2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Quality Review

November 5, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

not much people space
Car and Driver

True pickup-truck fans might shun the Avalanche's relatively short cargo bed
Kelley Blue Book

cabin features straightforward ergonomics and top-notch fit and finish
Edmunds

Despite a limited bed, the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche offers a fair amount of versatility when it comes to storage space because of its Midgate.

Car and Driver comments that there's "not much people space" inside the 2008 Chevy Avalanche. Cars.com says that "two rows provide seats for up to six occupants," however. Edmunds reports that the "more common front bucket-seat arrangement seats five, but the [2008 Chevy] Avalanche can accommodate up to six occupants when equipped with the split-bench front seat." According to ConsumerGuide, the Chevrolet Avalanche 2008's "bucket seats are supportive and provide generous room."

Car and Driver raves about "cargo flexibility" in the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, noting "this truck has GM's innovative Midgate feature, which allows pass-through capability between the cargo box and the cabin, vastly increasing versatility." Cars.com says Chevrolet Avalanche 2008 rear seats "can fold to extend the cargo bed, but once the midgate is down there is no partition separating the driver and front passenger from the elements." They also report that the "Avalanche's bed measures 5.3 feet long and has 45.5 cubic feet of volume -- roughly equal to a four-door Dodge Dakota Club Cab." Kelley Blue Book notes "true pickup-truck fans might shun the Avalanche's relatively short cargo bed and SUV foundation, but the Midgate gives it a degree of versatility that's absent from traditional pickups."

According to Edmunds, the interior is "constructed of high-quality materials, the cabin features straightforward ergonomics and top-notch fit and finish." ConsumerGuide says the 2008 Chevy Avalanche is "trimmed mostly with hard plastic, but many surfaces are textured, lending an upscale appearance," and notes that "gauges are large and easy to read...the climate controls are mounted slightly low but are no trouble to reach."

ConsumerGuide also reports that while there is "noticeable highway-speed wind rush and tire rumble...bump noise is well-suppressed, [and] engine whine intrudes only in rapid acceleration."

Conclusion

The 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche has full-size passenger space and, when it’s needed, full-size truck capacity.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:not much people spaceCar and DriverTrue pickup-truck fans might shun the Avalanche's relatively short cargo bedKelley Blue Bookcabin features straightforward ergonomics and top-notch fit and finishEdmunds Despite a limited bed, the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche offers a fair amount of versatility when it comes to storage space because of its Midgate. Car and Driver comments that there's "not much people space" inside the 2008 Chevy Avalanche. Cars.com says that "two rows provide seats for up to six occupants," however. Edmunds reports that the "more common front bucket-seat arrangement seats five, but the [2008 Chevy] Avalanche can accommodate up to six occupants when equipped with the split-bench front seat." According to ConsumerGuide, the Chevrolet Avalanche 2008's "bucket seats are supportive and provide generous room." Car and Driver raves about "cargo flexibility" in the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, noting "this truck has GM's innovative Midgate feature, which allows pass-through capability between the cargo box and the cabin, vastly increasing versatility." Cars.com says Chevrolet Avalanche 2008 rear seats "can fold to extend the cargo bed, but once the midgate is down there is no partition separating the driver and front passenger from the elements." They also report that the "Avalanche's bed measures 5.3 feet long and has 45.5 cubic feet of volume -- roughly equal to a four-door Dodge Dakota Club Cab." Kelley Blue Book notes "true pickup-truck fans might shun the Avalanche's relatively short cargo bed and SUV foundation, but the Midgate gives it a degree of versatility that's absent from traditional pickups." According to Edmunds, the interior is "constructed of high-quality materials, the cabin features straightforward ergonomics and top-notch fit and finish." ConsumerGuide says the 2008 Chevy Avalanche is "trimmed mostly with hard plastic, but many surfaces are textured, lending an upscale appearance," and notes that "gauges are large and easy to read...the climate controls are mounted slightly low but are no trouble to reach." ConsumerGuide also reports that while there is "noticeable highway-speed wind rush and tire rumble...bump noise is well-suppressed, [and] engine whine intrudes only in rapid acceleration." ConclusionThe 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche has full-size passenger space and, when it’s needed, full-size truck capacity. 2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "Versatile midgate-based body style" ForbesAutos: "a cross between a full-size SUV and a full-size pickup truck" Car and Driver: "Decent interior" From its debut as a 2002 model, the Chevrolet Avalanche has been defined by ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

When you look at this list of competitors, they are the usual suspects one would find when comparing only pickups. The 2008 Chevy Avalanche functions well as a pickup, and offers towing capabilities that are more than competitive with any of these rivals. What the Avalanche offers over these challengers is that rare combination of five-passenger comfort with an eight-foot bed, something that you won't find in most pickups--at least, not at the same time. All the others are similar full-size trucks with no midgate, but a choice of engines, transmissions, box lengths, and drivetrains.

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See the Chevrolet Avalanche in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

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