New Car Review of the 2004 GMC Envoy Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $29,120-$38,065
Invoice Price Range: $26,354-$34,449

Mid-Size Envoy returns for 2004 with dual designs regular-length version with two rows of seats for five-rider capacity and the Envoy XL, as in Extra Large. It runs 16 inches longer and three inches taller than the regular version with enough extra room in the cabin to apply a third row of seats for two and boost the passenger count to seven.

The third row consists of two independent seats set side-by-side. Each seatback folds down and the entire seat tumbles forward to increase cargo capacity in the rear bay, or the seats may be removed, either separately or together. Access to the third row comes through rear side doors by sliding one of the second-row seats forward, then folding the seatback down and tipping the seat on its front end.

Both Envoy and XL draw from a standard 4.2-liter in-line-six engine with dual cams and output of 275 hp. Envoy XL also offers a Vortec 5.3-liter V8 good for 290 hp. With the V8 option, XL can tow a trailer weighing up to 7200 pounds in 2WD and 7000 pounds for the 4WD model. Electrically adjustable pedals are new to Envoy's option list, along with DVD entertainment system.