2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
- For full-size pickup buyers, the crew cab body style is very
popular because it features a pickup's usual cargo bed, plus a rear
seat that's as roomy as one found in a sport-utility. The only
drawback is that the bed is typically short in length and doesn't
offer the enclosed security of an SUV's cargo area. To address this
concern, Chevrolet introduced the popular Avalanche six years ago.
Now in its second generation, the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche functions primarily as a crew-cab pickup but also offers a uniquely flexible "midgate" design that considerably enhances its functionality. The midgate is a movable partition separating the cabin area from the bed. On the Avalanche, both the rear window and the wall can be opened up as desired to increase utility and improve cargo management. When combined with the three-panel lockable bed cover, the midgate allows for a variety of configurations.
The Avalanche is built on General Motors' latest full-size truck platform, and incorporates a fully boxed frame and a redesigned suspension with rack-and-pinion steering that delivers more refined ride and handling characteristics and better on-road feel than before. Compared with older Avalanche models, we also like its updated exterior styling and new interior design, featuring higher-quality materials and premium features.
The 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche is still one of the few full-size pickups to offer a convertible midgate design configuration. Others include its closest sibling, the Cadillac Escalade EXT, and the Hummer H2 SUT. The Avalanche is by far the cheapest of this trio, and it's easily the most practical as well. Like all full-size crew cabs, of course, the Avalanche feels big and bulky around town and can be a pain to park precisely. It's also more costly than traditional crew cab pickups. But for those who can take full advantage of its do-it-all design character, the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche is an impressive and unmatched choice.
Avalanche LS- starts at 2WD *$34,335, 4WD *$37,385
Avalanche LT
starts at 2WD *$35,205, 4WD *$38,255
Avalanche LTZ
starts at 2WD *$41,725, 4WD *$44,775
 | Air Conditioning: Dual-zone manual climate control |
| Assist Handles: Front passenger and rear outboard |
| Audio system: AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player |
| Audio System Feature: Six-speaker audio system |
| Battery: Heavy-duty 600 cold-cranking amps, maintenance-free with rundown protection and retained accessory power. |
| Brakes: 4-wheel disc antilock |
| Cargo Cover: Rear rigid, three-piece composite, stowable onboard. |
| Cruise Control: Electronic with set and resume speed. |
| Defogger: Rear-window electric. |
| Door Handles: Exterior, Black |
| Door Locks: Power, programmable, include lockout protection. |
| Driver Information Center |
| Engine: Vortec 5.3L V8 SFI with Active Fuel Management and 320hp |
| Fascia: Front, color-keyed |
| Glass: Solar-Ray deep tinted (all windows except light tinted glass on windshield, driver and front passenger) |
| Headlamps: Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) with Automatic Exterior Lamp Control. |
| Midgate: Foldable door between cargo box and cab with a removable and stowable rear window. |
| Mirror: Inside rearview auto-dimming with 8-point compass and outside temperature display. |
| Mirrors: Outside, heated, power-adjustable, manual-folding, Black |
| Pickup Box Mat: Black rubber |
| Remote Vehicle Starter Prep Package: Includes Remote Keyless Entry |
| Seats: Front 40/20/40 split bench cloth; includes manual recliners, driver 6 way power adjuster, driver manual lumbar control, center fold down armrest with storage and lockable storage compartment in seat cushion |
| Seats: Rear 60/40 split-bench with cloth trim, 3-passenger, flip and fold with child seat top tether anchor |
| StabiliTrak: Electronic Stabillity Control System with Proactive Roll Avoidance. |
| Steering Wheel: Leather-wrapped |
| Steering Wheel Controls: Mounted audio, Driver Information Center and cruise controls |
| Steps: Assist, Dark Charcoal |
| Storage: Integrated top-box storage with locks and light |
| Suspension: Front, coil-over-shock with stabilizer bar |
| Suspension: Rear, multi-link with coil springs |
| Suspension Package: Premium Smooth Ride |
| Theft-Deterrent System: Vehicle, PASS-Key III |
| Tires: P265/70R17 touring, all-season, blackwall |
| Tire carrier: lockable outside spare, winch-type mounted under frame at rear |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System: (tire pressure monitoring does not apply to spare tire) |
| Trailering Equipment: Heavy-duty, includes trailering hitch platform |
| Transmission: 4-speed automatic, electronically controlled overdrive and tow/haul mode |
| Visors: Driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors, padded with cloth trim, extends on rod |
| Wheels: 17-inch, five-spoke, aluminum with radial grooves |
| Windows: Power with driver and front passenger Express-Down and lockout features. |
| Features shown below are in addition to, or in place of, LS features: |
| Door handles: Color-keyed |
| Fog lamps: Front, halogen |
| Mirrors: Outside heated power-adjustable, manual-folding, color-keyed |
| Seats: Front bucket with Custom Cloth, 6-way power driver and front passenger seat adjusters, adjustable head restraints, driver manual lumbar control, floor console and rear storage pockets |
| Wheels: 17-inch, five-spoke, aluminum with smooth surface and rectangular pockets. |
The LT2 Model Features:
starts at 2WD *$37,330,
4WD *$40,380
| Features shown below are in addition to, or in place of, 1LT features: |
| Air conditioning: Dual-zone automatic climate control with individual climate settings for driver and right-front passenger. Includes rear air conditioning outlets in center console when bucket seats are ordered |
| Audio system: AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible 6 disc in dash CD changer, auxiliary jack input, seek and scan, digital clock, auto tone control, Radio Data System, speed compensated volume and TheftLock |
| Audio system controls: Rear with 2 headphone jacks (headphones not included), power outlet and controls for volume, station selection and media |
| Console: Floor with storage area, cup holders and integrated second row audio controls |
| Fascia: Rear color-keyed |
| Pedals: Power-adjustable for accelerator and brake |
| Rear Parking Assist: Ultrasonic with rearview LED display and audible warning |
| Remote vehicle starter system: Includes Remote Keyless Entry |
| Seats: Front bucket with leather appointed seating, 6 way power driver and front passenger seat adjusters, driver manual lumbar control, adjustable head restraints, floor console and rear storage pockets |
| Seats: Rear 60/40 split-bench with leather-appointed seating, 3-passenger, flip and fold with child seat top tether anchor |
| Universal Home Remote: Includes garage door opener, programmable |
The LT3 Model Features:
starts at 2WD *$38,395,
4WD *$41,445
| Features shown below are in addition to, or in place of, 2LT features: |
| Audio system feature: Bose premium 7-speaker system with subwoofer in center console |
| Mirrors: Outside heated power-adjustable, power-folding and driver-side auto-dimming, color-keyed with integrated turn signal indicators, ground illumination and curb-tilt |
| Seats: Front bucket with leather appointed seating, 10 way power driver and front passenger seat adjusters, power lumbar control, heated seat cushion and seatback, 2 position driver memory and adjustable head restraints |
| Features shown below are in addition to, or in place of, 3LT features: |
| Differential: Heavy-duty locking rear |
| Door handles: chrome |
| Grille insert: bright chrome |
| Luggage rack side rails: roof-mounted, Black |
| Suspension Package: Autoride, bi-state variable shock dampening and rear air-assisted load-leveling, includes Level control, auto air |
| Tires: P275/55R20, all-season, blackwall |
| Wheels: 4 - 20-inch x 8.5-inch polished aluminum |
| Windshield washer fluid system: Heated |
| Wipers: Front intermittent, Rainsense |
*Manufacturers Suggested retail Price, Tax, Title, dealer fees and optional equipment extra