Quality and comfort with a dash of upscale luxury are Buick trademarks, and these characteristics are carried through to the 2005 Buick Rainier, a mid-size SUV with two rows of seats and loaded features. More luxury cargo hauler than off-road adventurer, the 2005 Rainier is hardly as imposing a figure as the mountain for which it's named, and probably more resembles the elegant Prince of Monaco. The one CXL trim is available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and is standard with a 4.2-liter, 275-hp V6 engine and 4-speed automatic.
New in 2005, the 5.3-liter V8 boosts its horsepower by 10 up to 300-hp. The interior gets a bit of a restyling as well, due to complaints about how cheap and slap-dash the materials looked. Faux wood trim gets replaced by real wood on the steering wheel and shifter, and there are more chrome adornments. Though mid-sized, this SUV has only two rows of seats, thereby increasing legroom and storage capacity. An overhead console, as well as an optional cargo organizer for the trunk add versatility. The rear seats do fold up to increase space, but depending on how far the driver's seat is pushed back, they may not fold up all the way. ABS brakes, automatic load-leveling, and front airbags are standard and there is an option for side curtain airbags, though many owners feel these should be standard.
QuietTuning is a highly touted feature of the 2005 Rainier, as it helps to reduce wind and road noise considerably. Drivers attest to the quiet ride which adds to the overall comfort. Though the AWD is helpful in rough weather, this SUV isn't so much made for rugged activty as it is for hauling stuff around in comfort. As such, all the standard luxury features are a big hit with owners. Handling is easy and the V8 power is nice, though if you want to save on gas, the V6 is adequate. Cupholders are poorly placed next to the shifter and dismal gas mileage is a disappointment, though to be expected with an SUV.
