The XL models have been stretched 16 inches, increasing the wheelbase to 129 inches. This provides space for third-row seating. One way to distinguish an Envoy XL from the standard Envoy is to look at the rear doors. The Envoy's rear fenders overlap the rear door edges; the Envoy XL, with its length stretched amidships, has enough space for the rear edge of the rear doors to drop straight down all the way to the rocker panels. Some buyers see the Envoy XL as a less-expensive alternative to the full-size GMC Yukon. Indeed, the Envoy XL is nine inches longer than a Yukon, but it's four inches narrower.

Envoy models share their chassis and engines with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Buick Rainier (as well as the Saab 9-7X and Isuzu Ascender). Each of these nameplates boasts unique styling, but there are feature differences as well. The GMC offers more features than the Chevy, and the high-end Denali versions are GMC exclusives.

Envoy may be the best-looking of the bunch. It looks like it's ready to tackle the tough jobs (and it is), but the styling is conservative and upscale. It looks more sophisticated than the TrailBlazer. Envoy's giant black grille with its big ruby-red logo says GMC in no uncertain terms.

The front end, with its distinct headlamps, round fog lights and pouty front bumper with a wide, slim slit at the bottom is clean and sleek. Strong beveled shapes extend along the sides and around the wheel wells, and help make the Envoy look imposing. It doesn't have the TrailBlazer's showy fender flares, instead housing its big 17-inch wheels inside hefty wheel openings that are part of its trapezoidal design theme. The rear bumper is stepped for its full length, and includes big round backup lights. From behind the wheel the Envoy seems to be lean forward as you look down over the strong hood, as if poised for action.

Denali models are distinguished by their chromed honeycomb grille, body-color bumpers that reach lower to the ground, body-color mirrors, and 18-inch polished aluminum wheels. Running boards, which also serve as stone guards, are integrated into the rocker panels.

While the standard Envoy is a handsome vehicle, the proportion of the XL models make them look ungainly. They look too long in the back relative to their front proportions.