2011 Chevrolet Avalanche Review

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche Review

The Chevrolet Avalanche carries into 2011 essentially unchanged. Lower the Avalanche's rear window, flip some latches and the rear wall of the cockpit folds down, extending the otherwise short pickup bed to near full-size dimensions--while also removing three seating positions from the equation.

In the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche's case, it's the combination of both pickup and SUV attributes that proves to be so appealing. The Avalanche is based on GM's full-size truck architecture and comes in a four-door crew-cab body style. Unlike a truck, however, the Avalanche's cab and bed aren't separate; instead, the Avalanche features an SUV's one-piece body.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche is a full-size crew-cab pickup with a removable rear window and exclusive midgate. The LS features a composite cargo bed, a removable three-piece cargo cover, side assist steps, a roof rack and deep-tinted rear privacy glass. Inside you'll find full power accessories, dual-zone manual air-conditioning, front bucket seats with a power driver seat, Bluetooth, OnStar and a single-CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB port, satellite radio and rear-seat audio controls.

Depending on the trim level, other stand-alone or packaged options include 20-inch chromed wheels, power running boards, an integrated trailer-brake controller, a sunroof, a front bench seat and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche is available with either two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). A properly equipped 2WD Avalanche can tow up to 8,100 pounds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined for both 2WD and 4WD models.

Standard safety features on the Chevrolet Avalanche include antilock disc brakes, stability control, front side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, plus GM's OnStar emergency communications system.

Interior Design and Special Features
Climb up into the Avalanche and you'll find a passenger cabin that can seat up to six passengers with the available 40/20/40-split front bench seat or five with the standard front buckets. When it comes time to haul stuff instead of people, the Avalanche's 5-foot-3-inch cargo bed expands to just over 8 feet with the midgate folded down. The rear tailgate and bed cover also lock to keep valuable cargo secure.

The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche is largely unchanged. This reconfigurable pickup truck is essentially a crew-cab version of the Chevrolet Suburban SUV with a folding "midgate" separating the cab from the cargo bed. Lowering the midgate extends the bed to 8.2 feet from 5.3 feet. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. GM's Autoride load-leveling suspension is standard on LTZ and not available otherwise. Heated and cooled front seats are LTZ-exclusive standard features.

Large Pickup Trucks are traditionally the vehicles of choice for heavy-duty hauling and towing. For personal use, consider light-duty half-ton models. New or significantly redesigned models in the class include the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD. The Dodge Ram trucks become just Ram trucks for 2011.