Gaps between body panels are tight. The Midgate is what separates the Avalanche from other pickups. Safety story The Avalanche offers security in the form of a 360-degree safety system of occupant protection and crash-avoidance technologies. The lockable cargo cover comes standard on all trims, as do lockable storage compartments located on the sides of the cargo box. Wide front and rear tracks enhance handling and vehicle stability for a more confident road feel.
Major changes include a new six-speed automatic transmission and revised rear gear ratio for maximum fuel efficiency. They automatically move downward and outward when the doors are opened, providing a lower step-in height. It offers an 8,000-pound towing capacity, making it an excellent choice for pulling an enclosed car trailer or a fairly big boat. This is a heavy truck, however, weighing over two and half tons, empty, and we wouldn't call it quick. And it's a superb vehicle for towing. Drivers can add the FlexFuel V8 to two-wheel-drive trims as an option. Getting this wrong can cost you dearly.
The seat folds flat, allowing longer items to be carried between the cargo bed and into the rear passenger compartment. Everything about the dash and instrument cluster is leaner, cleaner and, dare we say it, more like a car's. The luggage rack crossrails remain optional, along with the navigation or rear-view camera only , the moonroof, the rear-seat entertainment system, brake controller, and block heater. The Avalanche is well-designed throughout, with impressive attention to detail. Outward visibility is about what's expected from a full-size pickup. Inside, Titanium and Cashmere are added to the list of interior colors. The Midgate opens to extend the cargo-carrying capability from the cargo bed's 5-foot-3-inch-long length to 8 feet 2 inches.
However, it offers a blend of those activities that nothing else does, and if you've got only one garage space to work with, it's hard to beat. The engines also feature a quiet-tuned alternator and an acoustically tuned engine cover that reduce engine noise heard inside the vehicle. Front door panels have hard-plastic fixed map pockets with molded-in can holders. The vehicle's sensing system provides industry-exclusive capability to deploy front seat safety belt pretensioners during certain rear-end collisions, enhancing the belt system's ability to hold the occupants firmly in place. Full-round door handles accommodate gloved hands. It features segment-leading fuel economy and flex-fuel capability; a sharp, precise driving feel, interior refinement and notable quietness -- it also has a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds. The V8 produces high levels of torque at lower speeds, which aids when towing, and features Active Fuel Management, which deactivates up to four cylinders when they're not needed to improve fuel efficiency.
The engines also feature a quiet-tuned alternator and an acoustically tuned engine cover that reduce engine noise heard inside the vehicle. To be precise, it's 1. Manufacturer Info Sources: 800-222-1020 -. You can buy towing scales which measure the total weight of your towed load to make sure that it doesn't exceed the capacity of your vehicle but equally important is to make sure that your load is spread evenly. Suspension, f: independent, upper and lower control arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar Suspension, r: live axle, upper and lower trailing links, track link, coil springs, stabilizer bar Ground clearance: 9. . A stiff frame reduces vibrations transmitted to the passenger cabin, while the strength and accuracy of the fully boxed frame also enable precise mounting and tuning of chassis and suspension components.
Distinctive design Avalanche's monochromatic design is lean and agile, with a steeply raked windshield and smooth roofline that accentuates the exterior length. All of Avalanche's engines are matched with a new, fuel-saving Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. Parking this big truck is aided by the optional rearview camera. Shortly after start-up production, the standard engine will change to a 5. It includes the fast-rake windshield; a power dome hood; a prominent fender design with integrated wheel flares; bold grille and headlamps; and a full-wrap fascia.
For most two-wheel-drive models, a 3. Each is available in both two- and four-wheel drive for 2009. Suspension, f: independent, upper and lower control arms, coil springs over hydraulic shocks, stabilizer bar Suspension, r: live axle, upper and lower trailing links, track link, coil springs, hydraulic shocks, stabilizer bar Ground clearance: 9. You can maneuver the tow hitch ball precisely below the trailer tongue, which is a great feature when hooking up a trailer. A high-relief lower fascia houses tow hooks and tries to look like the leading edge of a skid plate. A good idea in theory, but a truck as heavy as the Avalanche needs all eight cylinders nearly all of the time.
Overall, the interior is spacious, with generous storage in the center console. Hide full safety review Latest 2009 Avalanche Stories. The tailgate presents a more traditional pickup look than that of the previous models. The Z71 Off-Road Package includes 18-inch wheels, the Z71 suspension, tubular assist steps, locking rear differential and a skid-plate package. A touch-screen navigation radio is available and incorporates the monitor for the rearview camera system. One of the issues is, if what you're towing exceeds the weight of the vehicle towing it, stopping becomes an issue. Walkaround The Chevy Avalanche is a truck, and it's a big truck.
Perhaps the ultimate vehicular multitool, the Avalanche features a midgate that expands the cargo area into the passenger cab. The biggest change to the is the addition of a new Hyrda Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the long-running 4L60 four-speed unit found in earlier Avalanches, improving highway mileage and reducing engine noise in the process. Finally, fold those rear seats and the Midgate and remove and stow the back window and bed cover, and it's Driving Impressions The ride and handling of the current Avalanche is remarkable and a big improvement over the pre-2007 models. All of the instrument pointers have been made brighter for 2008. Drivetrain Warranty: This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect. He also created the annual Car of the Year and Exotic Car of the Year awards for Robb Report magazine.