• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2005 GMC Envoy XL SLT Road Test

XL Wheelbase Delivers Extra-Length Comfort

Since their introduction to the domestic SUV market in 2002, I have been a fan of GMs mid-size SUV cousins the GMC Envoy, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Buick Rainier and the discontinued Oldsmobile Bravada. Each variant rides on the same GMT360 platform but distinguishes itself through brand-oriented styling, various trim levels and slightly different ride characteristics.

Add the Isuzu Ascender and Saabs upcoming 9-7X off-roader to the list and its safe to say that GM is making the greatest use of this hydroformed fully-boxed frame as possible. But wait! This dexterous architecture can also be found beneath Chevrolets phenomenally cool SSR pickup, although for this application it was shortened by

I have been a big fan of GMs mid-size SUV lineup, which includes the GMC Envoy, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Buick Rainier and the discontinued Oldsmobile Bravada. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

6 inches.

Although little has changed design-wise since its introduction, the Envoy exterior remains as clean and fresh looking as it did in 2002. Its overall proportionate body shape is softened by large windows, which provide unimpeded all-around visibility.

Considering the Envoy is a body-on-frame

Considering the Envoy is a body-on-frame truck, its outer assembly quality is very good. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

truck, its outer assembly quality is very good. Body panel gapping appears minimal and accurate, reflective more of passenger car tolerances than those of truck-based, four-wheel drive SUVs. The doors on my test unit opened and closed with ease, resonating a solid "whump" when sealing shut.

The nicely-equipped test unit was the XL edition, providing an extra 16 inches of length over the basic Envoy, which darkens 191.6 inches of pavement.

A third row seat comes standard with the XL, boosting the maximum human content by two, to a total of seven occupants. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

The extra sheet metal adds additional passenger and cargo hauling capability. A third row seat comes standard with the XL, boosting the maximum human content by two, to a total of seven occupants, six of whom can be seated in comfort; the unlucky seventh to be squeezed into the middle of the second row.

Both second- and third-row seating is reasonably comfortable. Legroom at both intervals is very good, but headroom in the third-row suffers due to the raised floor underneath it.

Surprisingly, the XL is actually shorter than the full-size Ford Crown Victoria. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Along with the extra bench, the XL adds 27.3 cubic feet of valuable cargo space to the already commodious Envoy interior, for a total of 107.4 cubic feet of hauling capacity.

Although the XL looks and plays the "big part," in reality it is shorter than the Ford Crown Victoria piloted through city traffic by police officers and taxi drivers throughout North America. While an apples and oranges comparison, its interesting to size it up to a vehicle most of us consider to be full-size. Fords big sedan measures 212.0 inches in length, which significantly eclipses the

A number of seating combinations allow numerous cargo versus passenger configurations. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

stretched Envoys of 207.6-inch length. Its amazing how the mind can deceive. Probably a comparison that makes greater sense is measuring the Envoy XL to the full-size Ford Expedition, which pulls the tape to only 205.7 inches. OK, the super-sized Envoy is long, Ill admit it.

Page:  1  2  3  4

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo