GM made a little bit of history with its introduction of the mid-size SUV Buick Rainier. Built on the same truck platform as the Envoy and Trailblazer, the Rainier is Buick's first official truck since the 1920s. And though it comes standard with a 4.2 V6, it also offers a 5.3 V8, raising its towing capacity to a very satisfying 6700 tons.
The Rainier is only a 5-passenger SUV, however. Unlike the Envoy and Trailblazer, it does not come in an extended 3-row length. This makes it unique, in that it offers the V8 power in a regular wheelbase model, whereas its competitors only offer it in the extended forms. A 60/40 split-fold rear seat does allow for more storage space and versatility.
Though it's named after a pretty tall and rugged mountain, and it comes with both all-wheel and rear-wheel drive configurations, the Rainier is not so much an off-roading adventure SUV. It tries to offer all the utility and power, but in a nicer, more comfortable package than its competitors. You'll find leather seats, OnStar, dual climate control, and wood and chrome trimmings to all be standard. A navigation system and DVD player are options. The Buick Rainier is also the first Buick to use the new Quiet Tuning system, which uses thicker padding, seals, and insulation to block out road noise. The Rainier never really found its niche in the SUV market, despite being the first truck-based Buick in almost a century. It lasted for only four years, and will be replaced in 2008 by a new crossover vehicle, the Buick Enclave.