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2007 Chevrolet Avalanche Review

With the innovation part addressed, Chevy works on the execution

AS
by Autobytel Staff
February 6, 2007
8 min. Reading Time
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There’s definitely a strong contingent of people out there who attack everything in life with a “what if…?” attitude – what if I decide to buy a house in six months? What if we have twins? Often, the end result means making choices that cover all your bases, and in terms of vehicles, that takes shape in the form of a Chevrolet Avalanche. Essentially a pickup truck and full-size SUV bundled into one, this rig will serve dutifully regardless of what life throws your way by comfortably carrying and entertaining five passengers, transforming from large to extra large covered or uncovered cargo hauler, impressing the boss during trips to the links, and for 2007, doing so with added style and quality.

What We Drove

Pictured on these pages is a Sunburst Orange II Metallic 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche that we drove when the vehicle was first released. For this subsequent review, we drove a Graystone Metallic Avalanche, though we didn’t have time to photograph that truck. So, what’s discussed within this article, though not pictured, is a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LT 2WD with an as-tested price of $40,589. That includes a base price of $35,080, a $900 destination charge, a $2,250 navigation system, a $495 Bose audio system, a $1,295 DVD entertainment system, $120 for power-adjustable pedals, a $250 rear camera, and $199 for XM satellite radio. Under the hood was a 5.3-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

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Performance

Despite weighing nearly 6,000 pounds, the Avalanche launches nicely from a stop, though don’t confuse that with sprightly performance. The truck isn’t fast, but power builds quickly and the throaty V8 sounds richer as the revs climb. Mid-range can be a little tricky, with a roll of the throttle at moderate speeds resulting in a noticeable delay before the ponies start stirring or the transmission drops a gear or two; put the hammer down and the response is more immediate. As a package, the powertrain turns the Avalanche into a nice cruiser, which is probably why we unintentionally went pretty easy on the go pedal. Even so, we averaged only 14 mpg, dipping into the 13s when limited to city driving.

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Handling

As one might expect, handling is not the Avalanche’s primary selling point. However, it sure rides comfortably as it absorbs bumps and cruises over potholes with a negligible effect on the passengers. The rack-and-pinion steering lacks road feel, and the floaty ride becomes even more pronounced as the body rolls in even slow-speed corners. So, it’s a truck and not sport truck – big whoop. Drivers who understand that few pickups are designed to race through canyons will enjoy the compliant suspension, and commuters traveling over expansion joints like those on California freeways will undoubtedly applaud the Avalanche’s ability to squash that bucking bronco sensation. Nothing makes you look more stupid than bouncing down the highway in your new $40,000 truck.

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Visibility

Thanks to an optional rearview camera mounted next to the tailgate handle, seeing what’s behind the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche can be made quite easy. That’s good for pedestrians, pets, and anything else you don’t want crushed by nearly three tons. Visibility also benefits from the large side mirrors and generous use of side glass. Serving to limit the outward view, however, are the triangular rear pillars and the high sides of the bed, the latter exacerbated by the addition of a tonneau cover. The ill effects of those rear pillars, by the way, are only slightly negated by their center cutouts.

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Fun to Drive

If a big, heavy object that’s fairly quick in a straight line is your idea of fun, than yes, the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche could be considered fun to drive. Otherwise, not so much. Aside from its power and competency as a truck, the Avalanche offers poor handling, a ponderous ride, and a genuine thirst for fuel. Not one of those criteria fall under the definition of fun in any dictionary we’ve ever referenced.

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Front Comfort

Whatever the Avalanche lacks in the fun to drive category it makes up for in terms of comfort. Front buckets are spacious and soft, with a wide padded center armrest offered for additional support. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has a useful range of tilt adjustments, while optional adjustable foot pedals ensure a customized driving position. Head, leg, and shoulder room should prove generous enough for even the largest of adults, though the rubberized (not padded) door sills and armrests will become tiresome after extended use. Given its height, shorter drivers will appreciate the assistance of running boards when trying to get into the truck.

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Rear Comfort

Not surprisingly, stepping up and into the Chevy Avalanche’s rear seat is made easier with the help of side running boards, just as the case is with the front seats. Once inside the truck, rear passengers are granted plenty of overall room, though taller riders may find their knees rubbing against the slightly padded front seatbacks. Armrests and door sills are properly positioned to be useful, however the small headrests rise only a few inches, making them worthless for most rear seat passengers. A fold-down center armrest is a bonus with two rear occupants, but when raised serves as an uncomfortable backrest for a passenger relegated to the center position.

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Interior Noise

Decked out in some all-season 17-inch tires, the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche is much quieter than it would be were it rolling on some meaty all-terrain rubber. We were pleasantly surprised to find that tire noise was minimal, and what there was had been largely prevented from reaching the cabin. The same went for wind and engine noise, though some of our editors wouldn’t have minded a bit more intrusion of the V8 rumble variety. With outside ruckus prevented from reaching the interior, our ears were able (or forced?) to focus on a few plastic creaks and rattles, most notably from the B-pillar just behind the driver’s head.

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Loading Cargo

Transforming the Avalanche from a four-passenger vehicle with a covered cargo box to a two-passenger pickup with a full-size box requires no more than a couple of minutes. The process is as easy as removing the tonneau cover sections (there are three), removing the rear glass, folding the rear seat sections, folding the midgate, and voila, you’ve just bought yourself a couple extra feet of truck bed. Sort of. Keep in mind that you’ll be sacrificing the rear bench seat and subjecting the interior to damage from any cargo you’ll be hauling, not to mention that with the cab wall lowered/removed, you’ll essentially be driving with a huge window open. Just something to think about before buying that pine Christmas tree in December.

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Build Quality

Many of the GM products we’ve evaluated recently have demonstrated a marked improvement in quality, with the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche being a possible exception. Though admittedly better than previous efforts, our tester fell short with its loose driver’s side kick panels, misaligned dash panels, and inconsistent coloring on certain plastic pieces. An exterior inspection unveiled inconsistent gaps around the hood and tailgate, and a front fascia that wasn’t quite flush with the front fenders. On a more positive note, the remaining exterior gaps were tighter than we’ve seen in the past, and aside from the loose pieces, the interior appeared to be solidly constructed, if not with the utmost attention to detail.

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