Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year

Motor Trend Magazine Names GMC Envoy 2002 Sport/Utility of the Year

ANAHEIM, CA - The 2002-Model California International Auto Show (CIAS) played host to the announcement of Motor Trend's 2002 Sport/Utility of the Year today, with honors going to the GMC Envoy (issue dated December 2001). Motor Trend's editorial staff selected this year's winner after conducting ten rigorous tests on 14 vehicles. Contenders included: the Buick Rendezvous, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda CR-V, Isuzu Axiom, Jeep Liberty, Land Rover Freelander, Mercedes-Benz G500, Mercedes-Benz ML500, Mercury Mountaineer, Nissan Xterra S/C and the Toyota Highlander.

"No other new or substantially upgraded sport/utility vehicle addresses our criteria and testing as effectively as the new GMC Envoy," said Editor-In-Chief C. Van Tune. "It offers solid powertrain performance, good off-road agility and ability, worthy load and tow capacity, on-highway chassis quietness and smoothness, pleasing handling, high feature content, a livable interior, premium design image, and reasonable value."

To be eligible for Sport/Utility of the Year, a contestant must be new or substantially redesigned, as well as on sale in North America by January 1, 2002. Now in its fourth year, the annual Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year has become the most important and prestigious award in the SUV category.

"We are truly thrilled to receive the Motor Trend '2002 Sport/Utility of the Year' award," said Pontiac-GMC General Manager Lynn Myers. "The new Envoy is a very important vehicle in our GMC lineup. Many people worked very hard to deliver the Envoy's outstanding design and capabilities. This is a great recognition of the team's efforts."

The complete report on the 2002 Sport/Utility of the Year can be found in the December issue of Motor Trend and at www.motortrend.com. Television coverage of the editors' testing will be aired on the Speedvision Network in November, and on the airwaves via Motor Trend Radio (consult your local listings).

The 2002-Model California International Auto Show is presented by the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association and Southland Motor Car Dealers Association in conjunction with Motor Trend, sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and produced by Liberty Productions. The show will be open to the public Wednesday, October 10 through Sunday, October 14, 2001 at the Anaheim Convention Center, located at 800 West Katella.