No Aztek ; Buick builds it better.(Buick Rendezvous)(Brief Article)

YES, THE RENDEZVOUS SHARES A PLATform with Pontiac's much-maligned Aztek. But never have two GM relatives been so different. And not for a long while has a Buick been this-should we say it?-good.

Our staff universally liked the Rendezvous' looks, especially an interior that's not only modern and attractive, but of a consistent design quality that's rare in domestic vehicles. Bonus points to the designers for making a quasi-truck that truly is a Buick, understated yet stylish in its conservatism. No, you're not going to get a Rendezvous in Fire Engine Yellow or Italian Exotic Red, but you will see a wide range of earth tones from which to pick its muted two-tone color. It's this paint scheme that's responsible for making the larger Rendezvous actually look smaller than

the Aztek.

Yet it's the largeness of the Rendezvous that makes it handle better than its shorter-wheelbase cousin. Neither suspension is going to be confused with that of a BMW X5, but the Rendezvous' 112.2-inch wheelbase does smooth out what on the Aztek can be a choppy ride. It also allows Rendezvous to handle a third row of seats. While adults are difficult to fit in the way back, owners noted the third-row's utility for child hauling.

Any other sort of hauling is another story, as GM's ancient, 3.4-liter push-rod V6 is deficient in moving the Rendezvous' own bulk, let alone a boat or ...