- suv 107,534
- 834 below average
- 4,995 good
- Dekalb, IL
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- autoshopper.com
- 834 below average suv 107,534
2005 buick rainier review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Smooth, quiet, and highly capable. introductionthe buick rainier shares its body shell and mechanical platform with gm's other mid-size suvs, the chevrolet trailblazer and gmc envoy. Rainier rides more smoothly than the other gm models, and it's among the quietest suvs we've driven. Rainier has a uniquely buick style and a near-luxury sensibility. Yet it still seats five and boasts an engine powerful enough to pull a boat or horse trailer. as with the gmc envoy, however, choosing the rainier (especially the six-cylinder model) over the corresponding chevy may be mostly a matter of image. Just as the gmc badge stands for serious trucks, the buick name has, for over a century now, meant arrival at a certain station in life, an achievement of an elevated socio-economic plateau. From the aptly named roadmasters of the 1930s-50s, through the sculptured rivieras of the '60s, a buick has been about stepping up from the ordinary. The driver-information center monitors 13 on-board systems, a center console houses front and rear cupholders, and an overhead console includes a digital recorder, homelink garage-door transmitter, and onstar button to access one year of safe & sound service. The electrochromic rearview mirror features a compass. Traction control is standard on 2wd models. the standard engine is gm's highly regarded vortec 4200, an inline-6 that provides an impressive 275 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Other options include power adjustable pedals 150), heated front seats 275), side-curtain airbags 495), chrome side steps 450), luggage rack 45), and a cargo storage system 165). New for 2005 is an optional etr am/fm stereo 135) with cd/mp3 player, speed-compensated volume, theftlock, auto-reverse cassette and radio data system (rds). safety features abound. Available head-curtain side airbags 495) act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the a-pillar and side window header. When the bag deploys in a moderate to severe side impact, it is angled somewhat toward the window to help provide protection for front- and second-row outboard passengers. One of the rainier's designers told us that mount rainier 'reflects majesty with ruggedness and independence,' while the late grace kelly and her husband's family symbolize 'quality, sophistication and elegance.' the buick rainier is based on the gm360 platform, a mid-size, truck-based suv also marketed as the chevrolet trailblazer, gmc envoy, and isuzu ascender. It's a solid platform featuring a frame that incorporates hydroformed steel members for optimum strength and rigidity. This strong frame helps rainier tow up to 6,700 pounds. rainier features unique styling cues to differentiate it from the other gm models, including a distinct grille, hood, front quarter panels and rear hatch door. Its large, oval-shaped grille helps soften the boxy suv architecture. The upper section of the chrome grille provides a bold background for the buick name, with a large buick tri-shield badge set in the midst of the grille's vertical bars. The rainier's face also includes wide, three-element headlamps, with separate fog lights and side marker lights in the lower front fascia. A creased hood lends an elegant strength to the rainier's appearance. rainier's stance is enhanced by buick-exclusive, eight-spoke brushed aluminum wheels. Six-spoke aluminum wheels with a polished finish have been added as an option on 2005 models. The rear liftgate features a separate glass hatch to offer quick access to the cargo area. Lifting the rear hatch requires some initial effort, however. interiorbuick has upgraded the rainier's interior for 2005, with real wood and leather trim on the steering wheel, a woodgrain gearshift lever, and additional chrome accents. Rainier's interior disappointed us last year, with its obviously fake woodgrain and distinctly plebian plastics. While the gmc envoy has very attractive, metallic colored heating and cooling outlets, the up-market rainier's are color-matched to the instrument panel and comparatively plain. Nor are rainier's cupholders of the jumbo-size we've found in competitive vehicles. On the other hand, there are two power outlets up front, so both driver and passenger can recharge their cell phones and power other devices. the standard leather seats are ventilated by perforations in the center back and lower cushion areas, but the material almost looks more like vinyl than leather. Also, the seats could use more side support. However, we do like the feature that incorporates the shoulder belt into the seat back rather than having it mounted way up on the door pillar. we also liked the instrument cluster, with its platinum-colored gauge faces and turquoise pointers that almost appear to light up against the metallic background. Not only are these gauges very attractive, but we found them easy to read, even through polarized sunglasses, which is certainly not the case with the electroluminescent gauge clusters on many other so-called luxury vehicles. another nice feature is the large dot matrix shield on the windshield above the rear-view mirror and between the sun visors that helps block direct sunlight through this usually neglected gap. However, there's plenty of cargo room behind them: 39. 8 cubic feet, in fact. When more cargo capacity is needed, the split rear seats can be folded forward to open up to 80. 1 cubic feet of interior cavern. driving impressionthe six-cylinder engine that comes standard on the rainier is a wonderful engine, delivering plenty of power, as we've seen in the gmc envoy and chevrolet trailblazer. Called the vortec 4200, it's an inline-6, a classic design with inherent balance. The vortec 4200 has been engineered to deliver power across a wide range of engine speeds, giving it responsive acceleration in all driving situations. the optional v8, however, provides much better acceleration. This very likely is the quietest body-on-frame suv we've ever driven. Buick used the lexus lx 470 as the target for rainier, but we think rainier itself sets a new benchmark when it comes to a quiet cabin. Double-pane, laminated glass was used for the windshield and front doors; acoustical foam sound-deadening material was used liberally to fill the doors, roof pillars and other empty spaces in the body. rainier rides on an independent double a-arm front suspension, and a live rear axle with electroni. AM/FM✔ Bucket Seats✔ Power Windows✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Changer✔ Leather Seats✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ MP3 Player✔ Aluminum Wheels
4,995 Dekalb, ILDekalb, IL at autoshopper.com