Large pickup truck; Built in Mexico
  • crew cab
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $12,500 – $42,000*


2007 Chevrolet Avalanche


2007 Chevrolet Avalanche


2007 Chevrolet Avalanche

Pros:
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Cargo room
  • Control layout
  • Ride
  • Seat comfort
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Steering/handling

If you’re shopping for a pickup truck primarily for passenger use, may as well check out this Recommended (2007-08) pick. No other pickup offers Avalanche’s blend of useful passenger accommodations, expansive cargo room, big-truck muscle, and friendly road manners.

Overview

Redesigned for 2007, Chevrolet’s reconfigurable pickup truck gained more power and features. Avalanche was essentially a crew-cab version of Chevrolet’s big Suburban sport-utility vehicle, but with a folding midgate separating the cab from the cargo bed. Lowering the midgate extended the bed from 5.3 feet to 8.2 feet. With the Avalanche, Chevrolet competed against such conventional full-size pickups as the Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and Toyota Tundra. Ford’s Explorer Sport Trac is set up on a similar principle, but smaller in size.

Chevrolet’s half-ton Avalanche 1500 model returned for 2007, but the three-quarter-ton 2500 was discontinued. Seating up to six, Avalanches came in LS, LT, and LTZ trim levels. A 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V8 replaced the 2002-06 generation’s 295-hp, 5.3 V8. A 310-horsepower version of the 5.3-liter V8 that could run on ethanol-blended fuel (E85) was a no-cost option for 2WD models, and standard on 4WD editions. Optional on LT and LTZ was a 366-horsepower, 6.0-liter V8. All engines had GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. A four-speed automatic was the sole transmission.

Avalanches were available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, which could be left engaged on dry pavement and included low-range gearing. Antilock braking and traction/antiskid control with rollover sensors were standard. GM’s Autoride load-leveling suspension was standard on LTZs, optional for LTs. Avalanche LTs also were available with Chevrolet’s Z71 Off-Road Suspension Package. Among newly available features were curtain side airbags that covered both seating rows, and included rollover deployment. Also newly available were rear obstacle detection and a rearview camera. Options included a navigation system and DVD backseat entertainment.

Yearly Updates

2008 Avalanche
Curtain airbags became standard on all Avalanche models for 2008.
2009 Avalanche
Avalanche got a 6-speed automatic transmission and a heavy-duty trailering package. Real-time traffic information was now available on models with the navigation system.
2010 Avalanche
The 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche lost its available 6.0-liter V8 engine, but was largely unchanged otherwise.
2011 Avalanche
The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche is largely unchanged.
2012 Avalanche
The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche received only minor equipment revisions.
2013 Avalanche
Model-year 2013 was Avalanche’s last. All models received a “Black Diamond” designation with unique trim and badging. Entry-level LS and mid-line LT versions got more standard equipment, too.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

Avalanche buyers have had two powertrain choices, both of which use a four-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8 produces 310 or 320 horsepower, versus 366 hp for the 6.0-liter V8 engine, which was standard on 4WD models. Avalanches may have either rear-drive or four-wheel drive, and some 5.3-liter engines can run on either E85 fuel or regular gasoline. In 2010, Avalanche lost its available 6.0-liter V8 engine.

ohv V81
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.3/325
Engine HP 310-320
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 335-340
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

14/19

ohv V81
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 6.0/364
Engine HP 366
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 380
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

12/17

1. EPA Note: Figures shown are for 2008 models with 4WD. The Environmental Protection Agency changed its procedure for 2008 to yield more realistic estimates. Therefore, estimated mileage is lower than for prior years.

Road Test

Acceleration with the 5.3-liter V8 is good around town, but Avalanche has only adequate highway passing power. No difference is noticeable between 2WD and 4WD models. The transmission shifts smoothly and kicks down quickly. Cylinder deactivation is not noticeable while driving. Maximum towing capacity is 8200 pounds.

Fuel economy could be worse, but isn’t an attraction. Test 2WD Avalanche averaged 16.7 mpg in mostly highway driving. A 4WD model averaged 15.2 mpg with more city driving. All engines use regular-grade gasoline. The 5.3-liter V8 can run on E85 (an ethanol/gasoline blend).

Surprisingly supple, the Avalanche rides impressively well for a large pickup. Only mild bounding occurs over large bumps, attributable to the basic truck design.

Steering feels fine, though effort is rather high during low-speed maneuvers and while parking. Expect moderate body lean in turns. Brakes are responsive, with a short and firm pedal stroke. Because Avalanche is a long truck with a sizable turning radius, parking in tight spots is a challenge.

Highway-speed wind rush and tire rumble are noticeable, but bump noises are well-suppressed. Engine whine intrudes only during rapid acceleration.

