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2002
GMC Envoy

Starts at:
$29,375
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr 2WD SLE
    Starts at
    $29,375
    16 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 4WD SLE
    Starts at
    $31,600
    15 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 2WD SLT
    Starts at
    $32,190
    16 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 4WD SLT
    Starts at
    $34,415
    15 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy 2002 GMC Envoy

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Expert 2002 GMC Envoy review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Americans are peak users. We build and buy big houses, just in case we need the extra space. We arm our military services to a fare-thee-well, sometimes providing weapons the services haven’t requested, just in case we need the bombs. We build some of the word’s biggest and best sport-utility vehicles, giving them all kinds of capabilities and amenities, just in case we have to escape to the mountains at theater time.

Is it any wonder, then, that General Motors Corp. would develop one of the most capable, most luxurious sport-utility vehicles ever — the 2002 GMC Envoy XL?

Yes, the Envoy is a gilded lily. Its body structure and many of its components are shared with the generally less expensive Chevrolet TrailBlazer. But the Envoy is more than a work of badge engineering, which amounts to nothing more than using different nameplates on identical cars and trucks.

The old GM would have done that sort of thing, which is how the old GM got into trouble. The new GM is a much better company.

Economic common sense requires that all automakers use as many common parts as possible to help reduce vehicle development and production costs. Marketing common sense dictates that those vehicles be as different as possible in terms of customer perception.

The old GM had no marketing sense. It had something called “brand management,” which worked well for the managers but did nothing to sell products. The new GM has mastered the art of apparent diversification — altering closely related vehicles enough to appeal to different buyers at different prices. The proof is in the TrailBlazer and the Envoy, which appeal to psychically different groups.

For example, TrailBlazer buyers fit into what might be called the Just Folks League (JFL). They are peak users, too. They want a pickup truck or an SUV that can tow trailers weighing 5,800 to 6,400 pounds.

Occasionally they would like to traverse unimproved mountain roads and ford streams. Surely they want to be prepared for the next killer snowstorm, or for torrential rainfalls that can turn roads into swamps and rivers. No true peak user wants to be stranded in a two-wheel-drive sedan in that kind of weather.

But unlike their brethren in the GMC Envoy, most TrailBlazer peak users are not obsessed with finery. Envoy buyers, on the other hand, are OKOPs (Our Kind of People). They prefer going to privately operated shelters in a natural or man-made disaster. To suffer is one thing. To suffer without leather, brushed aluminum, wood-grain accents and almost every conceivable amenity is something else. Envoy people are beyond bottled water. They’d much prefer wine and cheese in a pinch.

Understandably, the executives and marketers at GMC, GM’s “professional grade” truck division, are reluctant to describe their peak users that way. What some malcontents see as greed, GMC’s marketers see as virtue.

“W hat we’ve heard from our customers is they desire an SUV that can handle anything without compromising interior roominess and comfort,” said Tony DiSalle, the GMC Envoy’s marketing chief. “The new Envoy finally gives customers what they’re looking for — an SUV with an unmatched performance that is also surprisingly comfortable.”

Objectively, it is hard to argue with DiSalle’s assessment. The tested Envoy XL model is a sumptuous, well-crafted piece of work. The seat leather is supple. The instrument panel, with its chronograph-type gauges, has a trapezoidal shape consistent with the Envoy’s exterior design. Floor space is uncluttered, allowing passengers to move around easily.

Lately, one of the biggest challenges in developing SUVs has been to give them limo-like rides on the highway without undermining their off-road toughness as trucks. Some auto companies have faked success in this endeavor by giving their luxo-SUVs modest all-wheel-drive capability and t en suggesting to buyers that those motorized dandies are perfectly capable of handling mud and rocks in the rough. The truth is, buyers of those sub-SUV models should keep them on the streets.

But the Envoy, properly equipped with items such as underbody skid plates, can kick it in the boonies. Its body-on-frame construction — featuring a new, stiffer frame — contributes to better handling and helps to keep it stable in unstable driving environments. Its big, 17-inch-diameter cast-aluminum wheels, shod with premium Michelin tires, enhance its footing. The Envoy’s 270-horsepower V-6 engine is more than enough to pull it out of trouble.

GM and its GMC truck division have done a good job here. But that’s from the perspective of a truck lover. Opponents of this kind of well-done excess might see the Envoy as an emissary from the Dark Side, sent to seduce all those who love hating SUVs. That would make it a peak-use vehicle of another sort.

