2010 Chevy Avalanche Review

The 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche gets a couple of changes. A USB port has been added to the audio system, and the previous four-trim lineup has been condensed to just three. The optional 6.0-liter V8 has been dropped; also, a single-speed transfer case is now standard on 4WD models, with a two-speed transfer case offered as an option.

Thanks to its practical convertible midgate configuration, the 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche is an ideal crew-cab pickup for carrying a combination of passengers and cargo.

The 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche reflects GM's effort to combine a pickup with an SUV. The Avalanche takes after its pickup parent with its four-door crew-cab configuration. However, unlike a truck, its cab and bed aren't separate; instead, the Avalanche features an SUV's one-piece body.

At the center of it all is a unique midgate design that makes the Avalanche both versatile and flexible. The midgate consists of a foldable wall and a removable rear window that separates the cabin and the bed. When paired with the vehicle's watertight, lockable bed cover, the midgate allows Avalanche owners to choose from a host of configurations. The bed can be left fully open like a pickup's or enclosed like an SUV's.

Certainly, the full-sized Avalanche is no slouch in the size department. Its generous dimensions make it a somewhat unwieldy companion around town, and it incurs big bills at the pump. Prospective buyers will also want to consider its cost -- this mixed-breed Chevy is more expensive than a similarly sized crew-cab pickup.

If you're in the market for a vehicle with this kind of versatility, you've got a couple of choices to mull over. The Cadillac Escalade EXT is pretty much the same truck; it gets you more power and luxury but at a higher price. The Honda Ridgeline is another alternative. Smaller than the Avalanche, the Ridgeline is more easily maneuverable, and is worth considering if maximum cargo capacity isn't a priority. Keep in mind, though, that this Honda's car-based design makes it less rugged than the Avalanche; also, it doesn't offer the Chevy's useful midgate.

The 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche is available with either two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The standard setup for 4WD models this year is a single-speed transfer case; a more traditional two-speed transfer case (with low-range gearing) is optional.

All 2010 Avalanche models come standard with a 5.3-liter V8 putting out 320 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, driven through a six-speed automatic transmission. A properly equipped 2WD Avalanche can tow up to 8,100 pounds. EPA-estimated fuel economy for 2010 is 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined for 2WD versions.

Standard Avalanche safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, GM's OnStar emergency communications system and a full-length side curtain airbag system with a rollover sensor. In government crash tests, the Avalanche earned a top five-star rating in all front- and side-impact tests.

With no cargo and just a driver in the cabin, the 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche offers acceleration that's quicker than its considerable size would suggest. The steering is light but accurate, and the Avalanche is competent around corners. Thanks to its SUV-like body, the Avalanche is a bit smoother and quieter on the road than a traditional pickup, but its large size and considerable blind spots can make it difficult to maneuver in parking lots.

As is the case with the related Silverado pickup, the Avalanche's cabin boasts solid fit and finish and a logical layout of controls. With bucket seats, the Avalanche seats five, but it can carry up to six passengers when equipped with the split-bench front seat.

With the midgate up, the Avalanche's cargo bed is 5-feet-3-inches long; drop the midgate and slide the rear seats forward and the bed grows to over 8 feet. Configuring the midgate is simple and easy. Additional storage opportunities are to be found via removal of the cargo covers and utilization of the cargo box's outside compartments.