Overview & Reviews

Midsize SUVs are some of the best-selling vehicles on the market, as families and singles alike seek out their just-right compromise of space and maneuverability. The GMC Envoy had been among the eligible candidates in this segment since 1998. It was completely redesigned for 2002, and the result was additional size, power and refinement, though the Envoy was still thoroughly eclipsed by its rivals. Its last year of production was 2009.

A platform twin to the Chevy TrailBlazer (as well as Buick, Oldsmobile and Saab models), GMC's Envoy was a traditional body-on-frame SUV offered in two-wheel-drive (2WD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) configurations. Apart from styling, there were subtle differences between it and the Chevy, however. For example, the Envoy offered an optional rear air suspension (which provided a more isolating ride and balanced out heavy loads), which the TrailBlazer didn't. Engine choices included an inline-6 (with 270-291 horsepower, depending on the year) and on some models, a 5.3-liter V8 (with 300-302 hp, depending on the year).

Among traditional midsize SUVs, the GMC Envoy got lost in the pack. It had all the right features to compete in this segment, as well as a comfortable ride and decent power. But it was sullied by sloppy handing and below-average interior build and materials quality. Furthermore, although the Envoy's safety features looked up to date on paper, the SUV actually performed poorly in crash tests. For some used car shoppers, the Envoy may still be an appealing choice, but most would be better served by its more refined rivals.

Most Recent GMC Envoy Models
The second-generation Envoy debuted for 2002 and didn't change much throughout its 8-year model run. Initially, it was offered only with the 270-hp (increased to 275 hp for '03) inline-6 engine in two body styles: regular five-passenger and extended-wheelbase Envoy XL, which provided seven-passenger seating and considerably more cargo capacity. A 5.3-liter, 300-hp V8 became available on the Envoy XL in 2003 and on the regular Envoy (as part of the Denali trim) for '05. That year also saw head curtain airbags replace the front side bags. A more powerful (291-hp) inline-6 came for '06, as did newly standard stability control and cruise control. The Envoy XL was discontinued for 2007 and the Envoy itself was gone after '09.

The most common trim levels were the base SLE and leather-lined SLT; however, in '05 the ultra-plush Denali trim debuted, bringing standard V8 power, a unique grille treatment, more sound insulation and heated seats.

An unusual model called the GMC Envoy XUV was offered in 2004 and '05. The XUV was an Envoy XL stripped of its third-row seat and fitted with a retractable roof over its cargo bay. The result was a vehicle that could function as both a true SUV and a pickup. In practice, though, the multitalented but odd-looking Envoy XUV proved to be a tough sell to consumers.

The first-generation GMC Envoy was sold from 1998-2000 (there was no '01 model). It was little more than an upscale version of the midsize GMC Jimmy, which debuted in '95, and was equipped much like today's Denali. The extra amount of features didn't mask its aged chassis and old-tech V6, however, and the two together delivered a mushy ride quality and lackluster acceleration at highway speeds. Other complaints included numb steering, a large turning radius and poor brake feel. Although these early Envoys are inexpensive to buy on the used market, subpar reliability keeps us from recommending them, even to buyers interested in an old-school, truck-based SUV.

User Reviews:

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  Good investment on this Envoy - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Hoa Nguyen - October 10 - 12:54 pm

  I purchased gmc envoy in 2004 through Certified dealer and it last me until now. The car have 178.000 miles on it and still push out power very strong, I used this car for trailer every summer and it done great, the Dash board light start to fade out but it an easy fix.

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  Biggest Lemon is the History of Motor Vehicles - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By dgatcha - May 28 - 7:50 pm

  Never, ever buy this piece of junk. I put 3 transmissions in this SUV over the years!!! I could maybe see one, but 3? At $3500 a pop, I could have bought another nice used car with that money. I also just got back from the mechanic for the millionth time. This time the car just refuses to start. He checked the battery, alternator, and starter. Everything was fine. It just doesnt want to start sometimes. How about electrical issues? More issues than a magazine rack. This car is a lemon plain and simple. I wouldnt recommend it to my worst enemy. There were about 8 recalls and some electrical stuff never worked right. Trading this in next week and it may be the happiest day of my life.

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  In the shop every 2 months! ouch ( - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By 3magana - December 7 - 2:25 pm

  This car looked so amazing, and being young my husband and I thought we needed a beautiful car like this. It w as 6 months old when we bought it. Fuel card gone out twice. The air bags that lift the car got a leak and had to replace with normal shocks. (Expensive!) Air conditioning went out driver side. Front suspension needed replaced, would not turn. Not all our issues list :( NOW: All of a sudden when driving home from work, at night, my headlights completely turned off! I thought it was just a one time thing but happened a week later with my kids in the car on the highway! Oh my goodness...I am so upset, havent driven it at night or hardly at all.

