What is it?
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
What's special about it?
Part SUV, part pickup truck, the Chevrolet Avalanche has always been an odd duck. A hot-selling odd duck. While other SUV/pickup mutations like the Subaru Baja have floundered in the marketplace, Chevy has sold more than 379,500 Avalanches since the spring of 2001. Turns out there's a market for a Suburban with a bed.
The redesigned 2007 Chevy Avalanche gets the all-new platform, the new interior, and the new look Chevy has already debuted on the 2007 Tahoe and Suburban SUVs. That means it's unquestionably better performing and more refined than the truck it's replacing.
When it reaches dealers this spring, three trim levels will be offered — LS, LT and LTZ — each with rear- or four-wheel drive. A Z71 off-road package will be offered later in the model year.
At the start of production, every Avalanche will come with a 5.3-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management which seamlessly switches from eight-cylinder to four-cylinder operations to save fuel. When it's running on all eight, the 5.3 makes 320 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 340 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm in 2WD models, and 310 hp with 335 lb-ft of torque in 4WD models.
An all-aluminum 6.0-liter V8 with variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management will be added to the lineup later. It's rated at 355 hp at 5,400 rpm and 365 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm in the two- and four-wheel-drive models. And while both Avalanche engines run on 87 octane regular, the 5.3 can also run on E85 which is a blend of cleaner-burning 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline.
Both engines are also backed by a four-speed automatic transmission, and carry the same maximum tow rating — 8,000 pounds for the 2WD models and 7,800 pounds with 4WD.
Dimensionally, the new Avalanche is nearly identical to its predecessor, but its bed has grown 2 inches longer. The new measurements are 5.3 feet long with the unique Midgate closed and 8.2 feet with it open and the rear seat folded. Chevy says with the Midgate open and the rear seat folded, the Avalanche can carry 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood with the tailgate closed.
Also worth mentioning is the availability of Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist in combination with a rearview camera for the ultimate in safety while backing up. Chevy has also made the StabiliTrak stability control system with new rollover-mitigation technology standard and has added head-protection side curtain airbags to the options list.
What's Edmunds' Take?
During today's half-hour press conference, Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper said, "The 2007 Avalanche is the ultimate utility vehicle."
We're not going to go that far, but the 2007 Avalanche certainly has what it needs to continue the success of its predecessor, including Chevy's aggressive new pricing strategy. — Scott Oldham
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
What's special about it?
Part SUV, part pickup truck, the Chevrolet Avalanche has always been an odd duck. A hot-selling odd duck. While other SUV/pickup mutations like the Subaru Baja have floundered in the marketplace, Chevy has sold more than 379,500 Avalanches since the spring of 2001. Turns out there's a market for a Suburban with a bed.
The redesigned 2007 Chevy Avalanche gets the all-new platform, the new interior, and the new look Chevy has already debuted on the 2007 Tahoe and Suburban SUVs. That means it's unquestionably better performing and more refined than the truck it's replacing.
When it reaches dealers this spring, three trim levels will be offered — LS, LT and LTZ — each with rear- or four-wheel drive. A Z71 off-road package will be offered later in the model year.
At the start of production, every Avalanche will come with a 5.3-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management which seamlessly switches from eight-cylinder to four-cylinder operations to save fuel. When it's running on all eight, the 5.3 makes 320 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 340 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm in 2WD models, and 310 hp with 335 lb-ft of torque in 4WD models.
An all-aluminum 6.0-liter V8 with variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management will be added to the lineup later. It's rated at 355 hp at 5,400 rpm and 365 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm in the two- and four-wheel-drive models. And while both Avalanche engines run on 87 octane regular, the 5.3 can also run on E85 which is a blend of cleaner-burning 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline.
Both engines are also backed by a four-speed automatic transmission, and carry the same maximum tow rating — 8,000 pounds for the 2WD models and 7,800 pounds with 4WD.
Dimensionally, the new Avalanche is nearly identical to its predecessor, but its bed has grown 2 inches longer. The new measurements are 5.3 feet long with the unique Midgate closed and 8.2 feet with it open and the rear seat folded. Chevy says with the Midgate open and the rear seat folded, the Avalanche can carry 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood with the tailgate closed.
Also worth mentioning is the availability of Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist in combination with a rearview camera for the ultimate in safety while backing up. Chevy has also made the StabiliTrak stability control system with new rollover-mitigation technology standard and has added head-protection side curtain airbags to the options list.
What's Edmunds' Take?
During today's half-hour press conference, Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper said, "The 2007 Avalanche is the ultimate utility vehicle."
We're not going to go that far, but the 2007 Avalanche certainly has what it needs to continue the success of its predecessor, including Chevy's aggressive new pricing strategy. — Scott Oldham
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