Buick Rendezvous: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Buick Rendezvous was offered in one generation from 2001 to 2007 as an SUV 5-doors, with eight listed versions. Choosing among them comes down to engine output, FWD or AWD, kerb weight, performance, and the limited fuel-consumption figures available. The strongest option is the 3.6 AT with 249 hp, while the lightest listed configurations weigh 1,860 kg.
The Buick Rendezvous was offered in one generation from 2001 to 2007 as an SUV 5-doors, with eight listed versions. Choosing among them comes down to engine output, FWD or AWD, kerb weight, performance, and the limited fuel-consumption figures available. The strongest option is the 3.6 AT with 249 hp, while the lightest listed configurations weigh 1,860 kg. Buyers prioritizing measured acceleration should examine the 3.5 AT with 204 hp and FWD; those wanting AWD can choose among 3.4 AT, 3.5 AT, and 3.6 AT versions.
Buick Rendezvous generations and versions
The Buick Rendezvous has one generation, produced from 2001 to 2007. This generation uses an SUV 5-doors body and contains eight listed versions. Because there is no second generation in the supplied data, the meaningful comparison is between engines, outputs, and drive systems within this single generation rather than between redesigns.
Repeated version names require attention. The four entries named 3.5 AT are distinguished by output and drive: 198 hp with AWD, 204 hp with FWD, and 246 hp with either FWD or AWD. Likewise, the 3.4 AT appears with 187 hp in both FWD and AWD forms, while the 3.6 AT produces 249 hp with either FWD or AWD.
Buick Rendezvous engine options and specs
Every listed Buick Rendezvous engine is Gasoline, naturally aspirated, V-shaped, and has 6 cylinders. Every version also uses an Automatic gearbox with 4 gears. The main differences are displacement, output, valve count, and drive.
| Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 AT, 187 hp, FWD | 187 hp (137 kW) at 5,200 rpm | 285 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 3,350 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| 3.5 AT, 246 hp, AWD | 246 hp (181 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 314 Nm at 3,200 rpm | 3,498 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| 3.5 AT, 246 hp, FWD | 246 hp (181 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 314 Nm at 3,200 rpm | 3,498 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| 3.6 AT, 249 hp, FWD | 249 hp (183 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 319 Nm at 3,200 rpm | 3,564 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| 3.6 AT, 249 hp, AWD | 249 hp (183 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 319 Nm at 3,200 rpm | 3,564 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| 3.4 AT, 187 hp, AWD | 187 hp (137 kW) at 5,200 rpm | 285 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 3,350 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| 3.5 AT, 198 hp, AWD | 198 hp (146 kW) at 5,600 rpm | 289 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 3,498 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| 3.5 AT, 204 hp, FWD | 204 hp (150 kW) at 5,600 rpm | 293 Nm at 4,400 rpm | 3,498 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
The 3.4 AT produces approximately 55.8 hp per litre. The 3.5 AT with 198 hp provides approximately 56.6 hp per litre, and the 3.5 AT with 204 hp raises that to approximately 58.3 hp per litre. The 246 hp 3.5 AT reaches approximately 70.3 hp per litre, narrowly exceeding the approximately 69.9 hp per litre of the 249 hp 3.6 AT.
The 246 hp 3.5 AT gains 42 hp and 21 Nm over the 204 hp 3.5 AT despite sharing the same 3,498 cc displacement. It also has 4 valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.2, compared with 2 valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.8 in the 204 hp version. The 3.6 AT adds only 3 hp and 5 Nm over the 246 hp 3.5 AT while increasing displacement by 66 cc.
Buick Rendezvous performance and fuel economy
| Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 AT, 187 hp, FWD | 10.9 s | 180 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.5 AT, 246 hp, AWD | not measured | 173 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.5 AT, 246 hp, FWD | not measured | 173 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.6 AT, 249 hp, FWD | not measured | 210 km/h | 13.8 l/100 km | 9.8 l/100 km | 11.2 l/100 km |
| 3.6 AT, 249 hp, AWD | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.4 AT, 187 hp, AWD | 11.4 s | 173 km/h | 13.1 l/100 km | 9.8 l/100 km | 11.2 l/100 km |
| 3.5 AT, 198 hp, AWD | 11.4 s | 173 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.5 AT, 204 hp, FWD | 9.9 s | 173 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Among versions with measured acceleration, the 3.5 AT with 204 hp and FWD is quickest at 9.9 seconds to 100 km/h. It is 1.0 second quicker than the 187 hp FWD 3.4 AT and 1.5 seconds quicker than both the 187 hp AWD 3.4 AT and the 198 hp AWD 3.5 AT.
