2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

[91 s-10baja]

By Kelsey Mays

Cars.com
August 24, 2006

function openVpedia(url){ carWin=window.open(url,'imagePopup','width=350,hei ght=347,top=33,left=33,scrollbars'); carWin.focus(); ** Chevy's redesigned 2007 Avalanche retains its forebear's midgate magic, but the entire package has been overhauled as part of GM's full-size truck platform revamp — everything from the Chevrolet Suburban SUV to the GMC Sierra pickup was upgraded for 2007. Although it's plagued by a few low-tech components, I found that the Avalanche offered a refined ride, plenty of luxury features and a much-improved interior over its predecessor.
Mike Hanley imageFront view
The Avalanche's bold front end is identical to the new Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Note the bumper's flush integration with the headlights and fenders — a far cry from GM's previous trucks.

The Avalanche originated as GM's solution to the forced tradeoff between pickup truck cab space and bed space. When crew cab pickups became mainstream around 2000, their roomy, four-door cabins seemed liberating, but they required the cargo beds to be shorter, a significant drawback. The 2002 Avalanche addressed the issue with a trick midgate that folded down to extend the bed into the cab, effectively turning a short-bed crew cab into a long-bed regular cab.

Mike Hanley imageSide views
From the side, the Avalanche retains much of the original truck's profile. Twenty-inch polished aluminum wheels (below) came standard on my LTZ test vehicle. Enormous rims often look gaudy — as they're sometimes intended to — but thanks to the chunky spokes and high-profile tires, these retain an elegant appearance.

Three trim levels are available: LS, LT and LTZ; each can be equipped with rear- or four-wheel drive. I tested a four-wheel-drive Avalanche LTZ.

Exterior & Styling
The previous Avalanche's body cladding is gone, replaced with integrated rocker panels and bumpers. The face closely resembles that of Chevrolet's 2007 Tahoe, with jeweled headlights and a preponderant grille, with the gold bowtie front and center. It's a rugged but refined look that I found pleasing from most angles — and after seeing the redesigned Silverado pickup, I wonder why Chevrolet felt the need to go with a different design.
Mike Hanley imageRear view
Apart from the lack of body cladding, the rear end doesn't look much different from the previous Avalanche.


Key elements of the previous model remain — namely the triangular pillars descending from the cab's C-pillars to its bed. At 221 inches long, the Avalanche is about the same length as its predecessor and just an inch short of Chevrolet's extended-length Suburban.
Mike Hanley imageEngine
A 5.3-liter V-8 is standard. Starting in fall 2006, the Avalanche will also offer a 6.0-liter V-8.

Here's how the Avalanche stacks up against some crew cab alternatives:
Crew Cabs Compared

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500**2007 Ford F-1502006 Dodge Ram 1500Length (in.)221.3230.2224.0247.7Width (in.)79.180.078.980.0Height (in.)76.673.776.078.7Ground clearance (in.)9.19.08.37.7Maximum payload (lbs.)*1,3552,0101,5601,880Turning circle (ft.)43.047.245.149.7Maximum towing capacity (lbs.)*7,8008,5009,2008,200EPA gas mileage (city/highway, mpg)15/2016/2014/1814/18Manufacturer data. Data applies to 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 5.3L LTZ 4x4, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L LTZ 4x4, 2007 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 5.4L Lariat 4x4 and 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 5.7L Laramie 4x4.
*May require optional equipment.
**Preliminary data.


Ride & Handling
A coil-over-shock independent front suspension replaces the previous torsion bar arrangement. GM says the new setup is lighter and has reduced fore-aft stiffness for a better ride. The rear suspension keeps its five-link, non-independent design. An optional Autoride adaptive suspension system on my test vehicle proved useful through turns, automatically firming up the outboard side and diminishing the truck's body roll. Cornering at moderate speeds induces gradual understeer, and the Avalanche's Bridgestone AL2 all-season tires provide more noise than grip.
Kelsey Mays imageInterior
High-quality materials abound throughout the cabin, but there are two caveats: The small climate and stereo controls may be difficult to operate if you're wearing work gloves, and the low-set dashboard means there's a lot of distance for eyes to travel between the road and the navigation and radio displays. It's a good thing the navigation system's spoken directions come out loud and clear.

Minimum ground clearance is 9.1 inches. Over rough roads, the chassis swallowed potholes and other bumps with little cabin disturbance.

Steering is now rack-and-pinion instead of the previous (and somewhat archaic) recirculating-ball type that has more parts and usually provides little steering feedback. It feels less assisted than the earlier setup, but it still lacks much in the way of feedback.

