Looking at Envoy Denali

macrobert · July 1, 2006

I currently drive a 2004 Acura TL. We just had a child and I realize that the TL is simply too small to carry all the kid's stuff (stroller, pack-n-play now.....I'm sure bigger stuff later). I am therefore planning to add a mid-sized SUV to the mix. Being an Acura owner, I looked at the MDX and find it lacking in style or power, and the 2007 model coming out looks a$$-ugly. I'm still looking at the Honda Pilot.

So what brings me to the American side of the fence? The Envoy looks hot and the Denali offers awesome power and features for a reasonable price. The General is definitely doing something right here. So I'm looking for comments from owners. I did a search and frankly there aren't many posts from owners, positive or negative, about this vehicle. I plan to test drive it soon.

So will you come out of the woodwork, please?

Oh, yes, and favored mods for this guy, please....while this will be the wife's beast, I want to make it fun for me to drive too.

03TRAILEXT · July 5, 2006

I have a TB which is the sister car of the Envoy. I like it and plan to buy another one in a few years. Get the EXT/XLT 7 passanger version. When the seats are folded down in the 3rd row, there is mega room. Then when you need the seats they are right there. I have 2 kids with a double stroller and bags etc. There is plenty of room in the back for stuff. The new DED gets better mileage on the highway. I heard a rumor that they will be offering the 6 speed auto, soon. Which will be even better for the gas.

Good luck.

macrobert · July 6, 2006

I have a TB which is the sister car of the Envoy. I like it and plan to buy another one in a few years. Get the EXT/XLT 7 passanger version. When the seats are folded down in the 3rd row, there is mega room. Then when you need the seats they are right there. I have 2 kids with a double stroller and bags etc. There is plenty of room in the back for stuff. The new DED gets better mileage on the highway. I heard a rumor that they will be offering the 6 speed auto, soon. Which will be even better for the gas.

Thanks for the comment. A six-speed automatic would absolutely rock, I can't believe no one thought to put one in these trucks. THAT would be worth paying for simply for the potential mileage reduction.

Is it worth paying more for an Envoy as opposed to the Trailblazer? The Envoy looks a bit better stylewise to me, but if it's pretty much the same truck....maybe it's not worth paying north of $30k for it?

Dakotahooper · July 7, 2006

My wife and I just bought a 2006 GMC Envoy Denali. We absolutely love it. The ride is great. The power from the 5.3 is even and plentiful. I can't tell you mileage yet as we haven't even had a full tank go through it. The sticker says 16 and 22. We got the sun, sound and entertainment package along with the rear DVD player. If you have any questions let me know.

cmoore123 · July 11, 2006

I have an 02 Trailblazer with about 45000 miles on her it has been a very good truck overall had a jeep before this and it was a lot of trouble just little things here and there like most mine has the i6 and if you dont have a lead foot does ok on gas also.

macrobert · July 15, 2006

Test drove a 4WD Denali (not XL) with the sun/sound/ent package. From someone used to a sporty car like the TL, it was certainly a change (duh)! It's a very solid freeway cruiser and drove better than I thought a large truck would. The torque from the 5.3 is more than adequate for my needs.

Still leaning toward this rather than the Trailblazer simply based on exterior styling, and I may decide that it's worth the money to me.

Thanks for the comments so far....keep them coming, Envoy owners!

edit.....and are there good exterior or suspension mods for these trucks?

mcali17 · July 30, 2006

I drive a 2002 Envoy SLE. It has been a great vehicle, especially since it was the first model year when I purchased it. Solid ride, great in the snow. If you like the way the Denali rode and the power, don't go with the standard Envoy or Trailblazer. The Denali has the 5.3L V-8 with Active Fuel Management, so you have more power and torque with the same fuel economy. The Denali also has additional sound deadening materials in it, so the ride is quiter. It also have Autoride standard, which are basically air shocks, which would be an option on the Trailblazer or Envoy, or standard on the LTZ or SLT respectively. Not to mention the integrated running boards, monochrome paint and you just can't substitute for the Denail Honeycomb grille.

Good luck.