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When Toyota pulled the curtain on a new concept for its Lexus luxury division at the 1997 Chicago Auto Show, a hybrid sedan/sport-utility for those who wanted the all-season motoring of a four-wheel-drive sport-ute, but in a machine that rode and handled like a car, not a truck, the folks from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler chuckled.

Once the concept went into production as the Lexus RX300, the only ones laughing were those from Toyota and Lexus — all the way to the proverbial bank.

Now everyone wants a hybrid — even Buick, which is why it will begin offering the 2002 Rendezvous in the second quarter, its first so-called “truck” in 80 years.

Rendezvous is built off the same minivan platform as the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, yet it doesn’t look like a minivan or an Aztek, and more important, it doesn’t act like either one.

Aztek is the midsize Pontiac sport-ute aimed at the youth market, a rival to the Ford Escape for those who haul “stuff” and/or kids. Rendezvous is a new luxury SUV rival to the RX300, the best-selling vehicle in the Lexus lineup.

Aztek/Rendezvous share platforms, but each has its own personality: Aztek comes with liftout backpacks in the side doors and a center console that doubles as a portable cooler; Rendezvous comes with a compartment under the console to hide a purse and holders in the console to store cellphone and lap-top computer.

Aztek is fun, Rendezvous is function.

Rendezvous has a very important mission for Buick, a GM division whose owners average just older than 60. That’s to attract 35- to 49-year-olds into showrooms, a feat made even more important considering that its sister division Oldsmobile is being phased out though it had lowered the average age of its buyers to 49 today from 60 in 1996.

“Our research shows that Baby Boomers tend to buy SUVs and other trucks, and today’s market is about half trucks,” said Buick general manager Roger Adams in explaining why the luxury sedan builder soon will be hawking sport-utes.

“We’re counting on sales from loyal Buick owners but also hope to take some [Jeep] Grand Cherokees and [Ford] Expeditions out of garages,” said Jack Bowen, Rendezvous brand manager.

“Buick owners have a high percentage of truck mates in the garage next to their cars, but most don’t own a GM truck, sport-ute or van,” Bowen said. “Our dealers are hungry for their first SUV. There’s pent-up demand for it.”

Rendezvous will be offered in CX version with front-wheel-drive standard, all-wheel-drive Versatrak optional, and AWD standard in top-of-the-line CXL. The CX without AWD will offer optional traction control.

Rendezvous’ AWD system is just now coming to Aztek as an option and will next be added to the GM minivans for the 2002 model year.

Versatrak is an automatic system with no buttons to push. Though not meant for off-roading, Rendezvous took on the snow most admirably. An all-we ather commuter made for the Snow Belt.

We tested a CXL prototype with AWD, which Buick forecasts will account for about 70 percent of the 50,000 annual sales.

Though built off the same platform as Aztek, Rendezvous was stretched (112-inch wheelbase versus 108 on Aztek and 186.6 inches long versus 182.4 inches on Aztek) to provide more room andcomfort in keeping with the luxury image as well as to offer a third row seat to hold up to seven (standard in CXL, optional in CX, not available in the 5-passenger Aztek).

While Aztek has that weird rear end with creased hatchlid window, Rendezvous doesn’t, a styling point clearly in Rendezvous’ favor.

The Buick SUV is powered by a 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V-6 with a 4-speed automatic that’s rated at 19 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway with FWD, 17/22 m.p.g. with AWD.

The 3.4 delivers ample power when taking off from the light or merging into traffic. Some may argue that when seven folks are in the cabin — or two or three folks and all their luggage — you probably could use a little more muscle. Don’t be surprised if a higher-output engine is added, but not soon.

Buick’s goal was to come up with a civilized SUV, so Rendezvous suspension is tuned to deliver soft, luxury ride and handling minus the bumping and bouncing common with many truck-like sport-utes. While Aztek performs on the firm side, Rendezvous acts more like a LeSabre sedan, thanks in large part to its independent rear suspension.

Rendezvous combines the attributes of a minivan, the ability to haul lots of people and their possessions, with those of a sport-utility, all-wheel-drive for all-season motoring.

Though it comes with AWD, Rendezvous sits low enough to the ground to provide easy entry/exit without having to jump into or out of the seat. And sitting low means you don’t feel top heavy or wobbly in corners or turns.

Some nice touches include the fold-down footrests for second-row passengers; park assist, sonar sensors in the rear bumper that sound a warning when backing too close to an object; push-button rear hatchlid opener in the dash; power plug and air compressor in the cargo hold; and, of course, the phone/laptop computer holders in the center console along with two power plugs and the purse bin under the console.

With all those holders, the center console blocks any walkway between front and second row seats like you’d find in a minivan. But Bowen notes: “Rendezvous is for those who’ve had minivans, want to move on and don’t need walk-throughs, sliding side doors or baby seats.”

There’s not much cargo room behind the third seat. But pull the release lever and that seat folds flush with the rear floor to expand cargo capability. If even more room is needed, the second-row seats can be reclined or removed. To get in the third row, the second-row seats fold forward to provide an aisle.

Rendezvous comes with a head-up display in the lower windshield to provide digital readings for speedometer, low-fuel warning, radio frequency and CD number and track.

An OnStar emergency communications system is a factory-installed option. There’s no navigation system or Night Vision heat imaging system like offered at Cadillac — for now.

A couple of gripes. Though made of a molded plastic, the hatchlid feels a tad heavy and the antenna lodged in the windshield looks a little unsightly. Some may argue the huge outside mirrors resemble “elephant ears,” but we’ll take big outside mirrors and their increased side and rear vision over the more fashionable but harder to see out of petite mirrors any time. And the mirrors are the favored foldaways, not the solid, knock ’em downs.

There’s no firm price yet since Rendezvous doesn’t go on sale until the second quarter, but the speculation is that it will start at $3,000 to $5,000 less than the Lexus or about $30,000.

Standard equipment includ es dual-stage (inflation speed based on speed of impact) front and side air bags; four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock; 16-inch, all-season radial tires; air conditioning; AM/FM stereo with CD player; roof rack; keyless entry; tilt steering; power windows/locks/mirrors; and six cupholders — even with seven-passenger seating.

Optons include an automatic level control, tire inflation monitor, trailer towing package to handle up to 3,500 pounds and rear cargo storage compartment to hide camera or sports gear.

First to take possession of a Rendezvous will be golfer and Buick spokesman Tiger Woods.

The plant in Mexico that builds Rendezvous/Aztek can produce 175,000 to 200,000 vehicles annually. With Aztek accounting for about 25,000 and Rendezvous about 50,000, either GM expects sales to skyrocket or it expects to add more hybrids on that line. Watch for the latter.

2002 Buick Rendezvous
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 186.5 inches
Engine:3.4-liter, 185-h.p. V-6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Fuel economy: 19 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway with FWD
Pluses: Stylish people hauler with room like a wagon without looking like one. Same platform as Pontiac Aztek without acting like one because it’s tuned for luxury ride and handling. AWD for all-season motoring yet low step in/out height. Appreciated amenities such as hidden purse/cell phone/personal computer holders.
Minuses: Heavy rear hatch lid. Unsightly antenna in windshield. Outside mirrors look like elephant ears, but do serve a useful purpose. With full load and/or steep hills, some may argue about V-6 muscle.