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2009 Chevrolet Avalanche Safety Review

March 13, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

rear-quarter blind spots hinder maneuverability
Edmunds

Side curtain airbags are now standard
Cars.com

Five stars, front and side impact protection; three stars, rollover resistance
NHTSA

In addition to its great safety scores, the 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche carries a long list of standard safety features.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not performed tests on the 2009 Avalanche, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Avalanche five out of five stars for front and side-impact protection. It did not do as well, receiving only three stars, in rollover resistance tests, though that can be expected for a rather tall truck.

According to Edmunds, the Chevrolet Avalanche 2009's "rollover mitigation feature senses impending rollovers and can apply individual brakes in an attempt to stop them." In addition, the 2009 Chevy Avalanche is equipped with "GM's OnStar emergency communications system." Cars.com reports that "curtain airbags are now standard," as well as "all-disc antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with rollover mitigation."

Visibility is one area where the 2009 Chevy Avalanche doesn’t shine. ConsumerGuide notes "the tall tail restricts vision directly aft." While the 2009 Chevy Avalanche "rear obstacle detection and rearview camera are helpful...the camera distorts distances, compromising its usefulness." Edmunds reports that the 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche's "large size and rear-quarter blind spots hinder maneuverability in tight spots."

Conclusion

The 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche performs exceptionally well in crash tests, but it has some visibility issues.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:rear-quarter blind spots hinder maneuverabilityEdmundsSide curtain airbags are now standardCars.comFive stars, front and side impact protection; three stars, rollover resistanceNHTSA In addition to its great safety scores, the 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche carries a long list of standard safety features. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not performed tests on the 2009 Avalanche, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Avalanche five out of five stars for front and side-impact protection. It did not do as well, receiving only three stars, in rollover resistance tests, though that can be expected for a rather tall truck. According to Edmunds, the Chevrolet Avalanche 2009's "rollover mitigation feature senses impending rollovers and can apply individual brakes in an attempt to stop them." In addition, the 2009 Chevy Avalanche is equipped with "GM's OnStar emergency communications system." Cars.com reports that "curtain airbags are now standard," as well as "all-disc antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with rollover mitigation." Visibility is one area where the 2009 Chevy Avalanche doesn’t shine. ConsumerGuide notes "the tall tail restricts vision directly aft." While the 2009 Chevy Avalanche "rear obstacle detection and rearview camera are helpful...the camera distorts distances, compromising its usefulness." Edmunds reports that the 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche's "large size and rear-quarter blind spots hinder maneuverability in tight spots." ConclusionThe 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche performs exceptionally well in crash tests, but it has some visibility issues. 2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "it's nearly as long as Chevrolet's full-size Suburban SUV" Car and Driver: "Decent interior" ForbesAutos: "a cross between a full-size SUV and a full-size pickup truck" Cadillac builds a similar vehicle to the 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Two types of buyers are most interested in the Avalanche: those who need serious long-bed pickup truck ability but also have to haul passengers, and those who like the style and innovative Midgate design. Versus any of the full-size pickup or SUV competition, the Avalanche offers that rare combination of five-passenger comfort with an eight-foot bed, something you won't find in most pickups—at least not at the same time. The Cadillac Escalade EXT, which is similar structurally to the Avalanche and has a similar Midgate setup, is the choice for those who like the design but want even more luxury. For those who simply like the design of the Avalance and Escalade but don’t necessarily need the long-bed pickup capability or the flexibility, the Honda Ridgeline is a possibility; it has a design that’s a fresh break from the pickup norm, and like the Avalanche, it appeals to those who are looking for something different, style-wise.

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See the Chevrolet Avalanche in Other Years:

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

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