| Model year | 2002 |
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Avalanche |
| Style | 1500 4dr Crew Cab 4WD (5.3L 8cyl 4A) |
| Base MSRP | $33,965 |
| As-tested MSRP | $36,568 |
| Drive type | 4WD |
| Engine type | V8 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 5.3 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 285 @ 5,200 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 325 @ 4,000 |
| Transmission type | 4-speed automatic |
| Suspension, front | Independent with torsion bars |
| Suspension, rear | Five-link coil spring w/ automatic load leveling |
| Steering type | Power, recirculating ball w/ variable assist |
| Tire brand | Goodyear |
| Tire model | Wrangler AT/S |
| Tire size, front | P265/70R17 |
| Tire size, rear | P265/70R17 |
| Brakes, front | Four-wheel vented disc |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.4 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 8.9 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 13.0 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.7 @ 83.8 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 33 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 140 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | N/A |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 43.3 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | Below 50 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 72 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 71 |
| Acceleration comments | We were fighting rainy conditions all day long during our testing, but did manage to get in our normal number of runs for this portion of the testing. Our best attempt was the fifth, during which we got the best numbers for each speed category. On that run, we used a brake-torque start and manually shifted the one-two and two-three shifts just before the 5,800 rev-limiter would cut in and limit the fun. Chevrolet produces some great engines and other than having a lot of weight for the 5.3-liter 285-horsepower engine to move around, the Avalanche did not disappoint. |
| Braking rating | Average |
| Braking comments | Stopping 5,700 pounds of high-center-of-gravity vehicle is no easy task, and the Avalanche did not surprise us with its test distances. We got the best numbers on the first attempt, and the distances started to get longer with each of the additional two runs. Because we were fighting the weather during our testing, we did not make as many runs as we would normally have done. ABS system noise was controlled but apparent, and stability seemed to be good. Overall, the Avalanche produced average numbers for its super-size heft. |
| Handling rating | N/A |
| Handling comments | This portion of the testing was not done due to inclement weather conditions. — Neil G. Chirico |
| Elevation (ft.) | 85 |
| Temperature (°F) | N/A |
| Wind (mph, direction) | N/A |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | Auto 13/17 Manual / |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 12 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 31 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 5,678 |
| Length (in.) | 221.7 |
| Width (in.) | 79.8 |
| Height (in.) | 73.5 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 130 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.3 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 38.9 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 40.7 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 38.6 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | N/A |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | N/A |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 6 years / 100,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | No |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard |
| Head airbags | Not Available |
| Antilock brakes | Standard |
| Electronic brake enhancements | None |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Not available |
| Rollover protection | N/A |
| Emergency assistance system | Standard - OnStar Communication System, incl. 1-year Safety and Security Service Pkg |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | N/A |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | N/A |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | N/A |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | N/A |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | N/A |
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