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2009 GMC Envoy Safety Review

February 24, 2009

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Three and four stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection; three stars, rollover resistance
NHTSA

Marginal," frontal offset impact
IIHS

safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard equipment on all models
MyRide.com

the driver has a good view to the front and sides
ConsumerGuide

Editors at TheCarConnection.com are disappointed to note that the 2009 GMC Envoy scores only average marks for safety—whereas most large SUVs generally perform better overall.

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the more stringent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) give the 2009 GMC Envoy relatively low marks in frontal impacts. NHTSA's front-impact rating is only three stars for the driver, far off the mark for most new cars. In other testing, the 2009 Envoy fares somewhat better. NHTSA awards the Envoy GMC excellent marks in side-impact tests—which is good, since most injuries result from side impacts.

Standard safety equipment in the GMC Envoy is robust. According to Cars.com, it includes "all-disc antilock brakes, electronic stability control and side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system; Edmunds reports that "the 2009 GMC Envoy gains head curtain airbags as standard equipment." MyRide.com also notes that "safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard equipment on all models. Head-curtain and side-impact airbags are optional."

Visibility in the 2009 GMC Envoy gets mixed reviews. ConsumerGuide says that while "the driver has a good view to the front and sides" in the GMC Envoy, "headrests and roof pillars hamper lane changes and backing up." Kelley Blue Book, however, reports that GMC's design has "enough glass around the sides to give the driver a good 360-degree view."

Conclusion

Despite its significant size, the 2009 GMC Envoy is just adequate here.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Three and four stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection; three stars, rollover resistanceNHTSAMarginal," frontal offset impactIIHSsafety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard equipment on all modelsMyRide.comthe driver has a good view to the front and sidesConsumerGuide Editors at TheCarConnection.com are disappointed to note that the 2009 GMC Envoy scores only average marks for safety—whereas most large SUVs generally perform better overall. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the more stringent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) give the 2009 GMC Envoy relatively low marks in frontal impacts. NHTSA's front-impact rating is only three stars for the driver, far off the mark for most new cars. In other testing, the 2009 Envoy fares somewhat better. NHTSA awards the Envoy GMC excellent marks in side-impact tests—which is good, since most injuries result from side impacts. Standard safety equipment in the GMC Envoy is robust. According to Cars.com, it includes "all-disc antilock brakes, electronic stability control and side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system; Edmunds reports that "the 2009 GMC Envoy gains head curtain airbags as standard equipment." MyRide.com also notes that "safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard equipment on all models. Head-curtain and side-impact airbags are optional." Visibility in the 2009 GMC Envoy gets mixed reviews. ConsumerGuide says that while "the driver has a good view to the front and sides" in the GMC Envoy, "headrests and roof pillars hamper lane changes and backing up." Kelley Blue Book, however, reports that GMC's design has "enough glass around the sides to give the driver a good 360-degree view." ConclusionDespite its significant size, the 2009 GMC Envoy is just adequate here. 2009 GMC ENVOY STYLING | [7 out of 10] MyRide.com: "looks like it's ready to tackle the tough jobs (and it is), but the styling is conservative and upscale" Edmunds: "takes a trip uptown with fancier styling" Kelley Blue Book: "typical GMC : simple and clean...the instrument panel ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

GMC's own Acadia crossover, though more expensive, may be the best alternative to the Envoy if you're looking for a high-utility family vehicle; it's roomier and safer, and it performs better in just about every way. The Envoy is part of a dying breed of formerly top-selling truck-based SUVs that are gradually being replaced by safer, smoother-riding car-based crossovers; among those, the Envoy is particularly trucklike in its ride and handling. The Explorer, Pathfinder, and 4Runner especially all handle more securely, and their interiors have been kept better updated. The Pathfinder and 4Runner also offer some measure of off-road ability. Another possibility is the Kia Borrego, a truck-based SUV that is all-new this year, bucking the trend away from this type of vehicle. Compared to most of its rivals, the Borrego has a far quieter, more refined cabin and an interior that feels genuinely up-to-date. The 2009 GMC Envoy is closely related mechanically to the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which is similarly priced but doesn't offer a model like the luxurious Denali; however, the TrailBlazer gets a sporty SS model with a 6.0-liter V-8 for those who want a musclecar-like experience.

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See the GMC Envoy in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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