Driving Impressions

Despite structural similarities to the wildly styled Pontiac Aztek, Buick's crossover model has a personality of its own. Automatic-transmission responses are quick and easy. Acceleration is good, if not exactly inspiring. The Rendezvous runs very quietly and offers plenty of versatile space. The gauges are notable in appearance, but they're not the easiest to read at a glance.

The Rendezvous delivers a generally soft ride, but its suspension hits some bumps rather hard. Handling is reasonably precise with good steering feel and feedback, very much like what drivers might expect from a minivan.

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    Turn and Lane-Change Signals
    An arrow on the instrument panel cluster flashes in the direction of the turn or lane change. For vehicles with the side blind zone alert system, an arrow in the outside mirror flashes when ...

    Air Conditioning Mode
    This allows selection of automatic start of the air conditioning upon vehicle start. Selecting On indicates the air conditioning will be on when the vehicle is started. Selecting Off turns t ...

    Entering the Personalization Menus
    1. Press CONFIG to access the Configuration Settings menu. 2. Turn the TUNE/MENU knob to highlight Vehicle Settings. Press the CONFIG button until Vehicle is highlighted on vehicles with a navigati ...