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Auto Profile: 2002 GMC Envoy
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| Read about GMC's comfortable mid-sized SUV |
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| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 16 ( -2 -12.5% ) | | Author | Phil Ruth |
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Description:
Selecting an Envoy
The Envoy has four trim levels, which are broken into two- and four-wheel drive versions of the starter SLE and higher-line SLT. Base prices range from $28,945 for the SLE 2WD, and they peak at $33,985 for the SLT 4WD. Equipment levels are generous all the way around; the SLE comes packed with dual-zone air conditioning, a six-speaker CD player, programmable door locks, anti-lock brakes and more. The SLT offers still more luxury, adding niceties such as leather seating surfaces, a power-adjustable driver's seat and wood trim accents on the dash. Whichever Envoy you choose, the first thing you'll notice is its bold styling. This GMC shares much with its Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Oldsmobile Bravada siblings, but it has a slightly different presence. The grille cuts deep into the front bumper, and the headlights are stacked on top of one another for dramatic effect. And of course, there's no mistaking that strong GMC logo, the size of which announces the "Professional Grade" sensibility the division hopes to promote.
The theme of sporty ruggedness continues into the interior. The dash is dominated by the prominent center section that tilts the sound system and climate controls slightly toward the driver. Vents dot the top of the panel with decorative silver trimming, and each of the gauges are outlined with bright detailing. The Envoy's interior styling doesn't interfere with its functionality, though. There are knobs - not bitsy buttons, but thick, rubberized knobs - to adjust the primary climate and stereo controls. Their readouts are tall and block-lettered, and the driver's full array of gauges is crisp and reflection-free. The floor shifter gives the Envoy a sportier air than SUVs that leave the selector on the steering column, and its surrounding console rises up under your arm with its beefy cushion. Overall, the Envoy presents itself to the driver as being comfortable and helpful. The seats reinforce that feeling, with medium-firm padding and wide cushions. The power adjustments (optional on the tested SLE) include a lumbar support that moves up and down in addition to swelling in and out. There's a refreshing feeling of wide-open space in the front seats; the ceiling is high above, and the windshield seems far away. The driving position is excellent, especially since the radical forward cant of the body affords a commanding view of the road. The rear seats are comfortable as well. The padding is a bit firmer, but there's enough width for three adults to pack back there with minimal overlap. The body's forward cant also benefits those in the rear, as they are positioned high in the vehicle and can easily see over the tops of the front seats. That extra view can serve to alleviate restlessness for kids who may feel down in a hole in other SUVs. The Envoy also offers, as part of the optional "Professional Technology Package," a DVD video player to keep those in back entertained. GMC obviously had one eye on the minivan buyer when it designed the Envoy, although the Envoy's third-seat option hasn't hit the market yet. Start it up and head for the highway, and you'll agree with the passengers of the tested Envoy in thinking that it has a delightfully creamy ride. Ride motions are soft, but the suspension is firm enough to limit any wallowing. The Envoy's rear suspension is a solid axle, as opposed to the independent setup favored by the new Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. While the Envoy's rear end did seem busier over rippled pavement, we preferred its overall smoothness to that of the Mountaineer that was on hand for comparison. Add to that smoothness a hushed sound level and muted wind noise, and the Envoy can feel downright luxurious.
Handling is safe and stable. As in most SUVs, the steering feels geared a bit slower than in a car. The result: in tight urban environments, you end up spinning the wheel around and around with the palm of your hand. The Envoy's brakes stopped the vehicle quickly, but we'd prefer a pedal with a firmer feel. Still, once you adapt to the Envoy's controls, it gets out of your way and fades into the background, which is more than you can say for cruder competitors with annoying SUV jitters. The Envoy's engine is shared by its Chevrolet and Oldsmobile brethren, and it supplies more than enough motivation to keep the vehicle feeling energetic. It's a 4.2-liter, inline six-cylinder engine that generates 270 horsepower. As with the rear axle, GMC has taken a simple design (the cylinders are lined up, instead of shaped in a V) and refined it to the hilt; power feels abundant both off-the-line and during passing. EPA city/highway ratings range post at 16/22 for the two-wheel drive models and 15/21 for the four-wheelers. The options list offers temptations of all sorts. If we were configuring an Envoy, we'd start at the top, with the SLT 4WD. The aforementioned Professional Technology Package includes DVD, a Bose stereo and a self-leveling air suspension for $3,360. (If you want that package, be sure to test drive one that's equipped as such, as the air suspension may have a different ride than the standard Envoy.) The "SLT Enhanced Package" includes heated seats with adjustable levels of warmth, and the "Professional Towing and Off-Road Package" sports larger tires and a lower axle ratio for extra low-end grunt. However you configure your Envoy, you'll end up with a roomy, comfortable and easy-driving vehicle. The Envoy's refinement places it in the thick of the hotly-contested SUV market. Motor Trend seems to agree, as the magazine just named the Envoy the "2002 Sport/Utility of the Year." That's a win for the SUV buyer. --By Phil Ruth
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