2007 Chevrolet Avalanche Test Drive

Practically Brutish

Despite a more civilized demeanor, the new Chevy Avalanche maintains its unique versatility and raucous persona.

Trading a little of its maverick character for a dash of distinguished poise, the redesigned 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche has become a stronger player in a growing market of luxury-appointed four-door pickups. Its added refinement won’t shock the system of the Mountain Dew-chugging target customer, as the Avalanche remains rugged and highly useful for unwieldy recreational and utilitarian demands.

Its individuality hinges on an innovative "Midgate," a fold-down wall behind the rear seats that extends the pick-up bed by several feet and offers numerous passenger/cargo configurations. And now that the Avalanche occupies a place on GM’s growing roster of FlexFuel vehicles, which can operate on E85, the corn-based fuel composed of 85 percent ethanol, the Avalanche seems to court “green” shoppers as well.

Following sales of about 400,000 units in five years, the Avalanche enjoys one of the industry’s highest customer-retention ratings. This loyalty could be due to the fact that, for drivers with such particular requirements in a vehicle, there aren’t too many other options. The Honda Ridgeline looks somewhat similar, and is competitively priced, but it doesn’t offer the Midgate functionality. And the Cadillac Escalade EXT does allow its pick-up bed to extend into the cabin, but at a far higher price.

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Built in Silao, Mexico, the new Avalanche is available in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels with two- or four-wheel drive. The base LS is well equipped with disc brakes at all corners, a 320-hp 5.3-liter V8, GM’s OnStar communications and diagnostics system, stability control, a tow hitch, CD player and cloth-upholstered front/rear bench seats. All of these features are available at the starting manufactuer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $31,615 for two-wheel drive; four-wheel drive tacks on $3,000 for all trims.

The LT models give buyers the opportunity to pile on luxury amenities. LT1 upgrades to cloth bucket seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and power mirrors. LT2 adds leather, automatic climate control and a six-disc CD changer. LT3 adds side-curtain airbags, heated seats, Bose seven-speaker premium audio, power adjustable pedals, XM satellite radio and ultrasonic rear parking assist.

The fully-optioned LTZ sports all of the LT3 features plus an Autoride suspension, a real-time damping system that also levels the vehicle’s ride height when towing or carrying heavy loads. Chevrolet expects most customers (75 percent) to opt for the mid-level LT setup with the remaining split evenly between the base LS and decked-out LTZ. A new, all-aluminum 6.0-liter V8 rated at 366 hp is available in the popular Z71 off-road package.

Our test model was an LT3, packing four-wheel drive and such options as a navigation system, 20-inch wheels, rear-seat DVD player, sunroof, locking rear differential, rearview camera, luggage rack and rain-sensing wipers for a total MSRP of $45,600. It’s not Cadillac Escalade territory, but ten grand more will put you into an Escalade EXT, if that matters to you. And the Escalade EXT is basically a dressed-up Chevy Avalanche.