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  Will never buy another GM!! - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By suzie_q_757 - May 11 - 10:17 am

  I purchases my envoy about 1 1/2 yr ago and about 1 month later the airbag, oil pressure, stabli link, and gas sensors went out in it!! About 6 months ago I noticed that the bottom of the rear doors are rusting. I called GM and they say that since it is not rusting completly threw the doors yet it would not be covered under the corrosion warranty, but they will cover it as a courtosy? Really?!? Okay so after getting the approval I asked what im suppose to do while my vehicle will be in the bodyshop for a week and they said they do not cover rentals or loaner vehicles under the corrosion warranty!! [non-permissible content removed]! This vehicle has caused me nothing but headaces!! I will be trading this in! no more GM

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  Fuel+Oil Sending Unit Failures - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By flexiblesink61 - February 10 - 5:54 am

  It is truely amazing why this issue does not cause GM to issue a Full recall on all cars in this line GMC, Buick and Chevy for fuel and oil sending unit replacements. You are driving blind. This issue alone has convinced me that I will never buy another GM product. Service department in dealerships are terrible and their systems dont work most of the time. They told me to keep driving with the problem and call them back in a few days to see if their systems come back on line. Toyota did the right thing when confronted with their issues. I own part of GM and I insist That GM should take responsibility and fix these issues, since both my trucks have the same issues.

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  Disappointed - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By nothappy26 - September 29 - 4:28 pm

  I am so angry right now. My 2007 Envoy has 45,000 miles. At 34,000 miles the fuel guage stop working (i had it fixed $800 because I have small children and did not want to be standed with them). At 45,000 my battery, alternator and now the computer just went so nothing will blow out the vents, In the past 3 weeks I have put $1,000 into the car. My husband would not consider buying a foreign car but we might be changing our mind.

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  Horrible Electrical Problems - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By ldonivan - April 24 - 5:31 pm

  We bought this vehicle less than one year old- within 2 wks the CD player went. Within six months we lost the tach & the speedometer. Next to go were oil pressure and temp gauges. Then gas gauge. Entire instrument cluster replaced- very expensive dealership repair. Within 18 months the heat & AC only funcntioned on drivers side, and the radio worked only intermittently. Have had to replace fuses and relays repeatedly- relays are @ $40 a piece. Now you cant run the fan at all or it dies & I dont even want to know what that will cost to fix. Would not recommend anyone to buy this year of Envoy- unless of course someone would take mine off my hands. Please!

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  Poor Quality compared to other brands - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By ahess77 - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This SUV has had more than its share of problems, dealer has not correctly fixed half of them. 1. driver window extremely slow (dealer said its normal operation) 2. 4WD service light, dealer changed a sensor 3. speaker buzzing, dealer changed rear speaker 4. Stabilitrack service light, dealer changed a sensor 5. occasional loud Bumping/growling noise at RF wheel, dealer said normal operation 5. speaker buzzing (out of warranty), Non-dealer replaced rear HVAC control 6. Check engine light, secondary air injection system, ECM replaced ($700!) 7. Service Stabilitrack, steering wheel sensor ($95!). Its not a Yugo, but what a piece of crap.

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  Sick of Being Nickel and Dimed to Death - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By rrh36 - March 15 - 9:10 pm

  Bought the 2006 Envoy SLE in Oct 2008. Things went well for a while, but after the first 6 months of driving, been nothing by problem after problem. Engine had high pitched squeal which was bad bearings in idler pulley. Then the spare tire would not come off the underside. Had to cut the cable and replace the entire spare tire holder. Fuel gauge quit working. And most recently, had to replace water pump. Bearings shot in that too and cant even do it yourself without a "special tool." I will NEVER buy another GMC and I hope GM goes under because of their selling of product with such horrible reliability.

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  Needs more cup holders - 2009 GMC Envoy
  By John - March 2 - 12:22 pm

  This vehicle only has 2 cup holders for driver and passenger. The trailblazer has 3. There is only carpet for your left foot bump out on drivers side. The trailblazer had a cover over the carpet. The drivers seat is to big. It makes it difficult to get at the pockets in the door. The front bumper is flawed. There is no foam behind the bumper. In two spots where there is a support the metal pushes against the bumper causing it to bulge out. Car was only 2 months old when this was noticed. Dealer was suppose to replace bumper but they bondod the bumper. You could see where it was bondod. I had a fit.