2011 Chevy Avalanche Palmyra PA

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The Chevrolet Avalanche returns to 2011 with some minor updates and standard and optional equipment changes. All trims are now equipped with roof rails, Bluetooth, and rear audio controls. Three new exterior colors: Steel Green Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic and Inferno Orange Metallic replace Laser Blue Metallic and Black Graphite Metallic. Body-colored mirrors now come standard with the LS package. Four-wheel-drive models now come equipped with a standard two-speed transfer case. The Chevy Avalanche originally debuted in 2002 as a vehicle that was completely unique: a half truck, half SUV model from Chevrolet, offering consumers the best of both worlds. To transform the Avalanche from an SUV into a truck there is a midgate that expands the cargo area into the passenger cab. By removing the midgate and folding down the second-row seat, the cargo floor extends from 5 feet, 3 inches to more than 8 feet. The Avalanche is based on the Chevrolet Suburban, and offers a more passenger comfort-oriented take on pickups, while also offering superb utility.

2011 Avalanche Power

The Avalanche for 2011 gets its power from a standard 310-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 engine with an iron block, rated at 335 pounds-feet of torque (350 pounds-feet of torque with E85) with a six-speed automatic transmission.  Four-wheel-drive Avalanches feature an available two-speed transfer case with an automatic mode that can be used on all road surfaces. A single-speed transfer case is standard on LS and LT models, but the two-speed system is optional. The brake pedal feels firm and delivers controlled stops. The Avalanche feels tight, stable, and lighter than it really is. It benefits from a revised front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and a fully boxed frame that gives the suspension a more solid base from which to manage ride dynamics.

Design of the 2011 Chevy Avalanche

The Avalanche's exterior design is certainly unique enough to draw looks, somehow it's neither an SUV nor a pickup, it's both. The Avalanche carries on some traditional Chevy trademarks, such as the bold front-end styling found on Chevy's truck-based products. The Avalanche uses distinctive sails that connect the cab to the bed and emphasize the smooth roofline and exterior length. The Avalanche's bed, however, deviates from the Chevrolet Silverado by being integrated into the front cabin with an innovative Midgate system. The wall between the second row bench's back can be opened to extend the normally five foot, three inch cargo bed to eight feet, two inches.  Both two and four-wheel-drive models are available with an optional Z71 Off Road package, which comes with high-pressure, gas-charged monotube shocks, 18-inch on/off road tires, automatic-locking differential, front recovery hooks, a durable skid plate and high-capacity air cleaner, as well as a number of styling upgrades.

Chevrolet Avalanche Cabin Space

The Chevy Avalanche offers easy entry and exit with full-size pickup with four doors. Inside, there is the room you would expect in a full size SUV, with seating for up to six passengers and a unique, fold-down rear bulkhead accessing an enclosed bed. While the Avalanche exterior clearly differentiates itself from the Suburban, the cabin is resembles its sibling closely, with an upscale dashboard and plenty of available luxury conveniences. The rear seats offer adequate and decently contoured space for adults. The fit and finish is impressive. Tolerances between panels are tight. Models with bucket seats have a center console with a large, open storage bin outfitted with a removable dual cup holder. Aft of this is an equally large, but not especially deep storage compartment beneath a padded, hinged cover that doubles as a center armrest. The standard 40/20/40 front bench seat incorporates some storage in its center section. The glove box isn't as expansive as it looks when closed. Front door panels have hard-plastic fixed map pockets with molded-in can holders. Folding the Midgate but leaving the back window and bed cover in place provides 101 cubic feet of enclosed, mostly secure, contiguous storage space, about the equal of seven-plus car trunks. The bed measures 63.3 inches with the Midgate in place, 98.2 inches with the Midgate folded down.

'11 Chevy Avalanche Lineup

For 2011, the avalanche is available in three trims, LS, LT, and the top of the line LTZ. The Avalanches are available in three trim levels. Base LS models come with cloth seats, a front bench seat, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone manual climate controls and a wide array of power features. LT models add leather trim, front bucket seats, automatic climate control and remote starting in addition to more convenience features. The top of the line range is the LTZ, which includes heated and cooled front seats, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, 20-inch alloy wheels and a navigation system.

Conclusions

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. Consumers looking for the flexibility of a six passenger SUV-like cabin or providing the hauling capacity of a long-bed pickup will find that the Avalanche does the job. It is a great vehicle for occasional or weekend light duty pickup work as well as a full time family hauler. To learn more about this model, visit the official Chevrolet Avalanche website.