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2004 Buick Rainier CXL Road Test

More Choice for GM Customers

Sometimes when an automaker comes to market with a new vehicle it just seems to fill a void that wasnt properly represented either by manufacturers as a whole or the particular brand itself. And then other times, Im left scratching my head in wonderment as to why it exists at all.

Take the new Buick Rainier. Is it nice? Yeah, its easily as good as the Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender and soon to be discontinued Oldsmobile Bravada, near identical siblings that each deserves respect. As it seems the General is taking brand engineering to a new level, a philosophy the worlds largest automaker promised years ago it would discontinue.

But why stop there, joining the Rainier will be the upcoming Saab 9-7 based once again on the same architecture.

General Motors is taking brand engineering to a new level with the Rainier and its SUV siblings. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

It is one thing to want to bolster sales in what was a bleeding Swedish brand when the concept was envisioned (its sales have since improved dramatically with the onset of the impressive 9-3), but to base Saabs first SUV on a body-on-frame truck platform is extremely difficult to understand. After all, it has to go up against a slew of Asian and European premium competitors including Volvos exceptionally good XC90.

So why so many virtually cloned SUVs? While Rainier

The 2004 Rainier features distinctive front end styling and a few unique interior surface treatments. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

features distinctive front end styling and a few unique interior surface treatments, its existence cant all be about appearances. What about luxury? Buick has a name for pampering its customers for sure, but the GMC Envoy offers levels of interior luxury easily on par with Buicks new entry.

OK, what about customers extremely loyal to the brand because of its stellar reliability record? Why not give them a large SUV? Thats good reasoning, and one that Im sure played an important part in GMs decision to build the Rainier.

The Rainier is the sport utility that Pontiac-Buick dealers have been longing for. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

But even more important are GM dealers that sell only Buick and Pontiac brands, none of which offered an SUV prior to the Rainier - crossovers such as the Rendezvous and Aztek not included. I dont know how many of GMs dealers are in such a predicament, as all Ive been able to check out in my town also offer GMCs. But if Pontiac-Buick dealers do exist no doubt theyve been screaming for an SUV for years, with others that are in the process of losing their Oldsmobile franchises demanding a Bravada replacement to fill the void. Jackpot! If there ever was a reason for the Rainiers existence, this is it.

So

GM engineered the Rainier to not only look different than its Envoy counterpart, from the front at least, but offer different driving dynamics too. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

now that Ive speculated on the reason for Buicks version of the Envoy, whats it like to drive? It would be easy to just end it hear with a "go to GMC Envoy road test" tagline but that wouldnt be fair. After all, GM engineered the Rainier to not only look different than its Envoy counterpart, from the front at least, but offer different driving dynamics too. Its ride seems softer and smoother, with the resultant compromise being squishier handling both on and off the road, despite its Bilstein shocks, 17-inch alloy wheels encircled with P245/65R17 front and P255/60R17 rear all-season Michelin tires - base RWD models receive P245/65R17 tires at all four corners. For me this isnt necessarily

The Rainier features 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, which on paper should help it stop much quicker than rival SUVs with rear drums. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

a positive step forward, but I can appreciate there are many that would take a comfortable ride over road-holding. The suspension system is independent all-round, with a sophisticated 5-link system in the rear, optimized by an even more sophisticated rear air suspension. The big difference between the Rainier and Envoy is that the "air springs" are standard (an upgrade on Envoy) replacing the usual coils found out back. They do a good job reducing road noise, as well as leveling off the rear end when loaded with cargo. I didnt try towing a trailer but can also imagine the benefits under load.

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