2002 Buick Rendezvous.

Q: Dear Miss Etiquette: I don't want a minivan or a truck-y sport-ute. But I do want all-wheel-drive and third-row seating. Buick says the Rendezvous has great "road manners," so I thought you must be familiar with it.

A: In addition to chiding your "I-want-it-all" attitude, Miss Etiquette

She thinks the Rendezvous duplicates the softer ride of a Buick sedan without being sloppy, thanks in part to an independent rear suspension. And on deep road dips, which she saw some naughty auto writers take at well above 60 mph, the body settles down quite nicely.

Its rack-and-pinion steering is nicely weighted and predictable. Although not as eager to head into a turn as the Acura MDX, it didn't feel particularly "nose-heavy," a description which Miss Etiquette detests.

Overall, she applauds Buick engineers for reaching a civilized compromise between ride and handling.

She did pity the only engine -- a 185 hp 3.4L V-6 -- which has to move 4,000 pounds. She felt no need for further rebukes, however, because it was reasonably refined and the 4-speed automatic shifted smoothly.

Miss Etiquette likes everything, including prices, to be reasonable, so she's thrilled that front-wheel-drive models start at $25,499 ($28,027 with Versatrak).