Sometimes being a lazy know-it-all gets me into trouble.
This time it was with the Ranier, the new sports utility vehicle from Buick that is based on GM’s short wheel base, mid-sized architecture.
It is the same platform used by TrailBlazer, Envoy and Bravada. My mistake was assuming that the Ranier would have enough Buick in it so that only 80-year-old dentists or doctors would be interested in peering through the steering wheel.
But age won’t enter into the decision to get this Buick. It rocks.
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Yes, the traditional waterfall grille dominates the front. Monochromatic sides and conservative fender flares leave the Ranier looking a bit plain and only the alloy wheels provide a bit of sparkle to the side view. At the back, tail lights are large and the rear hatch opens to full height. There is a strap for those of average proportion so that they can get the darn thing closed.
Buick engineers have given the Ranier a plush ride.
However, it handles as well as any SUV on the market. Straight line comfort is traditional Buick. Head into a corner or get off pavement where the suspension has to work a bit and you will find that the Ranier can keep up with the pack in stability and control.
Credit goes to the standard air ride rear suspension. Sensors manage a compressor that instantly adjusts pressures to maintain a level ride.
Interior comfort is up to traditional standards in this five passenger Buick. Front seat occupants are coddled in leather-covered heated bucket seats that are power adjustable.
The driver’s side is set up like a command centre with highly visible instruments, easy-to-reach switches and controls and a user-friendly driver information centre.
The rear seat is so comfortable that occupants can sit for three or four hours before feeling the need to stretch their legs. Even the unlucky one in the middle will be pleasantly surprised with the comfort.
To keep up its image as the provider of quiet peaceful rides, Buick has developed what is referred to as QuietTuning with increased sound absorption in the engine compartment, doors and quarter panels. There is also an acoustic laminate in the windshield and front door glass. This reduces sound level by about 25 percent compared to rivals.
Power comes from the double overhead cam, four litre, in-line six introduced two years ago. This year, you have 275 horsepower under your right foot and enough torque (275 pound feet) to pull a 2,800 kilogram trailer. This is with the four-speed automatic transmission and Buick’s on-demand, all-wheel-drive system.
Options are minimal, since nearly everything is standard, but the 5.3 L, 290 hp, Vortec 5300 tops the list. Other items, such as running boards, can be ordered from the factory or dealer.
The all-wheel drive caught me off guard in the cold and snow. It was so transparent that I originally thought the Ranier was a two-wheel drive unit, except that 2WD isn’t available in Canada. The other giveaway was that I didn’t get stuck in the snow storm.
That doesn’t mean it was all easy driving. The tires, which are quiet on most road surfaces, don’t do particularly well in poor traction situations. Buick’s lack of a low range in its 4X4 system also means that you have to use your head a bit when driving off the beaten path. You may have to put the gear lever in first or second to make the best use of the engine’s power.
The heater also impressed me. I went from ice cube to comfortable in less than 12 minutes. Given the winter we’ve had, and the quiet and comfortable ride, there’s is a good reason to put the Ranier on the “must drive” list when SUV shopping.
Charles Renny is a freelance automotive columnist and a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. The opinions expressed in this column are the personal views of the writer.
