2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 LTZ 4WD Road Test

[91 s-10baja]

August 19, 20062007 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 LTZ 4WD Road Testby Rob Rothwell, Auto123.comConceptually, Chevy's unique Avalanche is unchanged for 2007, though in appearance and engineering, much has changed. For starters, the vehicle
is now founded on GM's new GMT900-series truck chassis, which also includes the handsome Yukon and Tahoe lines for 2007. Immediately noticeable is the integration of the front bumper into the Avalanche's front fascia. The redesign smooths-out the nose of the big rig, making it considerably more aerodynamic while reducing wind-rush and increasing fuel economy ever so slightly. The rakish angle of the truck's windscreen also contributes to a reduction in the Avalanche's co-efficient of drag. Overall, exterior build-quality is vastly improved over the previous generation of the re-configurable pickup/SUV. Despite the significant exterior alterations, the improvements most likely to catch a consumer's attention are inside. In keeping with the GMT900 design theme, the Avalanche's instrument panel has been lowered and overhauled for 2007, resulting in a look that's more Cadillac than Chevy. The dashboard layout and cabin architecture now rivals the class-leading arrangement Ford has been inserting into its trucks for the last couple years.

The tester GM provided me was a fully-loaded LTZ edition of the Avalanche, on to which was added an entertainment system in the way of
a DVD player supported with wireless headphones and a power-operated sunroof. With such fixins, the Avalanche does a good job of mimicking a luxo land-yacht rather than a full-size, half-ton pickup. The Avalanche's new cabin is quite striking, not to mention spacious. The materials in use are far less truck-like than what previously lined the inner walls. The upscale environment and wonderfully comfortable seats are now worthy partners to the vehicle's gentle ride quality. The Avalanche is so proficient at absorbing road degradation before it unduly jostles the cabin that occupants might be surprised to learn they are riding in a rugged, four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle with a minimum of 231 mm (9.1 in) of ground clearance; the Avalanche conceals its four-wheel-drive capability that well. (A two-wheel-drive Avalanche is available in both the US and Canada). Operational refinement is definitely an Avalanche highlight- and one that extends to its drivetrain as well.

My tester was mobilized by a 310 horsepower, 5.3 litre, flex-fuel V8, which is standard in the 4WD Avalanche. Flex-fuel means that the engine can
live on a mixture of up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Ethanol is a bio-fuel derived from plant material such as grain and corn. Its usage, while in its infancy, will help relieve our dependence on petroleum while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Bio-fuel is also a renewable source of energy, making it a potential boon to the domestic agriculture industry. Further greening of the Vortec 5300 is accomplished with the application of GM's Active Fuel Management system, which deactivates four of the eight cylinders when power demand is low. Fewer cylinders combusting equals less fuel burned, resulting in reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency. And let's face it, anything that'll squeeze a few more kilometres from a tank of gas is greatly welcomed in a vehicle weighing in at a hefty 2,518 kg (5,539 lb). But even with the latest technology working to conserve fuel, the 2007 Avalanche is thirsty. Travelling 100 kilometres in town will, according to GM, burn 15.4 litres of conventional fuel. The same distance on the highway requires 10.4 litres of the golden nectar. (15 / 22 mpg respectively). Mixing ethanol with gasoline will reduce the figures noted.

Although its horsepower rating combined with a maximum torque rating of 335 foot-pounds sounds very impressive on paper, it didn't seem to
materialize under the right foot. Punch off-the-line is brisk however the Avalanche is left begging for additional highway passing power, especially on mountain ascents. If heavy towing is planned, one might want to consider an upgrade to the optional 6.0 litre V8, which culminates in 355 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque. Unfortunately fuel consumption ratings are not yet available for this monster. Though its brawn sometimes feels a little pencil-necked, the Vortec 5300 is a sweet operator that is tow-rated at 3,545 kg (7,800 lb) when combined with 4WD. Unless pushed to its limits, this honey-smooth mill never sounds gruff or truck-like. Its heavily muted exhaust note quietly burbles in a cabin substantially free of wind and road noise. In both ride and operational refinement, the Avalanche is more SUV than pickup truck, which makes sense given its SUV core; the result- a vehicle that is very comfortable to spend time in, on the road or off it.

So how does the Avalanche distinguish itself from an SUV, I hear you ask. Well for those not yet versed in its ability to morph- a quick explanation.
The three solid panels covering the vehicle's cargo box can be removed to reveal a rubber-lined bed. If items too long to fit within the box require hauling, simply flip and fold the rear seat forward, remove the rear windshield and drop the mid-gate (also known as the rear wall of the cab or the rear bulkhead) and voila, the cab is completely open at the rear, providing 2.5 metres (8'2") of useable bed length. Lengthy objects can now extend into the rear portion of the open cab. Okay, it actually takes a fair bit of effort to maximize the Avalanche's cargo capacity, but do you see the versatility? Depending on seating choice, the Avalanche can carry up to six occupants when its rear seat is in place and a bench seat replaces the buckets up front.

