The Chevy Avalanche successfully combines the hauling capacity of a short-bed pickup with the comfort and capability of a five-passenger SUV.
It switches between these roles using its ingenious Midgate, a removable rear bulkhead between the passenger compartment and the pickup bed. Along with a hard, tonneau-like bed cover, the Midgate allows the Avalanche to be configured as a Tahoe-sized sport utility with a five-foot pickup bed and comfortable, five-passenger seating. But fold down the rear seats and open the Midgate, and it's a pickup with an enclosed eight-foot bed, capable of securing valuable gear from thieves or shielding drywall from weather. Remove the rear glass and the tonneau panels and it's capable of hauling an ATV. Unlike a pickup, however, there is no full-height barrier between long loads like that and the front seatbacks.
Versatility is what makes the Avalanche so desirable. It offers an 8,000-pound towing capacity, making it an excellent choice for pulling an enclosed car trailer or a fairly big boat. It's as long as a Chevy Suburban and can haul a lot of stuff, with payloads over 1,300 pounds and a bed designed for abuse.
The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 offers the flexibility of either carrying up to six passengers or providing the hauling capacity of a long-bed pickup.
Just as the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Avalance also available in LS, LT, and LTZ trims the Chevy Avalanche comes in one configuration, a half-ton, full-size pickup with four doors, room for up to six passengers and outfitted with a unique, fold-down rear bulkhead accessing an enclosed bed. All Avalanche models come with a standard 320-hp 5.3-liter V8 FlexFuel engine with Active Fuel Management coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Safety features that come standard on all models include front seat and side curtain airbags; LATCH rear-seat child safety seat anchors, Stabilitrak with Proactive Roll Avoidance and the OnStar crash-notification system.
For 2011, the Chevrolet Avalanche carries over with some standard and optional equipment changes. All trims are now equipped with roof rails, Bluetooth, and rear audio controls.
Market Price : $43,529
Trim Type : LTZ 4 x 4
- Exterior :
- Length: 221.3", Body width: 79.1", Body height: 76.6", Wheelbase: 130.0", Ground clearance: 9.1", Curb: 5,969 lbs., Gross weight: 7,200 lbs.
- Interior :
- Front head room: 41", Rear head room: 40", Front shoulder room: 65", Rear shoulder room: 65", Front hip room: 60", Rear hip room: 62", Front leg room: 41.3", Rear leg room: 39.1", Standard seating: 5.
- Performance :
- Base engine size: 5.3 liters, Base engine type: V-8, Horsepower: 320 hp, Horsepower rpm: 5,400, Torque: 335 lb-ft., Torque rpm: 4,000, Payload: 1,263 lbs., Maximum towing capacity: 5,000 lbs., Drive type: four-wheel, Turning radius: 21.5"
- MPG :
- Fuel tank capacity: 31.0 gal., EPA mileage estimates : 15 City / 21 Hwy.
- Mechanical :
- Engine: 5.3L V-8, Engine - valvetrain: OHV, Brakes: 4-wheel Disc, Anti-lock braking system (ABS): 4-wheel, Brake assist: Std, Drive type: Four-wheel, 4WD shift: Electronic, Engine block heater: Opt, Exhaust: Stainless steel, Steering: Rack and pinion, Suspension tuning: Touring, Ride control: Std, Automatic level control: Rear, Front suspension type: short and long arm, Front anti-roll bar: Std, Front shocks: premium, Front springs: Coil, Rear suspension type: multi-link, Rear anti-roll bar: Std, Rear shocks: Air, Rear springs: Coil, Electronic stability system: Std, Sequential shift control: Std, Transmission: 6-spd auto w/OD, Axle ratio: 3.08, Locking/limited slip differential: Std, Remote vehicle starting system: Std, Traction control: ABS and driveline.
