Thursday, August 28th, 2008
4×4 pickup trucks sure have changed over the past few decades. Once reserved for commercial applications or hauling hay and feed around the farm with barely a heater and windshield wipers, these versatile vehicles have been transformed into what is often the family four-door, the four-wheel-drive king cab commuter, or the cause of envy at local drag strips. And for a few years now there have been some new players strutting onto the field with a box attached to a luxury vehicle. Lincoln has taken two stabs at this segment so far, the first being the forgettable and misguided Blackwood and more recently the Mark LT, also known as a thinly-disguised Ford F-150. Over at General Motors, luxury division Cadillac has been a bit more thorough with its dressing up of the Chevrolet Avalanche, with the result being the 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT.
With its rear box, the all-wheel-drive EXT is technically a pickup truck, one that features an innovative fold-down midgate that effectively creates a full-size bed. But, aside from that design element, the EXT is much like the rest of the 2007 Cadillac Escalade lineup, with the same fresh face accented by vertically-stacked bright headlight housings and an expansive chrome grille inspired by the Cadillac Sixteen concept car. There are clean new body lines with tighter gaps, front fender vents, and integrated running boards. The new Escalades get an interior distinct from the lesser Chevy and GMC versions, with an attractive dash layout and generous use of leather. Added luxury comes in the form of an optional heated steering wheel, a touch-screen navigation system, a rear DVD entertainment system, a surround sound system by Bose, and 18- or 22-inch chrome alloy wheels.
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Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
The GMC Envoy XUV is a logical extension of the revolutionary Chevrolet Avalanche, with an easier to use midgate and a new twist to further the “SUV or pickup. Built on the same basic platform as the TrailBlazer, the Envoy has a pleasant, well-designed five-passenger interior and a cargo space that can be enclosed - or not, as you wish. It also incorporates a new, flexible tailgate which can open down or from the side - a welcome change.
The tailgate, though seemingly a minor feature, is one of those things you wrestle with frequently, so it’s good that GMC chose to take a fresh look at it. Depending on which handle you use, it will either come down in traditional pickup style - after you lower the glass, that is - or it will open to the side, with the glass still up. Picking up the handle starts an electrical process of lowering the window slightly to clear the weatherstripping, then unlocking the side latch.
The Envoy’s main feature is its conversion, so let’s look at that first, and address the powertrain later. The main cab of the Envoy is separated from its cargo bay by a clear glass window which can be raised or lowered independently from an overhad control in the cab; the seats have the familiar flip and fold feature, and behind the seatbacks is a gate which, like the Avalanche’s midgate, can be folded out of the way, enabling the Envoy to have a long cargo bed when needed, and five seats at other times. Unlike the Chevrolet Avalanche, the Envoy’s window glass does not need to be removed; it simply slides into the midgate, making it much simpler to convert the truck.
Some would say that the XUV convertible cargo bay is innovative enough, especially when coupled with the sidegate for ultimate flexibility, but GMC didn’t stop there. The base engine is a new six-cylinder version of the five-cylinder used in the TrailBlazer and standard Envoy, producing an amazing 275 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque which beats competitors’ V6 engines - and it does it in a straight-six configuration, which provides a smoother idle and possibly greater durability than a V6.
Controls are sensibly clustered with each other - all the light buttons and knobs in one panel, climate control in another, stereo in a third. The traction control shutoff sensibly lights a warning that clearly shows that traction control is off, while the rear wiper/washer is easy to see and use. The basic climate control itself includes dual zone heat sliders, and a traditional vent knob along with pushbuttons for recirculation and air conditioning, for good flexibility. OnStar is integrated into the mirror for those who buy it, and a universal garage door opener is above the mirror.
The GMC Envoy XUV is a unique vehicle in many ways, and many people will find it absolutely indispensible. If you don’t handle dirty or tall cargo often, a minivan (or similar SUV such as the Aztek or Pacifica) will probably be a better buy, since they are far cheaper and more economical, but if you know you’re going to be exceeding the capacity of the roof now and then, or if you’re going to be getting the back dirty, but don’t want a pickup truck, the XUV is a terrific option.
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