2009 Chevrolet Avalanche User Reviews

Pros

Ride, Visability, Comfort, Performance

Cons

none so far

Purchased As New

A long time full size truck owner, I debated long and hard over the Avalanche as an upgrade from an extended cab pickup to carry 4 adults comfortably. After multiple test drives and comparisons with the crew cab trucks from Ford and Chevy, the smoother ride made the difference. Of course the several inches less in length helps it fit in the garage. In the two months I've owned it, I've hauled queen matress sets as well as full sheets of plywood, all without a problem. This is the perfect vehicle for those who occasionally need a real truck, which the normal SUV is not, and those who want the better ride of the SUV....read morehide

Pros

nice truck

Cons

rides nice

Purchased As New

i got a 2007 avalanche black with silver interier
i love it i put lots of weight and it rides like nothing was on
the best truck i ever bought wouldnt traid it for nothing

Pros

great all around truck, owned em all would'nt trade my chevy for anything..

Cons

wish it got 20mpg...

Purchased As Used

my second one, had 2002, 120,000 miles zero problems!!!! I'm hooked..I've read some of these reviews, no power,doesnt off road good,sloppy steering, not!!!! I have 2007 just purchased Z71 awesome all the goodies $52,000 list, safe, reliable,best off road veh snow mud If I dont have 5,000 lbs on the back the motor doesnt even work..I drive three miles up a stone road up to 2,000 feet elvation to our hunting camp,summer and winter nothing stops it...and when you sell it there will someone waiting to buy for a good buck..you wont be sorry!!! buy american!!!!...read morehide

Pros

Very comfortable truck to drive. Decent fuel economy in town and on the hiway.

Cons

Not enough power for hills. Weak air conditioner. Does not slow when foot lifted off gas.

Purchased As New

I like driving this truck as it is comfortable and looks good. The drop gate for extending the bed is a very fine idea and have used it several times. The hard tonneau covers are useful in that they will support a lot of weight and snap in nicely. The auto locking tailgate is a nice feature. Decent fuel economy in town and on the hiway.
What I don't like is the truck is underpowered for long hills, the transmission shifts up and down. This is hard on a transmission.
It either needs more power or better programming.
Driving in town, the transmission 'hunts' for the right gear unless you put your foot into it. This is annoying.
The air conditioning is weak, my old Ford would freeze you out. I took it back to the dealer and he said the air was fine. Hmm.
The windshield defroster is poorly designed. Does not clear the windshield well from a cold start. The defrost vent is in the center of the dash so warm air doesn't get to the side of the windshield.
The duel climate controls are difficult to adjust while driving.
Overall, I like the truck, but will need to spend several thousand more 'tweaking it' to get it to my liking.
ie: duel exhaust, cold air intake, computer performance program.
This vehicle does not slow when your foot is taken off the gas. So end up having to use the brakes more often. It's like it freewheels.
This is an LS model with lots of upgrades. Back up sensor and camera. Very useful. Dual climate control. Nice.
Trailer package: nice feature on the shifter to hold shifts longer.
Locking tailgate with the key fob is great. Rubber bed liner really holds stuff from sliding around.
This truck is a nice urban unit. 4 wheel drive selector is very convenient. Has an auto position so 4 wheel engages only when slippage is sensed. 4 wheel high and 4 wheel low go in and out easy. I wouldn't buy this for a working pickup though.
Having the drop gate to extend the bed shortens the wheelbase for a 4 door crew cab. So this truck has a really decent turning radius.
Overall, I'm happy with it. Just think Chev could have done a bit better job and made this a great truck instead of just good....read morehide

Pros

Exc. all around truck,

Cons

Don't buy it to save gas

Purchased As New

After many other trucks, and one other Avalanche, I think this one is the Best, as much room in the cab as a Tahoe, Sure hope they keep makeing it!!!

Pros

Great Look Fuel Economy and love the Nav, and Backup Camera

Cons

Autolift Tailgate Would Be Nice

Purchased As New

I love this truck I got it Last August and I Have Not had a PROBLEM with it!!!!!!. It has great tow capacity I recently moved some furniture and Last year I towed a Motorcycle and 2 ATV's on a trailer. The leather, Navigation, backup camera, and wood grain makes it look like an Escalade, and the Power and workability makes this it a grat combination for a Truck. I also love the fold down seats and the fold down wall @ the rear of the tailgate. I also had an '05 with the Z71 off-road package and was impressed. Tahoe and Suburban were beautiful but at the dealership they were too much to handle. So I got an Avalanche it is the same thing and I think it is More versitle....read morehide

Pros

Great economy, Rides Great. Very comfortable.

Cons

Need more head room.

Purchased As New

Got a '08 with the Z71 Off Road package and loved it from day one. Took it from Wisconsin to Montana and back with family and was very comfortable for everyone. Handles awesome on the winters snowy roads. Best 4WD truck that I have drove. I get comments everyday on how good it looks and rides. I lease this one and thinking about buying it at the end of the lease. It is that good....read morehide

Pros

All around great truck

Cons

No cons

Purchased As New

This is my second Avalanche and 4th 4wheel drive truck. I was not going to write a review but I keep seeing where people say this truck is not any good off road in mud or snow. These people obviously dont know how to drive off road because I live on a very muddy ranch in East Texas and have never been "stuck" once. Learn how to drive, people, before you start trashing a truck that you dont know how to operate properly. GREAT TRUCK EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ONE OR TWO!...read morehide

Pros

Appearance, Versitility

Cons

Price, No Auto Up function on windows, Fuel Economy

Purchased As New

I have wanted an Avalanche since the old body style came out. In September 2008, I bought a new LT3 4x4 (Ruby Red w/black leather). Not only do people tell me how good it looks but, I also catch myself staring at it in awe. This truck is almost everything I could ask for.

Pros:
Appearance~!!!!
Easy to use and reliable 4x4 system
Versitility (SUV to full size truck in 2-minutes)
Running boards, hard locking tonneau cover, and trailer hitch included!!
Active Fuel Management
E85 Capability
G80 Locking Rear Differential
Sounds great with GM's aftermarket performance exhaust

Cons:
No auto up function for windows (Even on a $43,000 truck?!)
Fuel Economy (Rated 14-19mpg. I get 13.9 overall and I do the speed limit)
Price (You get A LOT of truck for your money, but I think GM is getting a bit greedy with their pricing).

Overall I can say that, in my opinion, this truck is a steal. I can deal with no auto up function on the windows and I knew what I was getting myself into with the fuel economy. If you are the average Joe who enjoys the outdoors (camping, hunting, fishing), this truck will get you and your gear to your destination in style. If you are a construction worker or an off-roading junkie, then maybe you should pass on this one....read morehide

Pros

Having a dependable 4 Wheel drive is key for upstate NY Reverse Cam

Cons

Not well marketed People still do not understand the full functionality

Purchased As New

This is my third Avalanche I have been driving them since they came out in 2002. Love the new refinements and the flex fuel options. I like the clean burn of the ethenol and the milage difference so far in minimal. Truck runs Smoother. Need to market and show people the true flexability of these trucks. Every time some on new see my truck they are amazed by the flexability and comfort....read morehide