One-Year Test Update: 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
Riddle me this, Batman: Name a truck that drives as smooth as a Cadillac, has all-weather cargo-carrying capability like an SUV, yet transforms into a pickup in under a minute? If you answered Chevrolet's Avalanche, give yourself a pat on the back, Boy Wonder. We've put over 7K on the clock, and our Z66 has gained admirers staff wide. Senior Road Test Editor Chris Walton actually had an "Avalanche commercial" experience when he used it to cart 1000 pounds of stone home. "I handed the yard rep my requisition, and he looked at the truck and said, "I don't think it's all gonna fit in there." So I said, "Really? Watch this..!" and proceeded to stow the Midgate. The guy scratched his head after he loaded a pallet-plus worth of rock in the back. I was truck proud." Our senior photog, John Kiewicz, called upon the Avalanche as a shooting platform for the "Mario Drives" story in our Sept. 2002 issue-place a ladder on its rigid composite cargo cover, and it's easy to get a bird's-eye view. The oil life lamp told us it was time for a fluid change at 6300 miles. A trip to the local dealer and $32.86 later, we were back on the road. Not everyone's enamored of its looks, but the Avalanche does work.
From the Logbox
"The Avalanche is an SUV that hauls like a truck and drives like a large luxury sedan. It's an instant winner in my book."- Scott Mead |
Base Price: $30,465
Price as tested: $35,171
vehicle Layout: Front engine, RWD, 4-door, 5-pass
Engine: 5.3L V-8, OHV, 2 valves/cyl
Hp @ rpm: 285 @ 5200
Torque @ rpm: 325 @ 4000
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
0-60 mph, sec: 8.2
EPA mpg: 14 city/18 hwy
Total mileage: 7484
Average test mpg: 14.7
Problem areas: None
Non-warr cost: $32.68
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