2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This crossover SUV/pickup truck is based on the Chevrolet Suburban and uses General Motors' innovative "midgate." Avalanche has four full-size side doors and an open cargo bed separated by the midgate. The rear seat folds and the midgate lowers to eliminate the barrier between cabin and bed, converting the 5.3-ft cargo box to 8.1 ft. The rear window detaches and stores onboard, the bed sidewalls have storage compartments, and the tailgate locks. Standard seating is for six. Front buckets are available. Leather upholstery, heated front buckets, and a power sunroof are optional. The half-ton-payload Avalanche 1500 uses a 5.3-liter V8. The heavy-duty 2500 models have an 8.1-liter V8 and a 37.5-gal fuel tank, 6.5 gal more than the 1500. Both have automatic transmission, front side airbags, and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. Avalanche offers rear-wheel drive with optional traction control, or GM's Autotrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. GM's OnStar assistance system is optional. The 2WD 1500s offer rear self-leveling and a Z66 on-road suspension package, the 4x4s a Z71 off-road suspension. The 1500s also offer "North Face" trim created with the clothing/equipment maker.

Competition

With the advent of crossover vehicles this segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.

The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility. We also like the expensive Toyota Tundra. What it lacks in brute strength, it more than makes up for with refined road manners.

News

Based on early results, Chevy says Avalanche should meet, if not exceed, its projected first-year sales of 100,000 units. The "transformer" SUV/pickup got off to a good start, finding a little over 29,000 buyers through the end of September 2001. Still, it remains to be seen whether Avalanche can keep up that pace in the radically changed market atmosphere created by the September 11th attacks.

Besides doubting its sales potential, some critics think Avalanche's styling is too bold, if not quirky. One insider predicts a minor freshening for 2004, but another well-placed source claims Chevy is working on a version with simpler lines and no plastic cladding to increase Avalanche's appeal to traditional big-truck buyers, whose tastes tend toward the traditional. We can't confirm either rumor at this point, but sales trends will inevitably determine future changes.

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Towing ability

Storage space

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

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

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/15/2002

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

1500 4-door crew cab, 2WD	$31,215	$27,313	$745

1500 4-door crew cab, 4WD	$34,215	$29,938	$745

2500 4-door crew cab, 2WD	$33,115	$28,976	$745

2500 4-door crew cab, 4WD	$36,115	$31,601	$745

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

1500

Powertrain

5.3-liter V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front split bench seat, power driver seat, cupholders, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, engine-hour meter, overhead console, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, rear defogger, intermittent wipers, cargo-box light, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, rear privacy glass, removable rear window, folding midgate, stowable cargo cover.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Front tow hooks, 7-lead trailer harness, platform hitch, full-size spare tire, P265/70R16 tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

2500

Powertrain

8.1-liter V8 engine.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Skid plates, heavy-duty suspension, LT245/75R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, LT245/75R16 on-off road tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Convenience Pkg.
1500, 2500	$653	$562
ordered w/power sunroof	$546	$470
Automatic climate control, OnStar System w/one year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), universal garage-door opener, driver-side automatic day/night mirror.

Z66 Premium On-Road Pkg.
2WD 1500	$835	$718
Traction control, limited-slip differential, high-capacity air cleaner, rubber floormats, upgraded suspension, load-leveling rear suspension, 265/70R17 tires.

North Face Edition
4WD 1500	$3,500	$3,010
Z71 Off-Road Pkg. plus special interior trim, front bucket seats, two North Face daypacks and Water Duffalo bags, engine-block heater, badging.

Z71 Off-Road Pkg.
4WD 1500	$835	$718
Limited-slip differential, upgraded suspension, skid plates, high-capacity air cleaner, rubber floormats, 265/70R17 on-off road tires.

Snow Plow Prep Pkg.
4WD 2500	$190	$163
Heavy-duty alternator.

Powertrain
Limited-slip differential
1500, 2500	$285	$245


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
1500, 2500	$1,095	$942
Includes universal garage-door opener.

Front bucket seats
1500, 2500	$615	$529
Includes center console, rear air-conditioning vents, power passenger seat, manual lumbar adjustment.

Front bucket seats w/leather upholstery
1500, 2500	$1,115	$959


Heated front bucket seats
1500, 2500	$1,415	$1,217
Includes leather upholstery, center console, rear air-conditioning vents, driver-seat memory, power passenger seat, power lumbar adjustment.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rack
1500, 2500	$195	$168


Cloth cargo cover
(credit)	$-600	$-516
Deletes stowable cargo cover.

Camper mirrors
(credit)	$-80	$-67


Running boards
1500, 2500	$395	$340


Special paint
1500, 2500	$95	$82


Engine block heater
1500, 2500	$33	$28


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
P265/70R16 white-letter tires
1500	$125	$108


P265/70R17 on-off road white-letter tires
4WD 1500	$125	$108
Requires Z71 Off-Road Pkg.

P265/70R17 white-letter tires
2WD 1500	$125	$108
Requires Z66 Premium On-Road Pkg.

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Avalanche crew cab

Wheelbase, in.	130.0

Overall Length, in.	221.7

Overall Width, in.	79.8

Overall Height, in.	73.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	5437

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	--

Standard Payload, lbs.	1363

Fuel Capacity, gals.	31.0

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	40.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.3

Rear Head Room, in.	38.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V8	ohv V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	5.3 /327	8.1 /496

Horsepower @ rpm.	285 @ 5200	340 @ 4200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	325 @ 4000	455 @ 3200

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	14/18	NA/

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Avalanche crew cab

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	2

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Mexico

Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

< 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Photos

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Chevrolet Avalanche Specs & Safety

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