Faults:

When I purchased the car, it had about a 5-6 inch crack in the rear plastic side molding on the passenger side. The dealer replaced it without hesitation.

The radio seems to have poor FM reception at times, even for local stations. I have not had it diagnosed at this time.

Another issue I've had is the extremely cheap paint used on the plastic cladding and bumpers. It doesn't appear to have a clearcoat, and chips and scratches very easily. It is also very hard to clean. Why GM would use a finish like this, on a vehicle that cost close to $50K, is beyond me.

General Comments:

I really like this vehicle, and appreciate the practicality of having a large cargo area (previously I always owned sedans with trunks).

I think the ride is comfortable, but not quite on par with a large sedan (some bumps can be a little jarring), but it is not a car after all.

I originally wanted the 20 inch chrome wheels, but the ride was somewhat firmer, so I opted for the 19 inch chromes.

I previously always owned sedans, so in comparison this vehicle seems a little sluggish, and the ease of maneuverability is not as high.

The 3.6 V6 does have decent acceleration if you step on it, but I try to drive it pretty mildly to maximize efficiency. Overall I am currently averaging 16.9 MPG according to the on board computer, which I think is decent considering my Buick Lucerne was only averaging less than 1 MPG better.

I miss the column mounted gear selector, but this vehicle is so roomy that it isn't that big of a deal (I have a hard time reaching the glove compartment from the driver's seat).

Overall I think the interior is very nice, and it seems to be made of quality materials. I love all the wood trim, and it doesn't look as blatantly fake as in my Lucerne, which seemed to be leftovers from the '80s. The seats have held up very well, and are easy to keep looking nice.

I have only attempted to use the navigation system once or twice, but I did not find it very user friendly.

I really like the design of the 2nd and 3rd row seats, and how easy it is to fold them flat to load large cargo.

My favorite thing about this vehicle, besides its size, is the styling. I think it stands out and still looks very attractive, even after being on the market for over 4 years. I prefer large sedans, but since they are all but gone, I decided to go with this, and am not sorry. If Buick ever does reincarnate the large sedan, I will probably go back to a sedan, but until then, the full-size crossover will do just fine.

Lastly, I wish these were not as costly as they are. I am leasing this, and even after putting $7,000 down, my payment for 39 months is a little over $500. I highly doubt I will put that kind of money down again in 3 years to lease another one. I will probably just keep this one, but I will still owe about $30,000 on it.

Faults:

Since the day of purchase, the steering wheel makes a strange squeaky noise and the vehicle has an unusual smell (similar to wet dog).

Needed the missing back row control panel for the AC/Music and repair the AC. Had a complete transmission replacement on 9/16/11 & currently is in the shop (10/4/11) with traction control issues; control panel states stabilitrak is turned off, needs repair.

General Comments:

Since the day of purchase 1/15/11 until present 10/4/11, I have returned to the dealership a total of 23 times for repairs or complaints related to this vehicle.