The highest measured top speed belongs to the 249 hp FWD 3.6 AT at 210 km/h. That is 30 km/h above the 187 hp FWD 3.4 AT and 37 km/h above every version with a recorded 173 km/h maximum. Acceleration for both 3.6 AT versions is not measured, however, and the AWD 3.6 AT also has no measured top speed.
Fuel consumption is recorded for only two configurations. The 187 hp AWD 3.4 AT uses 13.1 l/100 km in the city, 9.8 l/100 km on the highway, and 11.2 l/100 km combined. The 249 hp FWD 3.6 AT uses 13.8 l/100 km in the city, 9.8 l/100 km on the highway, and 11.2 l/100 km combined. Thus, their measured highway and combined figures are identical, while the 3.6 AT consumes 0.7 l/100 km more in the city. Fuel consumption for all other versions is not measured.
Buick Rendezvous dimensions, weight, and capacity
Overall exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed Buick Rendezvous version. The available size-related specifications are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, and fuel-tank capacity.
| Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 AT, 187 hp, FWD | 1,860 kg | 2,450 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 3.5 AT, 246 hp, AWD | 1,960 kg | not measured | 177 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 3.5 AT, 246 hp, FWD | 1,890 kg | not measured | 177 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 3.6 AT, 249 hp, FWD | 1,900 kg | not measured | 177 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 3.6 AT, 249 hp, AWD | 1,900 kg | not measured | 177 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 3.4 AT, 187 hp, AWD | 1,930 kg | 2,520 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 3.5 AT, 198 hp, AWD | 1,930 kg | 2,440 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| 3.5 AT, 204 hp, FWD | 1,860 kg | 2,450 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
The 1,860 kg 3.5 AT with 204 hp and FWD has the best weight-to-power result among versions with measured acceleration, at approximately 9.1 kg per hp. The 1,860 kg 3.4 AT with 187 hp carries approximately 9.9 kg per hp. The 198 hp AWD 3.5 AT is approximately 9.7 kg per hp, whereas the 187 hp AWD 3.4 AT is approximately 10.3 kg per hp.
The higher-output engines improve this ratio substantially. The 246 hp FWD 3.5 AT is approximately 7.7 kg per hp, and its AWD counterpart is approximately 8.0 kg per hp. Both 249 hp 3.6 AT versions are approximately 7.6 kg per hp.
Comparing like engines reveals the AWD weight penalty most clearly. The 187 hp AWD 3.4 AT is 70 kg heavier than the FWD version. The 246 hp AWD 3.5 AT is also 70 kg heavier than its FWD equivalent. For the two 249 hp 3.6 AT entries, the recorded kerb weight is the same at 1,900 kg.
Which Buick Rendezvous version should you buy?
For the best acceleration supported by a measured figure, choose the 3.5 AT with 204 hp and FWD. Its 9.9-second 0–100 km/h result leads the versions with recorded acceleration, and its 1,860 kg kerb weight matches the lowest figure in the range. It also offers 17 hp and 8 Nm more than the 187 hp FWD 3.4 AT without adding kerb weight.
For the strongest specification and highest measured top speed, the 3.6 AT with 249 hp and FWD is the clearest choice. It delivers 319 Nm, reaches a measured 210 km/h, and weighs 1,900 kg. Against the 246 hp FWD 3.5 AT, it provides only 3 additional hp and 5 additional Nm while adding 10 kg, so the numerical advantage is small apart from its recorded top-speed result.
For AWD with the best power-to-weight figure, the 3.6 AT with 249 hp is the leading listed choice at approximately 7.6 kg per hp. Its acceleration, top speed, and fuel consumption are not measured, so those outcomes cannot be claimed from the available data. The 246 hp AWD 3.5 AT is the better-documented alternative for maximum speed, with 173 km/h recorded, but its acceleration and consumption remain not measured.
For an AWD version with measured fuel consumption, select the 3.4 AT with 187 hp. It records 13.1 l/100 km city, 9.8 l/100 km highway, and 11.2 l/100 km combined, plus an 11.4-second 0–100 km/h time. The 198 hp AWD 3.5 AT produces 11 hp and 4 Nm more at the same 1,930 kg kerb weight, but its fuel consumption is not measured and its recorded acceleration remains 11.4 seconds.
The data therefore favors the 204 hp FWD 3.5 AT for measured acceleration and low kerb weight, the 249 hp FWD 3.6 AT for maximum output and top speed, and the 249 hp AWD 3.6 AT when AWD and the strongest power-to-weight result matter most. Reliability, engine problems, engine oil, motor-mount replacement, interior specifications, exterior dimensions, wheel sizes, and sale prices are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot distinguish the versions here.