2002-2008 GMC Envoy: Year-to-Year Changes

2003 GMC Envoy: Envoy lost its standard front side airbags for 2003, but was available for the first time with a V8 engine. GMC's midsize SUV came as a five-passenger regular-length model, and the longer seven-passenger Envoy XL. Both offered SLE and uplevel SLT trim levels. Chevrolet offered a five-passenger TrailBlazer and seven-passenger TrailBlazer EXT, but Oldsmobile's Bravada came only with five-passenger seating. Compared to regular Envoys, XLs had a 16-inch longer wheelbase, elevated rear roofline, and three-row seating. Standard on all was a 275-hp inline six-cylinder engine. New for XLs only was an optional 290-hp V8, borrowed from GMC's full-size SUVs. A four-speed automatic was still the sole transmission. The previously standard front side airbags were now a $350 option. Curtain side airbags remained unavailable. For 2003, some Envoy options formerly available only in packages could be ordered separately. GMC said the fuel tank on regular-length Envoys would increase at midyear to 22-gallon capacity (from 18.7).

2004 GMC Envoy: An innovative Envoy XUV model joined the lineup for 2004. Built on the extended-length chassis, the XUV had five-passenger seating plus a power sliding roof section over the cargo area. A "midgate" wall behind the rear seat folded, along with the back seat, to extend the length of the cargo floor. The midgate included a glass divider window that powered down. Its dual-action tailgate dropped or swung open on side hinges, and contained a power window. Both the XL and XUV could have a V8 engine. A satellite radio and navigation system was newly available. Buick launched a related Rainier model for 2004.

2005 GMC Envoy: Envoy returned for 2005 with newly available curtain side airbags and an available cylinder-deactivation feature for its V8. Released midyear were posh Denali and XL Denali models. New for the V8 was GM's Displacement on Demand system which shuts down four cylinders in gentle driving to save fuel. The Displacement on Demand feature was not available on the regular-length Denali. Denalis came with a 5.3-liter V8, a chrome grille, specific front/rear fascias, and body-color running boards. They also included leather upholstery, heated power front seats, unique interior trim, and extra sound insulation.

2006 GMC Envoy: GMC's midsize SUV got an antiskid system for 2006.

2007 GMC Envoy: GMC's midsize SUV lost its extended-length, seven-passenger model for 2007. Envoy shared a basic General Motors design with the Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7X; all were five-seaters for '07.

2008 GMC Envoy: The 2008 GMC Envoy gained standard curtain side airbags and trimmed down its model lineup. SLE, SLT, and uplevel Envoy Denali trim levels returned.