2002 GMC Envoy review: Our expert's take
By

Americans are peak users. We build and buy big houses, just in case we need the extra space. We arm our military services to a fare-thee-well, sometimes providing weapons the services haven’t requested, just in case we need the bombs. We build some of the word’s biggest and best sport-utility vehicles, giving them all kinds of capabilities and amenities, just in case we have to escape to the mountains at theater time.

Is it any wonder, then, that General Motors Corp. would develop one of the most capable, most luxurious sport-utility vehicles ever — the 2002 GMC Envoy XL?

Yes, the Envoy is a gilded lily. Its body structure and many of its components are shared with the generally less expensive Chevrolet TrailBlazer. But the Envoy is more than a work of badge engineering, which amounts to nothing more than using different nameplates on identical cars and trucks.

The old GM would have done that sort of thing, which is how the old GM got into trouble. The new GM is a much better company.

Economic common sense requires that all automakers use as many common parts as possible to help reduce vehicle development and production costs. Marketing common sense dictates that those vehicles be as different as possible in terms of customer perception.

The old GM had no marketing sense. It had something called “brand management,” which worked well for the managers but did nothing to sell products. The new GM has mastered the art of apparent diversification — altering closely related vehicles enough to appeal to different buyers at different prices. The proof is in the TrailBlazer and the Envoy, which appeal to psychically different groups.

For example, TrailBlazer buyers fit into what might be called the Just Folks League (JFL). They are peak users, too. They want a pickup truck or an SUV that can tow trailers weighing 5,800 to 6,400 pounds.

Occasionally they would like to traverse unimproved mountain roads and ford streams. Surely they want to be prepared for the next killer snowstorm, or for torrential rainfalls that can turn roads into swamps and rivers. No true peak user wants to be stranded in a two-wheel-drive sedan in that kind of weather.

But unlike their brethren in the GMC Envoy, most TrailBlazer peak users are not obsessed with finery. Envoy buyers, on the other hand, are OKOPs (Our Kind of People). They prefer going to privately operated shelters in a natural or man-made disaster. To suffer is one thing. To suffer without leather, brushed aluminum, wood-grain accents and almost every conceivable amenity is something else. Envoy people are beyond bottled water. They’d much prefer wine and cheese in a pinch.

Understandably, the executives and marketers at GMC, GM’s “professional grade” truck division, are reluctant to describe their peak users that way. What some malcontents see as greed, GMC’s marketers see as virtue.

“W hat we’ve heard from our customers is they desire an SUV that can handle anything without compromising interior roominess and comfort,” said Tony DiSalle, the GMC Envoy’s marketing chief. “The new Envoy finally gives customers what they’re looking for — an SUV with an unmatched performance that is also surprisingly comfortable.”

Objectively, it is hard to argue with DiSalle’s assessment. The tested Envoy XL model is a sumptuous, well-crafted piece of work. The seat leather is supple. The instrument panel, with its chronograph-type gauges, has a trapezoidal shape consistent with the Envoy’s exterior design. Floor space is uncluttered, allowing passengers to move around easily.

Lately, one of the biggest challenges in developing SUVs has been to give them limo-like rides on the highway without undermining their off-road toughness as trucks. Some auto companies have faked success in this endeavor by giving their luxo-SUVs modest all-wheel-drive capability and t en suggesting to buyers that those motorized dandies are perfectly capable of handling mud and rocks in the rough. The truth is, buyers of those sub-SUV models should keep them on the streets.

But the Envoy, properly equipped with items such as underbody skid plates, can kick it in the boonies. Its body-on-frame construction — featuring a new, stiffer frame — contributes to better handling and helps to keep it stable in unstable driving environments. Its big, 17-inch-diameter cast-aluminum wheels, shod with premium Michelin tires, enhance its footing. The Envoy’s 270-horsepower V-6 engine is more than enough to pull it out of trouble.

GM and its GMC truck division have done a good job here. But that’s from the perspective of a truck lover. Opponents of this kind of well-done excess might see the Envoy as an emissary from the Dark Side, sent to seduce all those who love hating SUVs. That would make it a peak-use vehicle of another sort.

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2002 GMC Envoy base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Nhtsa rollover rating
3/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
6 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Dealer certification
172-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.3 / 5
Based on 44 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.4
Performance 4.3
Value 4.3
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.3

Most recent

  • Very Satisfied with my Envoy

    I have a 2003 GMC ENVOY that I purchased in December of 2002. I traded in a 2000 GMC JIMMY. The Envoy, when I purchased, had 12 miles on it. Currently, it has 347,000(++) miles. I've replaced the differential and (2) transmissions. The engine is still running sweet and I maintain the car myself to cut down on labor charges for repairs (I’m a DIYer’). This SUV has been nothing but stout and reliable. A few things in the interior need replacing but as it goes with 22 year old truck. I can only say good things about my Envoy.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Too many things gone wrong to count!

