GM has definitely stepped its game up for 2007. There is the Denali and the Tahoe which basically offers you the same major features of the 06' Escalade with the addition of a better suspension, a redefined look and interior - and a better ride quality. Then we have the AVALANCHE 07 which basically offers you a more elegant Avalanche, with the same features of the 06 Escalade EXT, yet is more rugged for true utility purposes and doesn't force you to worry about investing big money in it. The Tahoe, Denali and Avalanche all cost around $30,000 less than the Escalade/EXT/ESV yet, they offer you far superior quality than the 2nd-gen Escalades which (along with the Navigator) are still considered the benchmarks of Luxury SUVS.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Avalanche's offerings.
The price as tested was about
$41,000for the truck, plus
$2000 for the Navigation computer and
$1000 for Moonroof. A very decent price for financeers who plan to keep it for 5 years or so.
DESIGN
The Avalanche's redesign is extravagant.
Glancing at it from the outside, you'll find that the new sidepanels, bumper and grill look fantastic because they are no longer made like the 1st Avalanche which had plastic side panels and a very plasticine look overall.
The 07 Avalanche looks far more like the luxury model Escalade EXT because its entire body is painted in high gloss - with the exception of the Midgate C-bars.
GM is also offering you some FABULOUS colors for the 07 Avalanche. There is Sunburst Orange, Gold Mist, Victory Red, Sport red, Dark Blue Metallic to name a few. I would say that my favorite color if I choose to go with this truck is the BERMUDA BLUE METALLIC which is a chameleon color that changes intensity from different viewing angles - available for $450 more.
The lighting fixtures look great too. A single piece glass cover - shared with the 07'Tahoe. If you choose to replace factory lights with hyperwhites or HID blue, you'll have an expensive looking ride. Even the rear lighting benefits from the redesign with more stylish tail light covers.
The trademark GM
Midgate section of the Avalanche is unchanged from the 1st generation Avalanche. The midgate panel allows you to put bicycles, jet skis or even yourself with a sleeping bag in it. There is a 60/40 split bench comprising the second row which folds
down so you have full access to the cargo bed - which is 8 feet long and allows for objects that are 50 inches wide. Of course, the cover of the bed is still removable so if you need maximum height for something so large as an engine block or large buckets, you've got it !
I do wish GM had included a power window feature for the midgate panel similar to the one they placed in the Hummer H2 SUT - or that GM tried something new to give the cargo box more offering. I would have liked to see a direct 12 volt access to the battery in the bed for stereo equiptment and trailer options.
INTERIOR
Inside the new Avalanche, you'll find a marvelous new interior courtesy of Drexel Meyer - designers of Mercedes Benz and Maybach. The dashboard and center console have a redefined look that gives this $40,000 truck a feel like a Mercedes Benz R-class. The radio controls and AC controls look fabulous compared to the older GM trucks and SUV's since, now, it is outlined with hard plastic, brushed aluminum and wood simulating inserts.
The redesigned Navigation system included is a 6.5 inch LCD touchscreen with GM's updated user interface.
There have been a nuber of nice changes to the user interface in the new GM touchscreen Navi' that will be appreciated by users who found the previous models lackluster and difficult to use.
There are seperate slots for the Navigation CD and regular CD's, so for people dissapointed by the first Avalanche's inability to play CD's and use navi simultaneously, there is nothing to worry about here.
A moreso interesting feature is that the Avalanche can hold 6 CD-R's that have been encoded with MP3's. That means that you can use your home PC to master your entire music collection onto a handful of CD's and keep them in your truck for easy play. With that feature in mind, you dont even need an Ipod for long drives.
All of the GM radios also feature line-in jacks for those of us with IPODs and other MP3 players.
SEATING
The seats are very comfortable leather/cloth depending upon your choice. They include heated seats and seatbacks activated from the center console.
The only downside however is that seating space and leg space aren't as generous as the new looks. Don't consider the Avalanche, unless you only need seating for 4 because the 2nd row can get cramped with more than 2 people when either front row seat is reclined. This truck unlike the RAM's, F-150's and the likes are not for crews, but, its perfect if your running to Home Depot for a few pieces of equipment, slabs of wood or have a small family.
DRIVE QUALITY
The ride quality is enjoyable since the new Avalanche has a stiffer frame and a softer front suspension that seems to glide over minor bumps in the road. More brutal pavement will result in muffled thuds. GM has also included an enhanced Stabilitrack system standard to keep the vehicle in control of skids and planted firmly even in icy conditions. I noticed the ability to turn tight even on corners while doing 25 without the truck giving you the rollover feeling.
Acceleration is excellent. The new GM 5.3 Liter V8 can be had either in the
310 HP or
320 HP variants - the cheapest of which belonging to the
2WD Avalanche LS. You'll definately get to 60mph in less than 10 seconds so passing power is more than adequate on the Highway, but, due to the Avalanche's size and rear-view characteristics, you will want to be
extremely cautious when changing lanes.
You are likely to enjoy the 07 Avalanche’s handling far more than you would many other competitor vehicles in this price range/style such as the
Honda Ridgeline.
