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2009 Chevrolet Avalanche Review
Jack of all trades.
2009 Avalanche Review Summary & Specifications
The flexibility of the 2009 Chevy Avalanche is matched only by its brethren Cadillac Escalade EXT, which is more powerful and expensive but does not offer four-wheel drive. As a multi-purpose tool the Avalanche has compromises because no vehicle does everything well: It is too long for serious off-road duty, the bed is too marginal for severe pickup use (are you going to let that bobcat or forklift driver unload it?), too luxurious for work truck use, too heavy and thirsty for a second car, and tows well but not like a Suburban 2500 or Silverado 2500. 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.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent G.R. Whale reported from Los Angeles, with Tom Lankard in Sacramento, California.
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| Vehicle Category | Pickups |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Chevrolet Avalanche LS 2WD ($35,460), 4WD ($38,510); LT1 2WD ($36,330), 4WD ($39,380); LT2 2WD ($38,455), 4WD ($41,505); LTZ 2WD ($43,650), 4WD ($46,700) |
| Engines (standard) | 5.3-liter ohv 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 310-hp 5.3-liter ohv V8; 366-hp 6.0-liter ohv V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | twin dual-stage frontal airbags; side-curtain airbags; LATCH child safety seat anchors; ABS; StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation; all-speed traction control; tire pressure monitor; OnStar crash notification |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | rear park assist; rearview camera |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Silao, Guanajato, Mexico |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-222-1020 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.chevrolet.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 35460 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Chevy Avalanche LT2 4WD ($41,505) |
| Standard Equipment | leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control; cruise control; AM/FM/6CD/MP3 six-speaker stereo with secondary rear seat controls and headphone jacks; XM satellite radio; Bluetooth; six-way power front-row bucket seats; 60/40-split second-row bench seat; leather-wrapped, tilt steering wheel with cruise and redundant audio controls; adjustable pedals; power windows, door and tailgate locks and foldable, heated, body-color outside mirrors; rear park assist; first and second row-seat floormats, cargo box mat; universal gate opener; switchable/auto-on daytime running lights; driver information center; fog lamps; 17-inch aluminum wheels; trailer package with 7-wire harness and two-inch receiver; OnStar 8.0 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Sun/Entertainment/Destination package ($4,790) includes navigation system, rearview camera, moonroof, rear-seat entertainment system; Bose premium speaker system ($500); polished aluminum 20-inch wheels ($1,795); locking rear differential ($295); roof rack side rails ($195); roof rack cross bars ($90) |
| Destination Charge | 950 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | four-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 50120 |
| Horse Power | 310 @ 5200 |
| Torque | 335 @ 4400 |
| Fuel Economy | 14/20 |
| Wheelbase | 130.0 |
| Length/Width/Height | 221.3/79.1/76.6 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 43.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 41.1/64.4/41.3 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 40.0/61.8/39.1 |
| Trunk Volume | 101 |
| Payload | 1350 |
| Towing Capacity | 7900 |
| Front Suspension | independent, upper and lower control arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | live axle, upper and lower trailing links, track link, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 9.1 |
| Curb Weight | 5645 |
| Stock Tires | P275/55R20 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity | 31.5 |
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