Envoy is the new General Motors mid-sized sport utility vehicle that we
used to know as the Jimmy.
Chevrolet will sell its version under the name Trail Blazer, while
Oldsmobile will have the Bravada.
The reason for all the name shuffling is that in 2001, engineers picked
up the rad cap and slid a new premium vehicle underneath. Everything
about these vehicles is new.
The body shell is larger than previous versions and the exterior trim
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lends itself well to brand identities, which is a fancy way of saying
that you will be able to tell one from the other.
Inside, I found the biggest change to be on the passenger side.
The floor pan hump that used to keep my feet from moving about is gone.
I can now squirm and move about in comfort.
Comfort is the optimal word for all three versions.
I was fortunate to have the leather package with heated seats in my
test vehicle, so I was in the lap of luxury.
The bucket seats were comfortable on long trips and the extra body
width meant I didn’t have to rub shoulders with the passenger every
time I moved to get something from the centre console.
As a passenger in the back seat, I also managed to find a comfortable
seating position and after two hours in the back was able to get out
and not feel cramped.
Headroom, which is often an issue in the rear of vehicles, was so
generous that I could probably wear a hat.
The only exception to the headroom rule with these vehicles is that
some come with an optional third row. That third row of sets is best
used for kids or desperate adults who know a good chiropractor.
With the cruise set at 110 km-h, wind noise was minimal and the
steering effortless.
Highway manners over bumps, thumps and other road imperfections were
good.
The suspension provided the control and the truck didn’t wander in the
lane or move about when I went around a corner reasonably quickly.
As for going off road, Mother Nature made sure I didn’t have to go far,
like just down my driveway.
Our spate of warm weather put enough ice down that four-wheel drive was
almost a necessity in some spots, while a kilometre later I really
appreciated the dust and pollen filter.
The Envoy’s automatic 4X4 system (optional on some of the other models)
was seamless. I really couldn’t tell when it cut in.
I have had a couple of people tell me that once you get accustomed to
the vehicle, you can feel the power shift from one end to the other via
the seat of your pants.
I managed to get some seat time off road when it was sort of dry out.
Tires are the largest limiting factor in how far you are going to go.
The street tires are a good compromise for traction and lack of noise
on pavement. When it comes to off-road work, it is the 4X4 system that
is going to save your bacon.
Engineers also felt that the existing lineup of Vortec engines wasn’t
suitable for a new SUV.
The thing that engineers kept coming back to was the power available
per litre of displacement was higher on an inline six than with a V-6.
The only reason they could find for using a V-6 was that manufacturing
capacities made it economical.
The engine that came out of this think-tank is a dual overhead cam,
four valves per cylinder, inline six with variable valve timing that
puts out 270 hp and 275 lb.ft. of torque.
This engine depends totally on the integrated management of the engine
and transmission electronic systems for easy shifts and improved
operating economy.
Another interesting point on this engine is that due to the electronic
management, roughly 90 percent of the engine’s torque is available from
1,800 rpm up to the red line. This makes trailer towing much easier
than with previous versions.
Other high toque, low rpm applications such as serious off-roading are
now easier than with the previous model as well.
To prove this point Chevrolet has sponsored an off-road racing team and
started to develop the potential of this new engine.
At $45,000 for a mid level model, the price tag may seem a bit steep,
but I’m beginning to think that maybe that is the price to pay for
power, comfort and the ability to put a grin on my face.
Charles Renny is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of
Canada and a lifelong resident of Saskatchewan.