When you drove the original Avalanche, it felt like you were driving a truck. Chevy has retooled the driving characteristics to make this new model feel like your driving a full-sized sedan.
I noticed very little "up&down" see-saw motion when riding over bumps that I experienced in the original model.
The vehicle is actually a blast to drive even though it may become a bit mundane during longer drives. The ride is smooth and may make you forget your driving a large SUV rather than a car. Avalanche is no sports car however. You need to keep in mind that this truck is very long when you are turning corners. Though it is not extremely tall, at around 75 inches, the Avalanche is a frightening piece of machinery to people in smaller vehicles or pedestrians. Avalanche will make wide turns, and still handle like a truck. Braking is responsive but since Avalanche is a truck, it will slow down as such. Speeding is never recommended in an SUT.
I definately feel that the ride here is significantly better than the original Avalanche.
If you have owned a previous Avalanche, you'll be happy that GM has kept all of the features that made the original spectacular.
You'll still get all of the original Avalanche's features; the oil life indicator, the driver's information center that tells you fuel economy, tire pressure and other convienient need to know details.
FUEL !?!
The Avalanche, comes ready to accept Ethanol E85 fuel which is a blend of 15% gas/85% Ethanol.
E85 vehicles are specially designed to handle the unique chemical properties of Ethanol fuel unlike older vehicles which will suffer pipeline corrosion if more than 20% Ethanol is added to the fuel mixture.
I would like to see ALL future cars coming ready to take Ethanol because I hate the US's dependence on Middle Eastern oil and I'd prefer a clean burning fuel that doesn't poison the environment. Don't rush out and buy this truck for its E85 capability just yet though, because so far, there are no E85 stations in most American areas yet. You can bet you'll be seeing them alot within 2 years. The fuel Economy due to GM's VVT and active fuel management is far superior to the older full size GM made SUV's. The 07'Avalanche will get you about 15 MPG city and 19 MPG Highway. Fuel economy was never a big deal until gas prices skyrocketed almost 3 years ago but hopefully, E85 will help the Avalanche save you some gas money in the future.
Unfortunately, as you may know, as of July 2006, E85 is not available nationwide for testing so I cannot compare it to gasoline. Most likely your main concern is the price of E85, which remains to be seen. According to Chevy.com, E85 has a higher octane rating generally than gasoline so most likely it will offer improved performance and very little “knock” during combustion.
DISSAPOINTMENTS
My biggest disappointment with the Avalanche, comes from the steering wheel. GM for some strange reason neglected to put a power telescoping steering wheel in the truck when they altered the driver's position. Even worse, the steering wheel has been made considerably
smaller as if it was intended for a mid sized sedan.
There is also a huge difference between the driver seating position in the old Avalanche and the 07'. In the 07', the roof is lower and the dashboard is further from you. If you're tall, you won't be comfortable with the low roof so you will recline the seat. Unfortunately the steering wheel can't adjust closer to you and you'll have to compromise your comfort by outreaching your arms to reach the wheel. This same problem exists in all of GM's 2007 GMT-900 trucks.
This is such a disappointment to me that the 07 Avalanche lost serious comfort points for it.
Though the wheel's lack of adjustability won't be a big deal for drivers who are short and need to forward the seat closer to the front of the car, the rest of us tall people might not be so happy.
VS. THE CADILLAC EXT
The 2007 Avalanche as I have mentioned has been brought
beyond the quality of the first generation Cadillac EXT. Everything about the new Avalanche from comfort to luxury features have been fully upgraded and tapered.
In both trucks it is very easy to see the influence of the design company, Drexel Meyer.
Unlike the similar 2007 Cadillac EXT, which you'll pay around $70,000 for, the new Avalanche is loaded with luxury features and beautiful paneling that will not break the bank. Its excellent for budget conscious trend-setters.
The 2007 EXT has a little more "Pizzaz" but its still the same exact truck.
The only major differences are the Cadillac name badge, an 8" navigation monitor,a slightly more elegant lighting and paint job, freon cooled seats and a more powerful engine.
But, the Avalanche actually tows more.
The EXT is not Ethanol Flex fuel ready so, unlike Avalanche, it isn't going to save you a dime in fuel costs.
Overall, the AVALANCHE for 2007 is a very attractive truck if you can get by the steering wheel annoyance or the space issues.
I am certain its going to win truck of the year awards because it has spectacular looks and innovative, exclusive features for a reasonable price.
All of this truck offered to you by GM is going to cost you less than $45,000 and will steadily become more affordable as the style depreciates. I'd have to say that the Avalanche 07' is the superior offer if you're looking to buy a Sport Utility Truck.
If you already have a 1st generation Avalanche and are happy with it, you will probably be wowed and dumbfounded by the 2007 version.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE !!!
My Reviews of GMT-900 trucks:
CHEVEROLET TAHOE:
http://www.epinions.com/content_251782336132
ESCALADE:
http://www.epinions.com/content_241990143620
ESCALADE EXT:
http://www.epinions.com/content_242008362628
YUKON.DENALI
http://www.epinions.com/content_242261134980
