We purchased this vehicle in Apr 2006, and so now feel as though we've lived it with long enough to review.
Why did we buy this one?
This story begins in mid 2005. Then my wife agreed to let me have a truck, and the search began. While in the GMC dealership we test drove an Envoy, and if it wasn't for the fact that we wouldn't have gained any capability (we had 2 SUV's already) we would probably have bought it. So I got my truck (a Sierra). If the truck was easier to park in tight spaces, I would have to fight my wife for the keys more often for it, she has fallen in love with the On-Star system it has.
So onto April 2006, when almost a year later, we went back, and traded our Hyundai Santa Fe for an Envoy.
Our views on On-star, XM, and the Bose hi-Fi system can be found in my review of the 2005 GMC Sierra,
http://www.epinions.com/content_299743678084
so no need to go over them again here.The only differences between the two is that the truck has a CD/cassette deck, and the Envoy a six disc CD system.
We initially wanted a Denali, but with the stock the dealer had available, we narrowed the choice down to two, both Metallic grey, One a Denali, and the other a loaded SLT. With the options on the SLT, the main differences between the two were that the SLT had a sunroof (which we wanted), and the Denali had a rear seat DVD system (which we didn't). In addition the Denali had a part wood steering wheel (which my wife loved),a 5.3L V8 as standard and was $2000 more.
It was a difficult decision to make, but the money difference and Sunroof won out, and we bought the SLT.
Living with the Vehicle.
This vehicle serves double duty as my wife's commuter, and as the main family car. With two drivers the drivers memory seat (which also adjusts the pedal position & external mirrors), is great. I sees the end of arguments over who left the seat in the wrong position. A push of a button, and it's where you set it at.
I'm not a lover of leather seats (though my wife is), but having the front seats heated makes it okay. They still get too hot in the summer, but no need to freeze in the winter. But regardless, the seats are very comfortable, with good support, and great adjustability.
Another area of disagreement is the "curbview" feature, which turns the passenger side mirror down to see the curb when reversing, my wife likes this, to me it just restricts my overall view, but you can switch it off if you want.
With three in our family,we didn't need the third row of seats, and preferred the look of the short wheelbase version. This still gives plenty of luggage carrying capability, and the self-levelling rear suspension means that loading up doesn't affect the handling. It also means the ride quality is excellent throughout all road conditions. Though the compressor seems to be adjusting the suspension frequently, and makes a fair bit of noise doing it. I love the fact that you can inflate the tires & inflatables with nothing more than on-board equipment too, but in practice it takes a while. Good for an emergency though, and handy for the beach.
The 4.2L six-cylinder does, on-paper, develop almost as much horsepower of the 5.3L V8. I have the V8 in my Sierra, and on the road, there's a big difference in response. This doesn't mean the 4.2L is slow, but it doesn't feel powerful, just competent.
However, the power delivery is quiet, refined, and smooth up to, and including, highway speeds.
Handling is great, and very "car-like", for an SUV of this size on-road.an though we've only been off-road once (dry conditions with four people & luggage), it coped very well.
On the down side.....gas consumption is disappointing. My wife averages around 14.5mpg on her commute, compared to around 16mpg for my commute with the V8 Sierra, though my route includes more highway. Also, the battery failed on the Friday of Christmas weekend. Though still under warranty, our local dealers service department isn't open on the weekend, so rather than wait until Wednesday, a quick trip to Walmart, & $70, procured a replacement. A new car shouldn't have a failure, but nice to know parts are reasonably cheap!
In Summary
We are very happy with this vehicle. It is an excellent all round choice. It has the looks, the luxury, the comfort, the ride, the load capability, and adequate performance & handling. The full package.
With hindsight, I would've hung on for a Denali with the wood-rimmed steering wheel, & V8, but with the sunroof instead of the DVD. But, you pays your money, & you takes your choice, and we have no regrets about this decision.
Update Nov 28 07
Having had the vehicle now for over eighteen months we are still extremely happy with it. Since the battery failure there have been no further issues, and only routine maintenance required.
With 20,000miles on it, the vehicle still looks & feels new, and each monthly On-star system check e-mail assures us that all is well. I normally detail the car once a week, oil changes are carried out when the indicator gets to 50% life remaining (normally about every 5,000miles)with Mobil 1. At the two year point I'll take it to the dealer for a thorough check-up, and update then.
Gas milage hasn't improved, but hasn't worsened either. But we did have a disappointment recently, when I checked on the resale value, the vehicle is currently worth around one-third of new value. Not good for a vehicle that's less than two years old! On the upside, it should make these a bargain for someone to purchased used.
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