Cargo space in the Yukon XL is generous, however. Fold the second- and third-row seats and Envoy XL offers 107 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the standard Envoy (80) or Explorer (82), or even the Yukon (105). SLT models come with a scrolling cargo cover.
Envoy XUV shares its second-row seating dimensions with Envoy XL, but instead of a carpeted cargo area with a folding third-row seat, the XUV has a weather-resistant box, like a pickup bed parked indoors. Four tie-down rings can be moved to any of 12 locations, and there are four more fixed rings in the ceiling. GMC plans to market a line of accessories to further enhance the XUV's cargo-carrying capabilities. And if things get messy back there, it's easy to flush it out with a hose; GM says the system of one-way drains will channel out 35 gallons per minute.
Touch a button, and a 32-by-32-inch panel above the cargo bay slides forward, open the cargo bay up to the sky. A power rear window quickly slides up from the Midgate behind the rear seat, sealing off the passenger compartment from the now-open-air cargo area. The XUV has converted itself into a four-door pickup with a 44-inch bed. (You can also order a traditional sunroof over the main cabin.)
If that's too short for the job, the XUV has one more trick it can do: Retract the glass behind the seat, open the midgate between the seat and the cargo bay, and then tumble and fold the seat itself. Now you have 6 feet 4 inches of open bed, albeit without a partition between it and the front seats. Close the roof and the tailgate window, and you can carry two people and a lot of luggage, out of the weather and dry. Tie-down points are conveniently located all around.
All this versatility, however, comes at a price. The Midgate and weatherproof bed lining take up some space; when it's buttoned up against the weather, the XUV offers a little less total cargo volume (95 cubic feet) than the XL, and has a significantly shorter cargo floor (76 vs. 85.5 inches long). So for hauling a small army's camp gear, the XL may be the better choice. But clearly the XUV is the better choice for hauling messy stuff, like dirt, plants, a couple of cords of wood. The Envoy XUV could be the perfect solution for a landscape designer, deer hunter, or do-it-yourselfer, anyone who needs the utility of a pickup but also wants to move the family around in comfort.
Up front, it's comfortable in any of the Envoy models. GMC's seats seemed more comfortable to us than the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's seats. The Envoy's seat cushions are longer, wider and thicker than those in the TrailBlazer, and offer noticeably more side bolstering. We would choose an Envoy over a TrailBlazer for the seats alone. Envoy SLT's leather was way plush, while Envoy SLE's cloth was grippier. On the SLT, the driver's bucket is eight-way power adjustable, with two-way lumbar support and optional heat. The shoulder belts are fixed to the seat backs, and one tester said he'd have preferred adjustable anchors.
Instrumentation is complete and clean. A big tachometer is on the left, speedometer in the center, and on the right are smaller gauges for water, battery, gas and oil. The brushed nickel trim looks classy. Four big round registers for heating and air conditioning look stylish and purposeful in nickel. A four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel comes with both models, and on the SLT includes controls for climate, sound, cruise control and the driver information center.
SLE's dual-zone manual climate controls use sliders and seem like a big step backward from the SLT's digital controls. Turning a knob is easier than sliding a lever, especially when bouncing on rough roads. Heating and air conditioning temperatures can be controlled separately by the driver and front-seat passenger. Rear-seat passengers have their own independent temperature control in XL models.
The center console houses an open storage bin, an enclosed compartment, and two cupholders forward of the gear lever. The emergency brake lever is also located there. There are pockets in the front doors and behind the front seats, but we'd like more places to put small items in the center console area. Three power outlets are provided in the center stack, though none have power when the ignition is switched off. Behind the rear seat is a small hidden compartment under the floor, a cargo net and a power outlet. Rear-seat headrests conveniently flip down to give the driver a better view to the rear. The rearview mirror is electrochromic, so it automatically dims when it senses bright lights; unfortunately you can't turn this function off.
SLT's overhead console includes a sunglasses holder and an optional Travelnote digital recorder ($85), which allows the driver to orally take phone numbers while on a cell phone. Interior lights abound, including reading lights.
Audio systems have been redesigned for 2004. We found that the optional Bose system ($495) with six-disc in-dash CD player ($245-395) offers outstanding sound quality and adjustment versatility. All Envoy audio systems include RDS (Radio Data Systems) technology, allowing the listener to search for stations by type, display song and artist information, and provide traffic and weather updates.And the rear-seat DVD system plays through the audio system.
OnStar, GM's communications system, is standard on the SLT and optional ($695) on SLE. It includes GPS navigation, hands-free cell phone communication (including a free first year of safety and security service) automatic crash and theft reporting, as well as remote unlocking and other services. Next Page