Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Upper Premium
Production years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Designed as an upscale version for the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, the Rainier was one of the last efforts made by Buick to enter the premium SUV segment.
With an increased demand for mid-size SUVs, GM tried to provide more of them under different brands. As a result, badge engineering was on its hike. Besides the Chevy TrailBlazer, the Saab 9-7X, the Oldsmobile Bravada, and the GMC Envoy, it also built the Buick Rainier. Even though it was short-lived, it proved worthy for some customers. But not in big enough numbers to keep the model and the brand alive.
Sporting a more rounded front fascia than its siblings, the Rainier featured a grille that sported chromed surroundings, making it look oval. Its headlights were unique, giving the car a modern appearance, much more commanding than those installed on the TrailBlazer. The car's profile was similar to its siblings, but it sported body-colored cladding on the door panels.
Inside, there was a clear sign of transition toward the premium segment. The wood trims on the center stack and door cards gave customers a luxurious feeling. Moreover, the leather-wrapped interior featured a pair of bucket seats at the front and a split-folding rear bench fitted for two. Although three people could sit in there, with little elbow- and shoulder room.
Under the hood, GM installed the same powerplants as on the TrailBlazer: an inline-six and a V8. The mid-size SUV was already available with either rear- or all-wheel drive. So the Rainier benefited from the same drivetrains.
ENGINE SPECS - 4.2L 4AT RWD (279 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 4160 cm3 |
Power: | 205 KW @ 6000 RPM 279 HP @ 6000 RPM 275 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 275 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 373 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 109 mph (175 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 245/65 R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 193.4 in (4912 mm) |
Width: | 75.4 in (1915 mm) |
Height: | 71.9 in (1826 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.1/62.1 in (1,603/1,577 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.7 in (196 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 39.8 cuFT (1127 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4433.1 lbs (2011 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5545 lbs (2515 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 16 mpg US (14.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 311 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 5.3L 4AT AWD (305 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 5328 cm3 |
Power: | 224 KW @ 5200 RPM 305 HP @ 5200 RPM 300 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 330 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 447 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 245/65 R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 193.4 in (4912 mm) |
Width: | 75.4 in (1915 mm) |
Height: | 71.9 in (1826 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.1/62.1 in (1,603/1,577 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.7 in (196 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 39.8 cuFT (1127 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4442 lbs (2015 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 14 mpg US (16.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 5.3L 4AT RWD (305 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 5328 cm3 |
Power: | 224 KW @ 5200 RPM 305 HP @ 5200 RPM 300 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 330 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 447 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 245/65 R17 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 193.4 in (4912 mm) |
Width: | 75.4 in (1915 mm) |
Height: | 71.9 in (1826 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 63.1/62.1 in (1,603/1,577 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 113 in (2870 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.7 in (196 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 39.8 cuFT (1127 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 4442 lbs (2015 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15 mpg US (15.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 19 mpg US (12.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 17 mpg US (13.8 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 329 g/km |