Overview:
Ok GM, this 2003 GMC Envoy XL 2-WD makes sense, but why can’t we get more mileage out of a two-wheel drive? You guys simply have to do better. I’ve been complaining for many years that we can put a man on the moon, but we can’t seem to drive by enough gas stations in an SUV.
Why is that? And now that gas prices are back up to two bucks a gallon in the beginning of 2003, manufacturers will be pressed to do better. Thus far they have done lousy. Hello, is anyone listening?
I wouldn’t make such a fuss but Greenpeace isn’t going away. Big companies are being watched with a suspicious eye or two. We, as a people, just seem to ignore the effects of our actions and will chop down trees without consideration for the future. Big oil companies seem to be more willing to lobby for war to protect oil interests than to develop alternate fuel vehicles to leave some of that oil in the ground. Seems cheap oil paid for with someone else’s blood is ok. Do you think Enron is secretly in the oil business?
General Info:
Parts – USA
Assembly – USA
Class: – SUV
Cars: – Envoy, Safari, Savana, Sierra, Sonoma, Yukon.
Handling & Performance:
Quite nice. I, like most of you, like the idea of the SUV. And this is powerful and finally sports a state of the art engine. It is an inline 6 with variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder. It produces 270 horses and is similar to more advanced engines from foreign carmakers. Nice change GM, from the old push rod design engines common to American cars.
Styling:
Common to the competition and at the rate you see them on the road (trucks and SUV’s make up about 40% of all passenger vehicles out there).
Fit and Finish:
Excellent. I like how well American car makers have risen to the challenge of the Japanese in this area.
Conveniences:
Usual and ordinary. Manual air conditioning and seats. I get lazy and appreciate the comforts and convenience of power mirrors, seats and auto air. I come to expect it. Fact of the matter is that it would be cheaper to put everything in all cars since high tech is so cheap today.
Cost:
A bit pricey. Since these things are so lousy on gas consumption and so profitable to their makers you’d think they would cut us a break.
Consumer Recommendation:
Personal preference will lead you down the isle with America’s beloved SUV. They make us feel invincible and keep our wives and children safer on the road. You simply must balance that need with your budget. Compare a mini van as an option to the SUV.
The Competition: (in order of avg. price).
Nissan Pathfinder $27-34,000, Ford Explorer $26-37,000, Toyota 4Runner $27-36,000, Jeep Grand Cherokee $26-38,000, GMC Envoy $28-37,000, Isuzu Trooper $28-37,000, Dodge Durango $27-38,000, Mercury Mountaineer $29-37,000, Mitsubishi Montero $32-37,000, Infiniti QX4 $35-36,000.
Good News:
Good warranty, powerful, comfortable, spacious and nice handling.
Bad News:
Poor mileage for a 2-wheel drive.
Standard Equipment:
4.2 liter inline 6-cylinder 270 horsepower engine, 4-speed auto trans, fog cornering lights, heavy duty trailering, tilt steering wheel with cruise control, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, theft deterrent system, child safety locks, 7-passenger seating, lumbar support on front seats, remote keyless entry, air conditioning with rear controls, AM/FM stereo with CD and 6 speakers, power steering, windows and door locks, rear defroster and washer wiper, split folding rear seat, stainless steel exhaust and 3 year 36,000 mile warranty with courtesy transportation and 24 hour roadside assistance.
Gas Stats:
15 City and 20 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $30,270.