Going & Stopping

Avalanche Engines 5.3-liter V-8 (RWD)5.3-liter V-8 (4WD)6.0-liter V-8AvailabilityStandard, RWDStandard, 4WDOptional, RWD/4WDConstructionIron block/ aluminum headAll-aluminumAll-aluminumHorsepower (@ rpm)320 @ 5,200310 @ 5,200366 @ 5,500Torque (lbs.-ft. @ rpm)340 @ 4,200335 @ 4,400380 @ 4,300Required fuelRegular (87-octane) gasoline or E85Regular (87-octane) gasoline or E85Regular (87-octane) gasolineEPA gas mileage (city/highway, mpg)15/2115/2014/19 (RWD), 14/18 (4WD)Manufacturer data.


The 5.3-liter V-8 in my four-wheel-drive Avalanche LTZ makes 310 horsepower and 335 pounds-feet of torque. Two-wheel-drive models carry a different version of the engine with slightly higher output, while a 6.0-liter V-8 is optional across the board. The previous Avalanche offered a heavy-duty model with an 8.1-liter V-8, but it's been dropped because of low demand.
Front seats
Front seats are supportive for longer trips, and they offer plenty of vertical and horizontal travel.

All three engines come with a four-speed automatic transmission. A cylinder deactivation system shuts down four cylinders in low-load situations for better gas mileage.
Kelsey Mays imageFront storage
The large center console is mostly taken up by accessories for the optional rear DVD entertainment system and, if it's not in the glove box, the owner's manual. Fortunately, a large center tray accepts sunglasses, pens and any other stuff.
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[mjd1001]

Of all the new SUVs, and the pictures we have seen of the upcoming new Silverado....the new Avalanche is my favorite.

When it gets the 6 speed auto...it will be quite a vehicle.

[69Firebird400]

The new Avalanche looks great. It sort of went from a face only its mother could love (no offense meant to GMT800 Avalanche lovers, of course!) to a handsome, stylish shape.

My brother is really interested in a new Avalanche, and I sent him the link to the review. There was a reference in the review to the 6.0 liter engine being optional soon...does anyone know when the Avalanche will be available with the 6.0? I think he's waiting for that more than the 6-speed automatic.

[TahoeMikeZ71]

I love that sunburst orange color on the Avalanche.

[fenderbender]

That orange is my favorite color on the av.

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by fenderbender

That orange is my favorite color on the av.

ditto.

[Joe in T.O.]

I want one with a diesel.

[caddycruiser]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

The new Avalanche looks great. It sort of went from a face only its mother could love (no offense meant to GMT800 Avalanche lovers, of course!) to a handsome, stylish shape.

My brother is really interested in a new Avalanche, and I sent him the link to the review. There was a reference in the review to the 6.0 liter engine being optional soon...does anyone know when the Avalanche will be available with the 6.0? I think he's waiting for that more than the 6-speed automatic.

Actually, it's been orderable at dealers for a bit now, and in one big Avalanche owner club, a few people who ordered 6.0L Av's are just now getting them.

Still the 4-spd, but the 6.0L is definately available, and quite a few have been built already.

[usa1]

I like the Avalanche, but its simply too big. I understand why and all, but if GM would make a smaller version of the same idea, I would be more interested. Something about 15% smaller on the outside would be ideal. 220" long is LONG and the thing is very wide.

I almost bought a new Avalanche, but when I saw how big it was in my garage, it turned me office.

Mark

[1969CamaroSS350]

My cousin just bought a Sunburst Orange 02 Avalanche. The new one looks so much better the previous gen.

[USA1Fan]

Originally Posted by usa1

I like the Avalanche, but its simply too big. I understand why and all, but if GM would make a smaller version of the same idea, I would be more interested. Something about 15% smaller on the outside would be ideal. 220" long is LONG and the thing is very wide.

I almost bought a new Avalanche, but when I saw how big it was in my garage, it turned me office.

Mark

You sound like one of the people GM hoped would buy the GMC Envoy XL. I personally thought that was a fairly bad idea and that they should've done something very similar to the Trailblazer instead, but almost exactly in the Av's layout (ie.- without the gizmomatic roof in back. Make it more truck and less SUV, just like the Av).

[Threxx]

The Avalanche needs four things to be perfect IMO:

-Console shifter rather than column shifter. The Caddy twins need this even moreso.

-GM's magnetic ride control available or standard on the upper tier models

-Insulation on the side/bed storage bins that we all know are perfect to use as beer coolers but the ice melts too quick.

-Pushbutton start available or standard on the upper tier models. The avalanche not having it is one thing but I was shocked when I saw the Escalade was missing it.

[Threxx]

Oh I almost forgot something very important - I forgot it because I keep thinking it has already been done since, well, everyone said the 900s would have the 6-speed auto before they were released.

But yeah... they need the 6-speed, bad.