Chevy's Avalanche best in class

[jfnz24]

First Look: Chevy's 2007 Avalanche the class of the pickup field

Thursday, July 27, 2006
By Don Hammonds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

If ever there were such a thing as an elegant pickup truck, Chevy's 2007 Avalanche would qualify.


Like the company's Suburban and Tahoe, the Avalanche went under the knife this year and emerged from its makeover a totally new truck in a lot of ways.

I had my first look at the Avalanche and the styling is clearly a home run. While it has some of the flavor of the older design, the new model is more formal looking with clean flanks, chunky chrome block lettering and a steeply raked windshield. This class act of the pickup field is almost too nice to put to work!

Another thing that I noticed right off the bat is how quiet this truck is. When you're inside with the windows rolled up, you can't hear a thing. Even with the windows down, there's not much noise.

The rear suspension system has been redesigned and the front suspension has coils over shock absorbers. The steering feels particularly well balanced and responsive thanks to a new rack and pinion steering system.

When I recently tested the Chevy Suburban, I said that it seemed to require much less space to turn around than other trucks do -- the same is true of the Avalanche. The turning radius has been reduced to 43 feet from 43.3 feet.

Inside, the materials, fit and finish and general look ranks up there with the best -- meaning Toyota and Nissan. The seating position feels more car-like partly because the dashboard has been lowered, as is the case with all of Chevy's new trucks and SUVs. The dash itself is a classy, hooded design with simple, logical gauges and controls.

There's plenty of power, too, with a new 5.3-liter, 320-horsepower V-8 that Chevy says will get 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. You'll also be able to get a 355-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 if you'd like even more power. Four-wheel drive also is available.

Getting in and out is a snap because the doors are wide enough for easy entry. And Avalanche also features the Midgate, which can be lowered to make room for lengthy cargo -- or just because you want more fresh air. The main problem is the same one you would have with any big pickup: Sheer mass trying to make its way through traffic. Parking is a challenge but, thanks to a rear parking assist feature, it's not as difficult as it could have been.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06208/708851-97.stm

[adplusone]

Sure is better looking without the plastic cladding....

[adplusone]

From the article....

"When I recently tested the Chevy Suburban, I said that it seemed to require much less space to turn around than other trucks do -- the same is true of the Avalanche. The turning radius has been reduced to 43 feet from 43.3 feet."

A .3 increase...thats 4 inches....like he could really detect that....sounds like he has been reading too many GM press releasees or something....

[tholland]

Originally Posted by adplusone

From the article....

"When I recently tested the Chevy Suburban, I said that it seemed to require much less space to turn around than other trucks do -- the same is true of the Avalanche. The turning radius has been reduced to 43 feet from 43.3 feet."

A .3 increase...thats 4 inches....like he could really detect that....sounds like he has been reading too many GM press releasees or something....

I think by "other trucks" he meant competitors trucks, not the previous generation of the same trucks.

[cincygoblue]

Turning Radius (kbb.com):
Avalanche: 43 ft
Ram Quad Cab: 45.7 ft
Tundra Double Cab (smaller truck): 47.0 ft
Ridgeline (smaller truck): 42.6 ft
F150 Super Crew: Can't find anywhere (too embarassed?)

He isn't imagining the tighter turning radius than most similar (?) trucks.

[asim]

Originally Posted by cincygoblue

Turning Radius (kbb.com):
Avalanche: 43 ft
Ram Quad Cab: 45.7 ft
Tundra Double Cab (smaller truck): 47.0 ft
Ridgeline (smaller truck): 42.6 ft
F150 Super Crew: Can't find anywhere (too embarassed?)

He isn't imagining the tighter turning radius than most similar (?) trucks.

Cool, good job GM!

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by adplusone

Sure is better looking without the plastic cladding....

I agree, the new Avalanche looks better without the cladding. But, the old Avy had an optional WBH option.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by cincygoblue

Turning Radius (kbb.com):
Avalanche: 43 ft
Ram Quad Cab: 45.7 ft
Tundra Double Cab (smaller truck): 47.0 ft
Ridgeline (smaller "truck"): 42.6 ft
F150 Super Crew: Can't find anywhere (too embarassed?)

He isn't imagining the tighter turning radius than most similar (?) trucks.

Wow, I didn't know the Ridgeline had such a huge turning radius for such a small vehicle....(I can't bring myself to calling it a truck!)

[igor]

F150

Supercab has 46.40"
regular "crew cab" F150 has 41.80"
Supercab with 5.5ft box 43.60

No idea which is the most comparable in overall length, utility etc .. so make your call.

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sp...-150&trimid=-1

Igor

[jomo]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

Wow, I didn't know the Ridgeline had such a huge turning radius for such a small vehicle....(I can't bring myself to calling it a truck!)

The problem, for ole' Ridgey is the fact that it's really Front Wheel Drive. Ie. it's got a transverse mounted V-6. All else being equal, turning circle on Rear-Wheel Drive is almost always better than Front Wheel Drive. The engine/transaxle tends to intrude into the space-claim the wheels have to turn in.

[USA1Fan]

Actually, inline engined rear wheel drive vehicles tend to be the best overall. That was one of the things that most impressed my wife and I about the 2003 Trailblazer LT 4x4 (standard, not EXT) w/4200 straight 6. It actually had a better turning radius than the 92 Toyota Corolla that shared stables with it for a year or two.

As far as the Ford trucks and their turning radius, I'm not sure what the "regular "crew cab" F150" is referring to- maybe their version of the extended cab truck? The Supercab w/5.5ft box is the closest thing to the Avalanche, and compares pretty directly with the crew cab Silverado w/5'8" box (Chevy calls that box the "short box"). The regular "crew cab" Ford is probably similar to an extended cab short box Silverado (only became available in 06, I believe), which has a shorter wheelbase. That also happens to be an advantage of the Avalanche- it combines crew cab interior space with the short box when you need it with the ability to convert to a standard cab interior w/long box (8+ feet) in a pinch. None of the other trucks can do this.

[igor]

^^yeah the midgate is nice ...

the "regular 'extende cab" refers to the fact that all F150's come with suicide doors .. there is no true single cab on F150 since the 2005 redesign - that is all ...

Igor

[TahoeMikeZ71]

there is no true single cab on F150 since the 2005 redesign - that is all ...

You mean the '04 redesign.

[Tiger]

The New Lanche is a huge improvement. And I liked the cladding!

The cracked me up though.

Inside, the materials, fit and finish and general look ranks up there with the best -- meaning Toyota and Nissan.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha...assuming he's comparing it to the Tundra (antiquated) and Nissan Titan (cheap). The best interior in the class is in the Ford F-150. Guess he has never been in ond of those?

[igor]

Originally Posted by TAHOE LT

You mean the '04 redesign.

yeah - I get my 04's and 05's mixed up .. it was before I really started paying attention ..

Igor