A feature I like with the Avalanche is its electronically locking rear tailgate, which creates a secure, fairly watertight storage area when the three panels are in place over the cargo box. I also like the fact that the panels
are strong enough to stand on if necessary. Doing so makes the available roof rack much easier to access. So now that we've covered its practicality, I'd like to touch on both braking and handling qualities. The big Avy is hauled back down to earth by a full set of powerful, antilock, vented disc brakes. The pedal controlling the binders feels firm while returning excellent predictability and brake modulation. Keeping my tester square to the road and under control through the corners was GM's sophisticated AutoRide, road-sensing, electronically controlled shock absorbers with air-assisted, automatic rear self leveling (standard on LTZ). The road-holding tenacity of the so-equipped Avalanche is quite superb, although significant body lean accompanies rapid directional changes. Yet the driver feels very secure. Should a directional change be unintended, StabiliTrak - GM's vehicle stability control system with their Proactive Roll Avoidance program - will intrude with wheel-specific braking and engine retardation to quickly restore order. Kudos to GM for providing this important technology as standard Avalanche equipment.

Other safety gear includes dual-stage front airbags and optional front-to-rear side head curtain airbags. Too bad GM didn't make the side
curtains standard as well. Nonetheless GM included tire-pressure monitoring and OnStar as standard fare along with dual-zone manual climate control, cruise control, full analogue instrumentation, driver information centre, electrochromatic auto-dimming rear mirror with compass, tilt steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, keyless entry and power windows as standard equipment. Building on that generous foundation is a plethora of standalone options and option packages, enabling Avalanche owners to fulfill their decadent desires.

The Avalanche is a unique vehicle among full-size trucks and SUVs. It's neither- but somehow it performs both roles seamlessly and competently.
In closing, I must mention a strange phenomenon that takes hold when I climb behind the wheel of the beefy Avalanche- I become relaxed. There's something about its girth in conjunction with its genteel operation that takes me to my "special place." A place in which I know there is no point in trying to out-hustle the Bimmer next to me or thread-the-needle through slow moving traffic. Nope, it's time to sit back, enjoy the Bose-driven tunes and glide home in a tremendously pleasurable, SUV-come-pickup.


Impressive:

Refined operation
Quiet, smooth ride
Versatility 'til the cows come home- or the kids
(Photo: Rob Rothwell)



Relaxing to drive

Unimpressive:

Disappointing passing performance
Still a fuel gobbler
Poor rearward visibility
Expensive, (Canadian starting price of $38,750, as tested of $56,255)

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[Bornfromparents]

saw one yesterday, it was great looking it was a black ltz with 20"
wheels. I thought it was a huge improvement over the outgoing model.

[61695]

Never got the Avalanche. Is it a sub or a truck ?

[tgagneguam]

5,500+ pounds with a 5.3 liter V-8 that generates 310 horsepower and 335 foot-pounds, and it doesn't get great gas mileage?! Color me surprised. For what it's worth, and noticeably you failed to point this out in any appreciable fashion, Rob, comparable vehicles like the Titan KingCab get even worse mileage!

Generally, though, the criticisms are reasonable, as are the appropriate and deserved praises.

[Tiger]

This is easily the best truck on the marke for most households who need one. Versatility is unmatched. It also gets the best MPG of any full size truck available currently.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

5,500+ pounds with a 5.3 liter V-8 that generates 310 horsepower and 335 foot-pounds, and it doesn't get great gas mileage?! Color me surprised. For what it's worth, and noticeably you failed to point this out in any appreciable fashion, Rob, comparable vehicles like the Titan KingCab get even worse mileage!

Generally, though, the criticisms are reasonable, as are the appropriate and deserved praises.

Why single out the Titan? The Ram 1500, F-150, Silverado 1500, and Tundra crew cab all fare just as poorly.

[USA1Fan]

The Silverado is still better than the other trucks you listed. I'm sure pointing out the #2 vehicle in a list ranked from best to worst wouldn't illustrate the point as well.

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by Tiger

This is easily the best truck on the marke for most households who need one. Versatility is unmatched. It also gets the best MPG of any full size truck available currently.

I agree.

I hated the way the first one looked, but the new styled one looks actually very good to me.

For all the people who want an Full Sized SUV or pickup....here is a vehicle that is both in one. If I ever needed or wanted ANY full size truck or SUV, I'd get this instead of a Tahoe or pickup.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by USA1Fan

The Silverado is still better than the other trucks you listed. I'm sure pointing out the #2 vehicle in a list ranked from best to worst wouldn't illustrate the point as well.

Good point. I like the Titan a lot, actually, so I get defensive when hordes of fellow GMI members toss insults at it. But fuel economy is one of its weaknesses.

[DuSpinnst]

At least they got rid of that disgusting cladding.

[likearock00]

She is evolving quite nicely, beautiful and rugged all in one helluva package!!!

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by 61695

Never got the Avalanche. Is it a sub or a truck ?

It and the Escalade EXT are SUT's.