Should You Take the GMC Envoy Off-Road?
The GMC Envoy can take you down trails and moderate terrain with its stout, body-on-frame construction.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’re looking for a roomy SUV that can do some light offroading, the Envoy might be a good candidate for you.
The GMC Envoy, which sold from model years 1998 to 2009, is an odd blend of two types of SUVs. The modern SUV that most Americans know isn’t really suited for off-roading—it’s lower to the ground, comfortable, and easy-riding with plenty of cargo space. Old-school SUVs, on the other hand, are utilitarian and ready to rumble through any terrain.
The Envoy is a little bit of both—not suited for extreme off-roading, and not as comfortable at highway driving as other mid-size SUVs.
Can the GMC Envoy go off-road?
It can—in certain conditions. It’s probably not the best choice for the kind of true, rugged off-roading that will take you into riverbeds and canyon runs. But if you’d like to try out a well-defined off-road trail or get to a primitive
campsite
, the Envoy should meet the challenge. The GMC Envoy had a traditional body-on-frame construction that made it more rugged than contemporary crossovers. However, its relatively low ground clearance and the lack of an independent rear suspension means you should proceed with some caution.
While the 2009 model year’s starting MSRP was $29,220, you can find a used 2009 Envoy SLE today for somewhere between $6,100 and $9,300. If you’re in the market for one, take a look at some of the model’s off-road specs.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
Ground clearance
The GMC Envoy’s ground clearance is a modest 8 inches. While that’s much higher than, for instance,
a compact car
, it’s a little low to the ground for the world of off-roading. Ground clearance is the measurement of the distance between the lowest part of your car’s chassis and the ground beneath it. That means your GMC Envoy cannot clear anything higher than 8 inches without scraping the underbelly.
The ideal off-roading vehicle has a ground clearance between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. Some are even higher—like the
Land Rover Range Rover
, which has a ground clearance of 11.7 inches. but the higher your ground clearance is, the more interference you’ll see on your car’s stability and handling. Torque
To put it in simple terms,
torque
is the measure of “oompf” that your engine packs when you hit the throttle. To be a little more technical, it tells us how much rotational force your engine can produce, and for off-roading, you want lots of torque in lower gears. This is called low-end torque. This turning power at lower rpms is what will help you climb through rugged trails and over rocky ravines when needed. Ideally, you’ll see a high output of torque in the range of 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. The Envoy performs pretty well in this department, delivering 275 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.
Tires
The GMC Envoy takes P245/65R17 tires, and you can get them in an all-terrain grade. Having
all-terrain tires
means you can take your Envoy from the street to the trail, and your tires will perform well on both. However, they don’t last as long as regular all-season tires, so using them could drive up your cost of ownership. Drivetrain
There are two camps of drivetrain loyalists in the off-roading world—those who want all-wheel drive (AWD), and those who insist on rear-wheel drive (RWD). Both drivetrains have their pros and cons, but if you get a GMC Envoy, you’ll be in camp RWD.
Having an RWD vehicle offers the benefit of better handling and power transfer on and off the road.
MORE:
Angles
To know exactly what your car is capable of climbing over, up, and down, you need to understand its approach angle and departure angle:
- The approach angle tells us the maximum incline angle your car can climb up without scraping on the bottom.
- The departure angle tells us the maximum angle downward that your car can descend without scraping.
The GMC Envoy’s approach angle is an impressive 33.9 degrees, meaning it can handle some serious inclines without a problem. The departure angle is okay but not as impressive, at just 23 degrees. Don’t take it down too steep of a decline if you’re worried about scraping the underside.
Off-road rating: Rough and ready
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The GMC Envoy gets an R rating. It can handle a respectable amount of casual off-road terrain, but it won’t be blazing any new trails through the Rocky Mountains. Stick to dirt roads, popular off-road trails, and fairly level terrain that’s suited to the Envoy’s suspension and low ground clearance.
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now
The best off-road alternatives to the GMC Envoy
If you’re not entirely sold on the GMC Envoy, we’ve picked out a few alternatives to consider. You may want something that’s more comfortable on the highway, although that could be at the cost of off-road abilities. Or, maybe you’re craving a little more horsepower than what the Envoy offers.
Either way, here are a few alternatives to look at:
Alternative | Model | Used price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | 2006 Chevrolet HHR | $2,000 to $6,000 | The 2006 Chevrolet HHR is definitely not suitable for off-roading, but it is a comfortable and efficient crossover. Its 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder engine gets 143 horsepower. |
Best family alternative | 2008 Chevrolet Uplander | $3,000 to $6,000 | The Uplander has an even lower ground clearance than the HHR, with just 5.3 inches. However, this minivan comes with a 240-horsepower 3.9-liter V6 that can haul the family around in style. |
Most powerful alternative | 2006 Chevy TrailBlazer EXT | $3,000 to $7,000 | The TrailBlazer offers somewhat better angles and a slightly higher ground clearance than the Envoy. It’s powered by a 291-horsepower, 4.2-liter straight-six engine. |
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”
Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
When you find your perfect off-roading ride, you’ll want to pair it with the perfect insurance. That’s where
Jerry
can help! Jerry is
a licensed insurance broker
and car insurance comparison shopping app that makes buying the right coverage a breeze. Just download the Jerry app, answer a few questions about yourself and your car, and look over the list of competitive car insurance quotes that Jerry curates for you. When you find the policy that suits you best, Jerry makes switching over and canceling your old policy easy! And even better, the average Jerry user saves more than $800 a year on car insurance.
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.Jerryhelped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers
