Three engines are offered, two 5.3-liter V8s, one making 320 horsepower in the two-wheel drive version, another 310 horsepower in the four-wheel drive model, and a 355-hp, 6.0-liter V8 scheduled to appear later in the model run. The transmission is a four-speed automatic, mated to an electronic transfer case in four-wheel-drive models. The heavy-duty Avalanche 2500 has been discontinued and is no longer available.
The LS 2WD ($31,790) is the entry-level Avalanche, along with the LS 4WD ($34,790). Seats are cloth covered benches, front and rear; the front splits 40/20/40 with a six-way power driver's seat and manual recline on both driver and passenger seat, the rear 60/40. Standard features include dual-zone air conditioning, the usual array of powered utilities including the tailgate lock, multi-media stereo radio, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, front and rear seat carpeted floor mats, two auxiliary power outlets, ready-to-tow trailer setup and P265/70R17 all-season tires on aluminum wheels. Notable options include a stereo upgrade adding an in-dash, six-CD changer ($300); XM satellite radio with pre-paid, three-month trial subscription ($199); power adjustable pedals ($120) with rear park assist ($245); luggage rack ($195) and cross rails ($45); auto-lock rear differential ($295); and white-letter highlighted tires ($125). Also, but only on the LS, is a delete-option (-$600) soft cargo cover in place of the standard three-piece, hard cover.
The LT 2WD ($32,490) and 4WD ($35,490) feature an upgraded interior with cloth bucket seats, six-way power adjustments for the driver's seat, manual recline on both seats, a center console, and rear-seat audio controls with dual headphone jacks. Halogen fog lamps are standard. A front bench seat is a no-cost option. Options in addition to those for the LS include: automatic, dual-zone climate control ($195); DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system with remote and wireless headphones ($1295); touch-screen, DVD-based navigation system with voice recognition ($2250); Bose premium speaker system ($495); power, tilt-and-slide sunroof ($995); universal remote transmitter ($105); and P275/55R20 blackwall tires on polished aluminum wheels ($1795).
Option packages for the LT include 2LT ($2,040) with automatic climate control system, the universal remote, the six-CD stereo, leather upholstery, power adjustable pedals, rear parking assist and remote vehicle starter. In addition, a rear-view camera system ($250) is available with the 2LT package. The 3LT package ($3,650) includes 2LT plus 12-way power, heated front bucket seats with two-setting driver memory; outside mirrors with dip-to-park, integrated turn signals, driver-side auto-dim and ground courtesy lighting; the Bose premium speakers; and XM satellite radio. Rain-sensing windshield wipers ($95) and a heated wiper washer fluid system ($85) can be ordered with the 3LT package.
The LTZ 2WD ($39,225) and 4WD ($42,225) come standard with most of the equipment that's optional on the other two models. Also standard is a premium suspension package with variable shock damping and air-assisted rear load leveling. Power retractable running boards ($1,095) are optional. The luggage rack crossrails are optional, along with the rear-view camera system, the sunroof, the rear-seat entertainment system and the navigation system.
Safety features that come standard on all models include the required front-seat airbags and LATCH rear-seat child safety seat anchors. The OnStar crash-notification system is standard. Full-coverage, side-curtain airbags that protect against head injuries in side impacts and rollovers are optional ($350) on the LS and the LT, including the 2LT treatment, and standard on the 3LT and LTZ. Active safety features that come standard include antilock brakes, electronic stability control, all-speed traction control and tire-pressure monitors.
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