2005 Buick Rainier Review
Price Estimate: $1,387 - $2,244





+45
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet ride, strong optional V8, easy to get in and out, decent off-road ability.
Cons
- Subpar build and materials quality, sloppy handling, lacks key safety features, not enough storage space.
What’s new
The CXL Plus trim level is dropped in favor of a single CXL model; a CD/MP3 player stereo is newly optional; real wood replaces the fake stuff for the steering wheel and shift knob; and various upgrades help spruce things up inside. Full-length head curtain airbags make their way to the options list, though Buick has dropped last year's seat-mounted side airbags (which provided torso protection for front occupants).
Edmunds says
Quiet and powerful, especially in V8 form, the Rainier fails to look and act the part of a luxury SUV in most other respects.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
6 listings
- 186,980 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 5 Seats, 14 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- Allen Christian GMC (697 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
Close
Located in Dexter, MO
The leather seats in this 2005 Buick Rainier 1/2 ton are a must for buyers looking for comfort, durability, and style. This Buick Rainier has a clean ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5GAET13M752204096
Stock: 53165C
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-03-2025- 231,002 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 14 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- Champion Auto Sales (736 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
Close
Located in Memphis, TN
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5GADT13S152336734
Stock: 336734
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-20-2025
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$234/mo for Rainier CXL
Rainier CXL
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Buick Rainier Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
2005 Rainier
4.88 out of 5 starsPat, 09/07/2006
2005 Buick Rainier CXL AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
I have had no problems with the car so far. It's very reliable. The ride is very comfortable. It feels like you are driving a car, but you're just sitting higher up.
Most Underated SUV
4.88 out of 5 starsRandy Bloem, 04/21/2007
2005 Buick Rainier CXL AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
I test drove many of the SUV's including the new Ford Edge. The Buick Rainier beats them all in ride, comfort, and style. This has to be the most under-rated vehicle in its class. A tremendous used car value.
Great SUV
4.75 out of 5 starsHannah DeLisle, 11/16/2005
2005 Buick Rainier CXL AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
W have been very happy with this vehicle, one of the best we have had. We took it to Florida and back to Micigan and it was great. I have only had to change the oil two times in over a year.
Love it!
4.75 out of 5 starsJennifer, 02/04/2008
2005 Buick Rainier CXL AWD 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
I have been reading about this model for over a year. I was so happy to find a 2005 w/only 1 owner. It also had low miles and looked brand new! Now lets talk about the ride. Love it! It handles well and it is heavy for a short SUV and I feel safe in it.
2005 Rainier Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $33,785 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $234/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 39.8 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Rainier include:
- Alarm
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalMarginal
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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