Gauges are large and easy-to-read. Radio and climate controls are mounted low, but no trouble to reach. GM’s optional navigation system absorbs but does not complicate audio functions. The wiper switch is inconveniently incorporated into the turn-signal stalk. Avalanche cabins are trimmed mostly with hard plastic, yet look upscale because many surfaces are textured.

Front occupants get generous room on supportive, comfortable bucket seats–provided a bench isn’t installed. Available power-adjustable pedals would be a boon to shorter drivers. Running boards aid exiting for shorter folks, though they tend to be a stretch-over hindrance to taller ones. Rear-corner views are blocked by huge roof pillars, while the tall tail restricts vision directly aft. Rear obstacle detection and the rearview camera are helpful, but the camera distorts distances, compromising its usefulness. Note that folding the rear seats to extend the cargo bed requires pushing front seats forward several inches, limiting legroom for taller occupants.

Adults in the backseat enjoy plenty of headroom and adequate leg space. Three can fit across with some squeezing. The center position has limited foot space but a nearly flat floor. Foot clearance also is tight under the driver’s seat. Comfortable enough, the rear seat has a fold-down center armrest with cupholders. Getting in and out is a stretch due to the high floor.

Avalanche’s versatile cargo bed has locking storage compartments outside, plus washable plastic walls and a rubber floormat. The hard tonneau and locking tailgate make it essentially a deep, 40-cubic-foot trunk. Removing the three-piece hard tonneau requires several leaps into the high floor bed-a job best left to the nimble. Lowering the midgate also is a several-step process. The bed hosts handy fold-out tie-down hooks. With the tailgate lowered, the optional rearview camera focuses on the trailer hitch, easing hook-up. Interior storage space is ample.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2008 Avalanche 4WD LT

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 3
30%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Rear - 7
70%
Cargo Room - 7
70%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 62

Specifications

crew cab
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
130.0 221.3 79.1 76.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
1355 31.5 6.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
41.1 40.0 41.3 39.1
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2007 Avalanche crew cab

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Coolant leak
Description: A drive belt pulley may rub a hole in the radiator vent hose resulting in a coolant leak and possible overheating. (2007)
Oil leak
Description: An oil leak at the oil pressure sensor may cause the low oil light to come on and oil level to become low. (2006-07)
Oil pump
Description: Sticking oil-pressure relief valve may cause low or no oil pressure. (2013)
Audio system
Description: When using a portable music player (e.g. iPod) there may be noise in the car’s speakers whenever the vehicle’s power adapter is used and a ground loop isolator (from Radio Shack) is required between the device and the power outlet to prevent the noise. (2007-08)
Steering problems
Description: A clunk in the steering column that is both felt and heard on rough roads or off-road can be eliminated with an improved upper-intermediate shaft. (2002-06)
Windows
Description: Power windows may be misaligned and move slowly or not at all. (2008-13)
Wipers
Description: The one-piece wiper blades may streak when driving at slow speeds because they do not press firmly enough and should be traditional, bridge style blades. (2007-08)
Battery
Description: The battery may go dead while the car is parked due to the fuel pump running with the key off due to a faulty relay. (2007)
Cupholders
Description: The console cup holders allow drinks to fall out when cornering unless the original mats were replaced with liners having ears that retain the drink. (2007)
Electrical problem
Description: Numerous electrical problems (door locks, power windows, speakers, courtesy lights etc.) may quit working because a wiring harness gets damaged by the seat belt. (2007)
None
Description: The backup (rear vision) camera quits working due to an electrical connector coming loose. (2007)
Fueling problems
Description: The fuel line may rub against the floor pan causing a buzzing or rattling sound. (2008-10)

Recall History

2007 Avalanche
Description: Certification/tire label may have incomplete tire/rim designation, and may be missing the tire-load rating.
2007-09 Avalanche equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system
Description: A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge.
2007-14 Avalanche with Marathon aftermarket seatcovers
Description: Seatcover might interfere with full deployment of side airbag.
2009
Description: The fuel system control modules may have a faulty seal, possibly allowing water to seep into the module. This could cause a short, illumination of the service engine soon lamp, setting of diagnostic trouble codes, or the engine may be hard to start. Dealers will install a new fuel system control module free of charge.
2011 Avalanche
Description: The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning. Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge.
2011-12 Avalanche
Description: Turning key in ignition switch may be difficult. If stuck in Start position, key may suddenly snap back to Accessory position and cause loss of engine, steering and braking power, as well as airbag deployment.
2013 Avalanche
Description: Faulty Park lock cable and steering column lock may result in vehicle shifting out of Park when the ignition key is removed or in Off position. The vehicle may shift out of Park without application of brake pedal. Either scenarios could result in the vehicle rolling.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

Share this: