2012 Chevrolet Avalanche

As a result of its practical midgate configuration, the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche is an ideal crew-cab pickup to carry a combination of passengers and cargo. The Avalanche’s standard stability-control system now includes trailer sway control and hill start assist for 2012. Heated seats can also be now standard around the LT, as you move the LTZ gets a heated tire.

The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche is actually a mix of two popular body styles: part four-door crew-cab pickup and part full-size SUV. To produce it, Chevy designers and engineers grafted a 5-foot-3 pickup bed onto the underpinnings in the brand’s venerable Suburban SUV, developing a unique truck that combines the most beneficial qualities of both.

The 2012 Avalanche certainly isn’t for anyone. Crew-cab pickups from Chevy, Dodge, Ford and Toyota all provide most of the passenger important things about the Avalanche, but with at a price other and greater capability. Nonetheless, this SUV/pickup combination still provides a blend of attributes that certainly causes it to become appealing, specifically for individuals who prioritize passenger comfort over utility.

2012 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ Pickup

The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche is a full-size crew-cab pickup which has a removable rear window and fold-down midgate. You will discover three trim levels available: the bottom LS, midrange LT and premium LTZ.

The LS features 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a roof rack, an amalgamated cargo bed, heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, side assist steps and also a removable three-piece bed cover. Inside there are dual-zone manual air-conditioning, cruise control, six-way power front seats, 60/40-split rear seats, a leather-wrapped tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth, OnStar plus a six-speaker sound system using a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and rear-seat audio controls. A 40/20/40 front bench seat is optional on the LS and increases seating chance to six. The actual package adds rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, remote ignition and power-adjustable pedals.

The LT adds to the base LS equipment foglights, rear parking sensors, a locking rear differential, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, remote ignition along with a seven-speaker Bose sound system. Eighteen-inch wheels are optional. The luxurious package adds power-folding mirrors, eight-way power front seats with power lumbar adjustment and driver memory, leather upholstery along with an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The top-of-the-line LTZ includes the posh package, but adds 20-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive suspension with automatic load leveling, a driver-side auto-dimming mirror, perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated tire, a navigation system, real-time traffic, a rearview camera and an eight-speaker Bose surround-sound speakers. Power-retractable side steps are optional.

The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche exists using a collection of either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. LS and LT 4WD models get a single-speed transfer case, while a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing is standard for the LTZ and available for an option on other trim levels.

Under the hood, all three Avalanche models obtain a 5.3-liter V8 that generates 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. Properly equipped, the Avalanche can tow approximately 8,100 pounds — a couple of,000 pounds just one Silverado. EPA-estimated gas mileage is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined for 2WD and 4WD models.

Standard security features around the Chevrolet Avalanche include antilock disc brakes, stability control, front side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags, plus GM’s OnStar emergency communications system. For 2012, the standard stability control system now includes trailer sway control and hill start assist.

Stepping into the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche has a bit of a climb, but once you’re there you may be rewarded with a good-looking interior trimmed with quality materials. As you’d expect at a vehicle with working-class roots, designers also paid careful attention to operate with well-placed gauges and easy-to-use controls (though most buttons are a little not big enough). Poor visibility is a dilemma, however, so we’d strongly suggest the rearview camera that’s standard around the LTZ and available as a possible option on other models.

From driving, the very first thing you find about the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche is that it accelerates smartly for a real large vehicle. Handling and steering feel tend to be a lot better than you’d expect from a pickup, although truck’s super-size dimensions and equally large blind spots to your sides and rear make maneuvering in tight quarters quite a job. On the upside, the belief that the Avalanche runs on the one-piece body helps make the ride a tad smoother and quieter compared to a traditional pickup design.