Buying a Used Chevy Avalanche

Of all the used trucks on the market today, the Chevy Avalanche is a unique blend of pickup truck capability and SUV styling, comfort, and convenience.

First released in 2002, the Avalanche was produced for a little more than a decade and was, at one point, the best-selling truck-meets-SUV combination money could buy.

Read on to see why…

The First Generation Chevy Avalanche: Redefining the Pickup Segment

Chevy introduced the Avalanche at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show in 2002 as the Ultimate Utility Vehicle.

Available with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive, the Avalanche came in three trim levels: the LS, LT, and LTZ. Equipped with efficient engine options, the Avalanche could be powered by the cylinder-deactivating Active Fuel Management of the Vortec 5.3-liter V8 or the fuel efficient Hydra-Matic 6L80. Built on GM’s SUV platform, the Avalanche boasted maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, which made it useful while offering the smoother ride expected from SUVs. Fun and convenient storage features were provided by lockable cargo spaces which were equipped with drains that could be plugged, transforming the storage units into ice-filled coolers. Pretty ideal and ingenious detail for tailgating during football season.

Sales of the Avalanche began in 2001 for the 2002 model year. Available as a 1500 half-ton or 2500 pickup truck, the innovative Avalanche very quickly began collecting awards and accolades. Motor Trend named it their 2002 “Truck of the Year,” and Popular Mechanics gave it their Design and Engineering award.

One of the favored design features, besides the cubby-turned-cooler, came in the form of the midgate, which drivers could use to lengthen the bed into the cab, making the Avalanche a light-duty pickup truck that could accommodate five passengers comfortably, while still offering competitive cargo space. Use of the midgate extended the Avalanche’s cargo area from 5 feet, 3-inches in length to a whopping 8 feet, 2 inches. Check out the video clip below for a helpful demonstration on how easily the Avalanche was modified to meet passenger and cargo needs.

When it came to sports marketing, the 2002 Avalanche was well-positioned in highly visible events. In preparation for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, a special edition Avalanche was used to transport the Olympic Flame as part of the Torch Relay en route to Salt Lake City. Overseas, Chevy partnered with outdoor retailer, North Face, to create another special edition Avalanche that transported an elite kayaking team through the Himalayas and into Tibet for a fearsome whitewater expedition. These events showcased the Avalanche’s capability, and its popularity quickly soared.

By 2003 the Avalanche averaged more than 93,000 units sold that year. It’s important to note that these figures and the overall popularity of the Avalanche was responsible for changing the pickup segment. What used to be strictly a utility vehicle was increasingly appreciated for its potential as a comfortable family vehicle. This was due, in part to the 2003 introduction of the WBH or, Without Body Hardware, package, which made the truck resemble the 2003 Silverados.

Thanks, in no small part to the success of the Avalanche, more manufacturers focused their efforts on creating light-duty crew cab pickup trucks, with sales from that segment accounting for more than 65 percent of total pickup truck sales in 2011. For the remainder of the first generation, the Avalanche remained relatively unchanged. Why mess with a winning formula?

The Second Generation of the Chevy Avalanche

Chevy launched the second generation of the Avalanche, built on the GM GMT900 platform, whose style was now more in line with Chevy Tahoe and Suburban.

The suspension was redesigned for enhanced driver and passenger comfort. Not forgetting its pickup truck power, drivers could opt for the Z71 package, designed specifically for off-roading and equipped with specialty tires, and a front bumper winch complemented by tremendous tow hooks. The Avalanche came available as a half-ton truck equipped with either a 5.3-liter or 6.0-liter V8 engine.

Not to be outdone by the first generation, the 2007 Chevy Avalanche was awarded the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada’s “Truck of the Year.” Consumer Reports reviewed the car and made it their Top Pick for 2009.

Generational upgrades began in 2009 when Chevy replaced the four-speed with a six-speed automatic transmission. The following year, Chevy removed the 6.0-liter Vortec V-8 engine, leaving the 5.3-liter engine as the only available engine option.

For 2011, the Avalanche remained largely unchanged, except for sales, which dropped from their best annual average of approximately 100,000 down to 20,088. Unable to recover, in 2012 General Motors determined that the Avalanche would be discontinued in 2013.

A Special Send Off: The Black Diamond Edition Chevy Avalanche

To commemorate the final year of the Avalanche, Chevy released the Black Diamond edition of the Avalanche. More than just commemorating the eleven year run of the Avalanche, Chevy thanked its customers and awarded their loyalty by offering the Black Diamond edition at a $2,500 discount.

Similar to other Avalanche models, the full-size crew-cab Black Diamond pickup truck offered three trim levels: the LS, LT, and LTZ, all of which were outfitted by the 5.3-liter V8, generating 320 horsepower with 335 lb.-ft. of torque, operated by standard six-speed automatic transmission.

All three trim levels were capable of towing just over 8,000 pounds.

Even though it was a base level, the LS was more fully equipped than you might expect. Standing on 17-inch alloy wheels, standard equipment included convenience features like heated mirrors, side assist steps, remote ignition, automatic headlights, rear privacy glass, and the three-piece removable bed cover.

The interior, with its smooth and refined SUV feel, featured cruise control, power front seats, dual-zone A/C, leather wrapped steering wheel, and 60/40-split rear seats. Technology and safety enhancements included Bluetooth, OnStar, and a rearview camera, with entertainment options including, satellite radio, CD/MP3 player, iPod/USB, and rear seat audio controls. To accommodate a sixth passenger, the LS offered an optional 40/20/40 rear bench seat.

Moving up a level, the Black Diamond LT featured all the equipment of the LS, but also added heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, locking rear differential, with an 18-inch wheel option. The LT could be further enhanced by the available All-Star package, which included more exterior chrome details, polished wheels, an automatic-dimming mirror on the driver’s side, and power-folding mirrors.

Building off the All-Star package, the high-end LTZ trim was built on 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, navigation system, eight-speaker Bose audio system, and optional power-retractable side steps.

Opting for the LT or LTZ models gave drivers the option of adding the Sun, Entertainment, and Destinations package, which provided a sunroof, a rear-seat entertainment system, as well as a navigation system, hence the Sun, Entertainment, Destination package name.

The off-roading Z71 package included some exterior enhancements in the form of more muscular fender flares, and a bolder front fascia, complemented by cylindrical side assist steps. The tires were boosted to 18-inches for off-roading adventures and the truck itself featured larger front recovery hooks, with protection from a skid plate, and the addition of an air cleaner.

Standard rear-wheel drive could be replaced by optional four-wheel drive with either a single or two-speed transfer case, depending on trim levels. Either way, the Black Diamond’s fuel economy was EPA-estimated at 15 city and 21 highway miles per gallon or 17 miles per gallon combined.

Between the two Chevy Avalanche generations, you have plenty of purchasing options for a used or certified pre-owned pickup truck. But, the Chevy Avalanche Black Diamond edition offers more in the way of current features and conveniences that we have come to expect as standard from Chevy trucks. However, if up-to-date bells and whistles aren’t necessarily a priority, the award-winning 2002 and 2007 model years are outstanding choices as well.

No matter what, when you’re behind the wheel of a used Chevy pickup truck, you are well-equipped to “Find New Roads.”