Acceleration

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
5	5	4.6

Much like Suburban, since Avalanche has similar weight and the same smooth, strong V8 with silky, responsive automatic transmission and useful Tow/Haul mode. Towing capacity is 8300 lb on 1500 model, 12,000 on 2500.

Fuel Economy

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
2	2	2.1

Test 4WD Avalanche 1500s averaged just 11.4-12.9 mpg. The 2500 won't do any better. Both engines use regular fuel.

Ride Quality

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
6	6	3.5

Comfortable even with the firm Z71 package. Long wheelbase helps Avalanche ignore most small bumps, and it's less jarring than most any true pickup truck over bigger ruts and crests. Still, modest "float" can occur over big humps.

Steering/Handling/Braking

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
3	3	3.1

Like Suburban, a pleasant highway cruiser and agile for its size and weight despite sloppy, too-numb steering. Braking strong and stable, but spongy pedal action on test models didn't inspire confidence.

Quietness

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
6	6	4.3

Engine roars at full throttle, but quite-refined overall. Removing rear window or dropping midgate increases noise levels, but not unduly so.

Controls

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Identical to Suburban's and mostly very good. Ditto driving position. Inherited flaws include tight access to power-seat controls on side of front seat bases, and GM's typical low-budget plastic in too many places. High tail trim hides any close-by object dead astern. Over-the-shoulder vision a bit obscured but not bad.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
9	9	8.5

Plenty of adult-size space, but also a fairly high step-in. Bench seat nothing special, but optional buckets are comfortably huggy. Even with midgate fully down, there's a tolerably mild inside breeze at highway speeds, and a light rain didn't soak the cabin.

Room/Comfort (rear)

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
8	8	4.4

Overall space adequate for three grownups, extravagant for two. Leg room better than any crew-cab pickup's, if not quite Suburban-ample. Step-in typical full-size 4WD-SUV lofty.

Cargo Room

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
8	8	5

Hauls what most big pickups can, though bed is narrower and back seat and midgate must be folded for bulky or long loads like 4x8 plywood sheets. Midgate/window removal is straightforward and quick. Hose-out cargo box has tough composite-plastic liner, thick nonslip rubber mat, twin lamps that also light the locking side storage boxes, eight tiedowns, water drains, and gravel trap. A soft bed cover is a $600 credit option, but is flimsier and more difficult to use than the standard rigid cover.

Value within Class

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
6	6	6.7

Beware seriously bad weather or really messy loads with the midgate fully open. That aside, Avalanche marries big-SUV passenger room and comfort with big-pickup utility in an imaginative, surprisingly solid package.

Total Score

1500 2WD	1500 4WD	Class Average
60	60	48.9

Scores for all Large Pickup Trucks

Low Score		35
Average Score		48
High Score		61