Buick minivan ready to go

Terraza loaded for family trips, game tailgating, or grocery store

By RUSS DEVAULT

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

July 8, 2005

ATLANTA — General Motors and its various divisions have trailed Chrysler in the race for minivan appeal and customers since the MoPar crowd triggered the boom in 1984. Now — years after many buyers traded in their vans on SUVs — the General is launching some new and more competitive models.

One of the first of what GM labels "crossover sport vans" to arrive is the Buick Terraza. The test CXL, built in Doraville, turned out to be a comfortable, roomy ride with generally well-behaved road manners.

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The CXL is the line-topping trim level — the other is the CX — had seating for seven occupants — captain's chairs for four of them — with plenty of storage areas and at least 12 drink holders (some may have gone uncounted).

What the test CXL didn't have was a lot of power to haul around people and cargo. Its 3.5-liter V-6 engine has 200 hp and 220 pounds-feet of torque, but add several people and their possessions to its 4,500 pounds of curb weight and the Terraza CXL isn't going to start any trip with a sprint.

Fortunately for the folks behind the Terraza and its sibling Saturn Relay, minivan buyers aren't usually concerned with enthusiast performance, although some buyers may wish for better performance in EPA testing (18 and 24 mpg regular unleaded for the Terraza). Still, its V-6 is well-matched to a four-speed transmission that can be controlled by the driver. Except in creep-along traffic, the test Terraza's semimanual shift feature was used about 70 percent of the time. It makes for reasonably smooth shift and does provide driver control.

The exterior of the Terraza, which is Buick and Saturn's first minivan, is about as middle-of-the-road as its drivetrain. Like other minivans, the Terraza is basically a box with roof rails. One of several laudable features of the test CXL proved to be its power sliding doors — just tug at them a little and they'll glide open or shut with a safety stop in case anyone or anything gets in the way of their closing.

The interior of the test CXL obviously represented what Buick hopes its upscale buyers will want in the way of features, both standard and optional. In addition to the bevy of drink holders, the tester had a good optionally upgraded CD/MP3/DVD system with a rear screen and eight speakers.

The sound was good, and it seems likely many owners will like the commercial-free XM radio enough to subscribe when the three-month freebie that comes with the Terraza expires. It's addictive.

Other interior features include basic white on black instrumentation, simple controls, leather and plastic, good visibility and room to be comfortable. It's a true seven-passenger vehicle.

The interior, in short, is traditional van in layout and design. The outside tries for an SUV look with an aggressive front end, but the long slab sides say minivan. As other reviewers have pointed out, GM and Buick can call the Terraza whatever they like, but anyone who looks at it is going to think "van" — and that's not really such a bad thing, is it?

SPECS:

•  Test vehicle: The 2005 Buick Terraza CXL front-drive van

•  Price as tested: $33,330 (base price: $31,170 plus $715 delivery)

•  Drivetrain: 3.5 liter V-6 engine (200 hp); four-speed automatic transmission

• Safety features: dual-stage front air bags with occupant-sensing passenger air bag; side-impact air bags; stability and traction control systems with automatic leveling system with inflation feature; power anti-lock disc brakes; rear-obstacle parking alert; one-year OnStar system for obtaining information, roadside assistance and emergency services (fee thereafter)

•  Other standard features include: power sliding doors; front dual-zone manual climate control system with rear air conditioner; analog instrumentation with tachometer, 56 messages driver information readout with trip computer and compass; heated folding mirrors; power front and rear-quarter vent windows; power locks with keyless entry system; seven-passenger leather seating with four captain's chairs, driver's seat memory and split folding rear bench; center front console with tray; CD/MP3/DVD stereo/entertainment system with rear screen and eight speakers; tilt/telescope steering wheel with stereo controls; dealer-installed overhead rail system with storage and first aid kit; cruise control; 115-volt power outlet; 12 drink holders; removable rear cargo tray; rear wiper/washer with defogger; rooftop luggage rails; 17-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60 all-season tires with temporary spare

•  Options on test vehicle: 17-inch chrome aluminum wheels, $650; XM satellite radio with three-month subscription (fee thereafter), $325; upgraded CD/DVD system with six-disc CD changer with MP3 player, $295; remote starting system, $175

•  EPA figures: 18 mpg regular unleaded city; 24 mpg highway