    Looks and feels good to drive but caught fire out of nowhere on the passenger front door panel, only drives now in 2nd gear, which means that it can only go 30mph maximum. Somehow the sunroof parts just started dropping out from between the outer body and the interior headliner. And the trim of the back hatch plastic has been breaking away. I’m not sure why I’d what causes it, but around the upper tail light the black plastic that holds everything together is breaking away. Also- the water pump needs to be replaced now.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 2.0
    6 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great car comfort, and safe

    I paid 35 thousand in 2004. Won’t pay 29 thousand in 2022 for a 2002 envoy.it’s been a great car for 20 years love this car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great Car

    I bought it new in 2001. Best car I have ever owned.Only problem I had was Coil was getting wet and shorting out. Took awhile to figure out but I replaced the hood seal with a new style , now no more problem. Because of the price of gas I am thinking of getting a new EV car. I ill then put this car in the garage .next to my restored 51 Mercury.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • never get attatched to a vehicle

    I have owned a 2002 of which the repairs started adding up. The owner pryor to myself, kept detailed records indicating the need to replace the water pump 4 times. may have just been the pump manufacture because luckily it was no problem when i owned it. I had installed the complete front suspension hardware with rotors and brake systems. it rolled like a dream until the air conditioning system needed dealership savvy (bad idea) after 2509 for complete system replaced. ok, now meeting my daughter flying into LAX, in the evening, the complete dashboard went dead as the headlights as well . i had to pull over before i caused and accident to check fuses and wiring. everything was intact and fuses good. i get in to start it, of course everythings back to normal. this was beginning to happen more often of course at night. and i recommend an auto electric professional not affiliated with the dealerships . this is why; it costs 125.00 to diagnose the problem over the course of the whole business day only to be informed the problem needed a special diagnostic thing a ma jig for additional 850.00 to actually locate the problem. i dont think so. so the thought of giving the vehicle away was better on my conscience than selling the problem. So i gave it to charity and never looked back.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Piece of crap

    This is the biggest piece of crap and a waste of money I have ever had. Door panel falling off with cheap plastic. And door only opens from the outside. Back window won't stay rolled up. A.c. out. Eats gas like crazy.....i hate this vehicle
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 1.0
    7 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • This car anit Evan had a problem

    I love that s car itsBIG and 3row seats and it's comfortable and is loaded with technology and has onstare airbags every where nice desine on inside I really don't have any complaints about it
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best car I owned.

    This car met my needs. Very rooming. Runs great. Doesn't burn oil. Has new tires on. Great work car or for a student first car
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 2002 Envoy SLT 200,000 miles

    I have owned this SUV from new. I can’t say enough great things about this vehicle. Best I’ve ever owned. Typical replacement of wear items but no issues with engine, transmission, differential, etc. The body has not one spec of rust on it and the inside is like new. Undercoating, wax, and TLC is key for keeping this vehicle for so long. Going on 20 years !!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Had the car for 15 years

    Good for work truck and transporting goods. Needs a tune up been sitting a long time. Body is in great shape. A good fixer upper
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Terrible vehicle, total engineering failure

    Problems right from the start Breakes , Ignition coils, Steering fluid lines leaking , power seats, head lamps falling out, radio over heating, frame rusting through.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Style, Comfort, Reliable, Powerful, This 1 Has It.

    Perfect vehicle for me,,Looks GooD,,Rides GooD, Handles Great,,lots of extras for ease of use..Best 4whl drv,, I've ever owned..Lots n Lots of Goodies..! 4.5 Stars
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2002 GMC Envoy?

The 2002 GMC Envoy is available in 2 trim levels:

  • SLE (2 styles)
  • SLT (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2002 GMC Envoy?

The 2002 GMC Envoy offers up to 16 MPG in city driving and 22 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2002 GMC Envoy?

The 2002 GMC Envoy compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2002 GMC Envoy reliable?

The 2002 GMC Envoy has an average reliability rating of 4.3 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2002 GMC Envoy owners.

Is the 2002 GMC Envoy a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2002 GMC Envoy. 88.6% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.3 / 5
Based on 44 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.4
  • Performance: 4.3
  • Value: 4.3
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.3
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