On the negative side is a lack of leg and arm room. At just shy of 5' 11" (1.8 m) I don't consider myself NBA material, however I maxed-out the seat and pedal travel in search of the perfect driving position. Had I eaten all of my veggies as a child and not experimented with a few cigarettes, I may be complaining of insufficient arm and legroom as well.
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| A strong off-road contender, the Av's suspension sytem and 17-inch wheels soak up large potholes and washouts with ease. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
I have driven a number of late model pickup trucks and SUVs, few of which have equaled the solid, well-controlled and comfortable ride of the Avalanche. During some minor off-road excursions, I anticipated the head into the ceiling scenario when passing through large potholes and washouts. Fortunately this was not to be. The Avalanche suspension system, along with a set of 17-inch alloy wheels P265/70R16 all-season tires, absorbed the aberrations with grace and aplomb, meaning that my balding head and the roof liner remained strangers. This was largely due to the coil-spring suspension found at all four-corners of the 1500 mode that I tested. The 2500 model is equipped with heavier duty, two stage leaf springs at the rear and coils in the front and rides on LT245/75R16 tires. Although my excursions didn't cause me to scale Utah's Canyonlands, it was quite evident that the Avalanche is a strong contender off-road.
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| Instead of a typical sparse truck-like interior, the Avalanche exudes the look and feel of a family SUV. (Photo: General Motors) |
Due to the incredible popularity of SUVs and pickups, manufacturers have recognized the need to build a product that provides families with the comfort of a premium vehicle, combined with the versatility and
security of an all-wheel drive truck. This is a huge market segment, which demands quality fit and finishes. The Avalanche has accomplished this task, dumping its working class roots. The interior is devoid of the austerity historically found in trucks. The exterior panels are evenly aligned and assembled with precision. Doors "whump" closed without the metallic hollowness associated with trucks; even the tailgate slams shut with a thunk rather than a clang!
