Chevrolet Avalanche
Cox News Service
November 10,2006
Part SUV, part pickup truck, the one-of-a-kind Chevrolet Avalanche has been redesigned for 2007 to make it more driver-friendly, while retaining the features that make it uniquely versatile among its peers.
 Photo by Chevrolet
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Chevrolet Avalanche | |
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ABOUT THE CHEVROLET AVALANCE:
Body style: Four-door, crew cab pickup truck
Trim lines: LS, LT, LTX
Price: $46,235 LT tester
Drive: Rear-wheel, four-wheel
Seating: Two in front, three in back
Engine: 5.3-liter V-8
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Miles per gallon of fuel: EPA estimate 15 city / 20 highway
WHAT'S SPECIAL: The Avalanche is the only vehicle on the road with a midgate that drops down to extend cargo space into the rear seating area. When the midgate is open, the cargo bed goes from 5.3-feet long to more than 8 feet long -- just in case you want to haul sheets of plywood home.
WHAT WE LIKE: Be honest, you're more likely to be hauling passengers than lumber. The cabin comfortably accommodates five. The heated leather front seats in the LT package are recliner comfy, and there is little road noise and plenty interior storage.
WHAT ISN'T THERE: Nimbleness. This is a big rig; parking may prove a challenge. An ultrasonic rear parking system that beeps as you close in on stationary objects and rearview camera are options you want to seriously consider.
YOU OUGHTA KNOW: Roof-mounted side-curtain air bags are part of a system that includes rollover sensors. If a rollover is detected, the air bags will stay inflated longer than air bags deployed only for side impacts. The feature is optional. It was part of the $3,650 LT package in the test vehicle. Electronic stability control with rollover mitigation is standard.
EXTRAS: The available extras include a DVD rear entertainment system with an 8-inch screen and wireless headphones. There are also video inputs and 12-volt power plugs to allow bringing along a video game console. An iPod jack is standard, and XM Satellite Radio is available. The setup allows front and rear passengers to enjoy different forms of highway entertainment.
AND ANOTHER THING: The 5.3-liter V-8 uses active fuel management technology to shut down four cylinders when cruising to get more miles per gallon.
