Used 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche

The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche truck is part pickup, part SUV and entirely practical. Its big, roomy cabin is virtually identical to the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban-at least from the second-row seat forward. What makes the 2012 Chevy Avalanche so much more versatile than a crew-cab pickup is the standard folding midgate bulkhead behind the rear seat. Essentially a cutout covered by a metal panel, with the midgate folded down the Avalanche’s bed is extended into the cab. Built on the same platform as the Suburban, the 2012 Avalanche full-size truck is endowed with the same strong chassis, ground clearance and AWD ability as its SUV cousin. The only difference is there is no 2500 model, and the standard engine is Chevy’s small-block 5.3-liter V8 featuring Active Fuel Management and E85 capability.

Despite its size and obvious pickup-truck chassis, the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche delivers an impressive level of refinement in areas of both ride and handling. Over smooth roads, the suspension seems to float along, almost like an old Caddy or Lincoln. When the road starts to turn, however, you’ll need to pay attention as the bulky Avalanche isn’t exactly light and nimble on its feet. The standard StabiliTrak stability control is a welcome addition and is quite effective at helping rectify an Avalanche skidding out of control. The 5.3-liter V8 is plenty strong, but because the power is delivered through the 6-speed transmission with such smoothness, acceleration can sometimes feel slower than it actually is. The 2012 Chevy Avalanche’s steering is on the light side, but not effortless, and the vehicle has an impressively tight turning circle.

The 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche truck can seat up to six passengers, but we think five is a more comfortable number. The thickly padded seats offer outstanding comfort and are positioned high up to give everyone onboard a good view looking out. A massive center console with covered storage compartments separates the front bucket-style seats and is large enough to fit a tablet or large purse. The rear seats have good head and legroom for tall passengers, and the folding rear seatback exposes the midgate panel pass-through. For even more room, the rear glass can also be removed.

The centerpiece of the Chevy Avalanche’s design is its folding midgate bulkhead separating the cabin from truck’s bed. With the midgate open, the 2012 Chevy Avalanche’s bed grows from 5.3 feet to 8.2, nearly doubling the length of items the Avalanche can haul. The bed itself features a protective liner and storage boxes along the bed walls complete with drainage plugs to let melting ice or wet clothes safely evacuate water. The Avalanche also has lockable exterior storage areas as well as an available 3-piece interlocking cargo cover. Visually, the Avalanche is a handsome hybrid of the Suburban SUV, with a monochromatic exterior treatment and color-keyed flying-buttress bed components (LTZ trim only) that give the 2012 Chevy Avalanche truck the unique exterior it needs to separate it from the average-looking pickup truck crowd.

Active Fuel Management System
Chevrolet is by no means alone in offering cylinder deactivation, but it’s a welcome addition to these heavyweight vehicles, which are known for consuming substantial quantities of gasoline.

Midgate Configuration
True pickup-truck fans might shun the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche’s relatively short cargo bed and SUV foundation, but the midgate gives it a degree of versatility that’s absent from traditional pickups.

In base LS trim, the 2012 Chevy Avalanche truck includes remote keyless entry, heated power mirrors, a cloth-upholstered 40/20/40 split-bench front seat with power on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides, side steps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear privacy glass, the StabiliTrak stability-enhancement system, head-curtain side-impact airbags and 17-inch tires on 5-spoke aluminum wheels. GM’s Autoride suspension, with real-time damping for reduced body motion, is standard on the LTZ, as is a limited-slip differential and 20-inch wheels and tires. The LTZ and various levels of the LT group also include remote engine starting, rear-obstacle detection, leather upholstery and power-adjustable pedals. All versions of the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche include GM’s OnStar.

The Off-Road Package includes 18-inch wheels, the off-road suspension, tubular assist steps, locking rear differential and a skid-plate package. Available articulated running boards automatically move downward and outward as the doors are opened. Individual options, depending upon trim level, include Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, a rearview camera system, navigation system, DVD back-seat entertainment system with an 8-inch screen, power sunroof, XM Satellite Radio with real-time traffic assist for navigation-equipped models and 20-inch wheels.

The 2012 Chevy Avalanche offers only one engine and transmission choice: a Vortec 5.3-liter V8, matched to a 6-speed 6L80 Hydra-Matic transmission. The engine can operate on E85 or gasoline, although fuel economy is greatly reduced when using E85 while horsepower is increased slightly. Under certain conditions, Active Fuel Management Technology lets the engine run on four cylinders to save fuel. The 2-wheel drive (2WD) trucks use an iron-block engine while the 4WD trucks have an aluminum block.

5.3-liter V8 Flex Fuel (iron block)
320 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
335 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 (2WD, gasoline), 11/16 (2WD, E85)

5.3-liter V8 Flex-Fuel (aluminum block)
320 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
335 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 (4WD, gasoline), 11/16 (4WD, E85)