GMC Envoy Denali: "Be prepared to be impressed"

[Ming]

Midsize elegance: 2005 GMC Envoy Denali SUV
by Ken Chester, Jr.
Road Worthy
www.dcmilitary.com


June 2005 Envoy Sales: 16,531

Be prepared to be impressed. Setting a new standard of sophistication and performance by delivering new levels of comfort, convenience and capability, GMC introduces a top-of-the-heap Denali model to the Envoy lineup for 2005.

Imbued with instantly recognizable premium styling appointments pioneered by the original Yukon Denali, the Envoy Denali includes the following upgrades and enhancements: signature chrome-plated grille with honeycomb texture, all-new body-color single-piece front fascia, which includes a large, horizontal air intake flanked by round fog lamps that are set deeper in the fascia and accented with deep bright bezels.

A new lower rear fascia is part of the Denali design package. It was lowered to visually conceal the vehicle's undercarriage components and, like the front fascia, features tighter gap tolerances for a precision look. Air deflector extensions surrounding the trailer hitch area also help create a lower look for the vehicle. The Envoy Denali also features integrated running boards painted body color and equipped with rubberized mats to prevent stones and other debris from being kicked up onto the vehicle exterior surface.

Other exterior design cues for the Envoy Denali include thinner body-color side moldings, body-color outside mirrors (heated with integrated turn signal indicators) and polished forged aluminum 17-inch wheels.

Built at the automaker's Moraine, Ohio, assembly plant, the GMC Envoy Denali is available as a four-door wagon in two- or four-wheel drive configurations. The midsize SUV is powered by a powerful 5.3L V8 prime mover joined to a four-speed automatic transmission. No other powertrain is offered.

The Envoy Denali SUV combines the best of luxury car appointments, comfort and ride with the best rugged, built-for-work, body-on-frame truck underpinnings. The result is a winning combination that works in town and in the field.



On the road, the GMC Envoy Denali is smooth, fast, nimble and responsive at speed. Shift-on-the-fly 4WD adds to maximum flexibility, control and stability, inspiring driver confidence. Body-on-frame construction serves as the bedrock on which the suspension hardware is connected. The Envoy Denali is equipped with a Luxury Ride suspension system,which employs an independent double A-arm upfront and a load leveling air suspension at the rear. High pressure Bilstein shocks secure the four corners, while front and rear stabilizer bars and urethane jounce bumpers keep the vehicle connected and controlled.

Inside the cabin, occupants are thoroughly spoiled by the high level of luxury and creature comforts. Outward visibility is excellent, with a full complement of analog gauges -- speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, volts, fuel and water temperature. The odometer is digital.

Envoy Denali interior enhancements include nuance leather seating and leather accents for the steering wheel, shift boot and parking brake boot. Driver and front passenger seats feature eight-way power adjustments and are heated. A new burl wood grain accent surrounds interior components in the center stack, console, trim surrounding light switches and the switches in the door armrests. Satin nickel metallic accents are found around the instrument cluster, shifter base and HVAC vents.

Source: http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/teste...s/35775-1.html

[RocketImpala]

Good review. Nice truck. I love the Denali trims.

[Road Kill]

I've been in a lot of the big brothers and they are a treat. If this truck even comes close it will be a hit.

[johnny smallblock]

Sounds pretty sweet. It's funny that GM can get trucks so right, but cars aren't as easy. I think it comes down to styling; you do a lot less of it with a truck.

[SilverTAWS6]

Sweet truck.
The interior pic appears to be from the standard Envoy, not the Denali.

Chris

[TiburonJT]

I like the exterior changes on all the Denalis. GMC's usually look better than Chevrolet's, and the Denali line only widens the gap.

[Arizona Slim]

I especially like that it has the 5.3L. I wish this had been out a couple years ago, I probably would have got it for my wife instead of the Yukon.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by SilverTAWS6

Sweet truck.
The interior pic appears to be from the standard Envoy, not the Denali.

Chris

Fixed.

[stevecmh]

I don't know about the rest of the country, but in Southeastern Wisconsin, (Milwaukee and it's suburbs) I have seen tons of Envoy Denalis. I wonder how good they are selling because i see multiple Denalis per week.

[cfch3399]

Is that supposed to be real wood? It looks aweful. Some wood on the stearing wheel can look nice, but that center console and left panel is absolutely distasteful. Terrible job GMC.

[AdmiralViscen]

Why is it tasteless? There are dozens of cars on the road running around with a lot more wood trim in their interiors. If you consider any vehicle with wood on more than the steering wheel tasteless, don't ever buy a luxury car.

[Cortazzo]

It really doesn't look any better or worse than competitors fake wood, and even some real wood accents. I love the Denali line for GMC, they look spectacular and very upscale.

[Askani]

I'd rather take the Buick.... You get the same luxury with the same engine, but with AWD and about 5K less.... This is still a beautiful truck, but it just makes me wonder why the Buick sells so slowly...

[Arizona Slim]

Originally Posted by Askani

I'd rather take the Buick.... You get the same luxury with the same engine, but with AWD and about 5K less.... This is still a beautiful truck, but it just makes me wonder why the Buick sells so slowly...

$5000 less for a comparable Rainier? That doesn't sound right.

[dlr]

Originally Posted by Askani

I'd rather take the Buick.... You get the same luxury with the same engine, but with AWD and about 5K less.... This is still a beautiful truck, but it just makes me wonder why the Buick sells so slowly...

Not only that but the Buick will have a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty for 06. The price is about the same when comparally equipped. The Envoy though can come in the extended wheel base where the Buick does not.