2010 Chevy Avalanche - Flexibility at its Best

The 2010 Chevy Avalanche is a unique vehicle in that its flexibility is rarely matched and it is a versatile combination of an SUV and a pickup truck. The Avalanche first debuted in 2002, and started the SUV/Pickup combo trend. The downsides to the Avalanche however is it is not suitable for specific purposes: it is too long for serious off-road duty, the bed is too marginal for severe pickup use, it is too luxurious for work truck use, and too heavy and thirsty for a second car.  It does, however offer a type of balance right down the middle of these purposes that makes it a multipurpose vehicle at its best.  The Avalanche features 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 cargo bed also features lockable, side-mounted storage. A locking tailgate and cargo cover increase the secured-storage options even more. The Avalanche is available in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels and in two- and four-wheel drive. For 2010, the Avalanche has dropped the 6.0-liter V-8 engine from the Avalanche lineup, leaving the 5.3-liter flex-fuel V-8 as the only engine. Inside, Chevy has added a USB port that allows you to control your MP3 player through the truck's stereo.  5.3-liter V-8 is only engine choice-Cost-Blind spots larger than in standard pickup. The 2010 Avalanche benefits from its versatile cargo area, its roomy backseat, decent towing capacity and features, and unique styling.  The downsides to the Chevy Avalanche are its higher cost, its single powertrain option, and a large blindspot compared to conventional pickups. EPA fuel economy estimates are 14/20 mpg City/Highway for the 5.3-liter engine.

Driving the Avalanche

The 2010 Avalanche has improved ride and handling, and by a wide margin since it was first introduced in 2002.  The Avalanche offers a tight, stable, and light drive, despite its weight.   Steering is crisper than casual, precise by truck standards and nicely weighted. Body lean in corners is there but well controlled. The brake pedal feels firm and delivers controlled stops. There's less wind buffeting in the open-air configuration with the Midgate down than you'd expect because of careful shaping of the roof and buttresses. Maximum payloads are in the 1320- to 1350-pound range; don't forget this includes passengers. The engine delivers adequate acceleration, very linear after initial launch which comes on quite quickly for even light-footed pedal application. The engine features Active Fuel Management, which electronically shuts off four of the eight cylinders when they are not needed. Parking and backing up in tight spots can be tough because of limited rear visibility.   It is a good idea to opt for the rearview camera. It's convenient and safer, helping alert the driver to the presence of a child or adult behind the truck.

2010 Avalanche Design

The Avalanche is neither an SUV nor a pickup, it's both. It has the bold but familiar front-end styling found on Chevy's truck-based products. Setting the Avalanche apart are distinctive sails that connect the cab to the bed and emphasize the smooth roofline and exterior length. Overall, this is a big vehicle. In fact, the 2010 Avalanche is just an inch shorter than a Chevy Suburban. The Avalanche rides on the GMT900 platform, sharing its basic structure with the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and Silverado, the GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade. A high-relief lower fascia houses tow hooks and tries to look like the leading edge of a skid plate. Squarish wheel wells look under-filled, even with the optional 20-inch wheels. Essential as the signature feature of the Avalanche are the angular flying buttresses connecting the roofline to the prominent plastic bed cover; and the only design cue that clashes with the sleek look of the current model. The tailgate looks like something from a traditional pickup. The tailgate is spring loaded to lighten its perceived weight, but it still seems heavier than its counterparts.

Avalanche Power

The Avalanche for 2010 now only has one powertrain, the standard engine is a 310-horsepower (326-hp E85), 5.3-liter V-8 with an iron block, rated at 335 pounds-feet of torque (350 pounds-feet of torque E85).  It's paired with GM's six-speed automatic, giving drivers two overdrive gears for better highway mileage. A 3.08:1 rear axle is now standard for both two- and four-wheel-drive models, enabling reduced engine speed during cruising to improve fuel economy

Inside a Chevy Avalanche

On the 2010 Avalanche, the hood drops away fairly steeply from the base of the windshield. The flying buttresses hamper visibility, although the large outside mirrors compensate somewhat. The Midgate is what separates the Avalanche from other pickups. With the Midgate and bed cover in place, you have a four-door truck with a huge, lockable trunk. Fold the seats down and the trunk gets even bigger. Lift off the bed covers, fold the seats back up, and it's a pickup with a short bed. Finally, fold those rear seats and the Midgate and remove and stow the back window and bed cover, and it's transformed into an open-air hauler with room for all sizes and shapes of cargo.  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. The cover incorporates two lockable storage bins on each side just forward of the tailgate, but the height of the bed's walls makes them hard to reach by anybody shorter than five-foot-eight. On the other hand, they are water-tight and fitted with drains, making them usable as coolers. Converting the Avalanche from SUV to pickup to be a fairly easy process once learned.  But it does take some time, patience and even a little strength.  Also, the rear glass panel must be carefully snapped into a holder when removed.  The 2010 Avalanche includes dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, remote vehicle start and a heavy-duty rear locking differential. Overall, the interior is spacious.  The front seats are comfy and supportive.

Summary

Standard safety features for the 2010 Avalanche include side curtain airbags, front seat belt pretensioners, Electronic stability system with rollover mitigation technology, seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants, and OnStar with GM Advanced Crash Response. TheUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist and a rearview camera is optional and highly recommended. The 2010 Chevy Avalanche offers unique versatility that those looking for a multipurpose vehicle.  It does not excel at one thing, rather is is capable in a wide variety of area. For a closer look at this model , view a 2010 Chevy Avalanche photo gallery from Truck Trend.