year changes 2002–2005

2002

• All new model available in base "CX" or uplevel "CXL" trim, either equipped with front wheel drive or all wheel drive.

2003

• A DVD entertainment system and XM satellite radio were added to the options list.

DVD (also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound quality. ... XM may stand for: XM Satellite Radio, a United States broadcasting company. ... A satellite radio or subscription radio (SR) is a digital radio that receives signals broadcast by communications satellite, which covers a much wider geographical range than terrestrial radio signals. ...

2004

• Front turn signal/parking lights changed to clear from the previously used amber.
• A new trim level, called the "Ultra" was added as the top-of-the-line model, with all comfort options on the lesser models as standard, standard Versatrak all wheel drive as well as a monochromatic color scheme with a body-colored grille, 17" aluminum wheels, leather and ultrasuede seating and a theft deterrent system as well as GM's then-new 245 hp 3.6 L LY7 High Feature 3.6 (217 in³)V6 engine that debuted in the Cadillac CTS.
• A 3.6 L LY7 High Feature 3.6 (217 in³)V6 engine was added as an option for the all wheel drive "CXL" level Rendezvous.
• A wood package consisting of mahogany trim on the steering wheel, dashboard, console and doors was made optional on "CXL" models and was standard on the "Ultra".
• An optional touchscreen satellite navigation system was added to the options list.

Turn signals (US English) or indicators (British English) are a set of lights on a vehicle (be it a car, truck/lorry, tractor, motorcycle, etc. ... Something which is monochromatic has a single color. ... Modern leather-working tools Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides, pelts and skins of animals, primarily cows. ... The 3600 LY7 (and derivative LP1) are members of General Motors new High Feature (or HFV6) engine family of modern DOHC V6s. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... The CTS is Cadillacs luxury sports sedan. ... The 3600 LY7 (and derivative LP1) are members of General Motors new High Feature (or HFV6) engine family of modern DOHC V6s. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ... The name mahogany was first used for wood of Swietenia mahagoni, later also for the wood of the closely related Swietenia macrophylla. ... Podium touchscreen Touchscreens, touch screens, touch panels or touchscreen panels are display overlays which are typically either pressure-sensitive (resistive), electrically-sensitive (capacitive), acoustically-sensitive (SAW - surface acoustic wave) or photo-sensitive (infra-red). ... Satellite navigation systems use radio time signals transmitted by satellites to enable mobile receivers on the ground to determine their exact location. ...

2005

• "Ultra" model available with front wheel drive.
• The 3.6 L LY7 High Feature 3.6 (217 in³)V6 engine was newly available as an option for the front wheel drive "CXL" level Rendezvous.

Front wheel drive is the most common form of engine/transmission layout used in modern passenger cars, where the engine drives the front wheels. ... The 3600 LY7 (and derivative LP1) are members of General Motors new High Feature (or HFV6) engine family of modern DOHC V6s. ... The Ford Essex V6 engine V6 and V-6 redirect here. ...

Production