Overview

What Changed for 2008:

• New woodgrain trim and brighter instrument pointers on LTZ


• Split bench seat available on LS


• Electronic stability control and 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) standard


• Head curtain side-impact air bags standard


• Standard one-year OnStar Safe & Sound plan


• OnStar Directions & Connections, Turn-by-Turn Navigation standard on LT and LTZ


• XM satellite radio standard (three months free)


• Heavy-duty Z71 Off-Road package optional


• Rear parking assist, rearview camera optional


• DVD navigation & rear-seat DVD entertainment system optional

Overview
Chevrolet's 2008 Avalanche is a carryover model from 2007, when it was redesigned. Avalanche's claim to fame is its unique Midgate, which opens a panel between the cabin and bed to extend the bed from 63 to 99 inches. With rear seat up and Midgate closed, Avalanche has 6-passenger seating. Available in rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive (2WD or 4WD), Avalanche has two V-8 engines, including an E85 flexible-fuel capability version.

Model Lineup
The 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche is available in either 2WD or 4WD and LS, LT or LTZ trim. Standard equipment on the LS includes GM's innovative Midgate; 3-piece cargo cover; lockable top-box storage; dual-zone manual temperature controls; custom cloth front split-bench seat with 60/40 rear split bench; 6-way power driver seat; AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and 6-speaker sound system; and steering-wheel-mounted audio/cruise controls. OnStar one-year Safe & Sound plan and three months of XM satellite radio are standard. The 1LT trim adds OnStar Direction & Connections Plan with Turn-by-Turn Navigation; custom cloth front bucket seats; audio input jack for iPod or MP3 players; and rear-seat audio controls. 2LT adds rear parking assist; leather-appointed front bucket seats; remote vehicle start; upgraded stereo with 6-disc CD/MP3 player/changer; and power-adjustable pedals. 3LT also includes 10-way power-adjustable leather front bucket seats; Bose 7-speaker system; power-folding outside mirrors with ground illumination, curb tilt, and auto-dimming for the driver's side; and a heated windshield washer fluid system. Step up to LTZ and you also get leather-appointed front bucket seats with 2-driver memory; driver and front passenger heated bucket seats with 10-way power-adjustable seat and driver memory; luggage rack side rails; windshield wipers with heated washer fluid; 20-inch polished aluminum wheels; chrome door handles, mirror caps and grille inserts; and a covered storage area in the center console.

Options on the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche include power black or tubular chrome side-mounted assist steps; automatic-locking rear differential; skid plate package; Z71 Off-Road package; luggage roof-rack rails; rear parking assist; and 18- or 20-inch aluminum wheels.

Powertrain
The standard engine powering the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche is a 5.3-liter V-8 with GM's Active Fuel Management, which produces 320 hp at 5200 rpm and 340 lb.-ft. of torque at 4200 rpm. In 2WD, an E85 flexible-fuel version of the 5.3-liter V-8 engine is also available, generating the same horsepower and torque. In 4WD configuration, the 5.3-liter V-8 engine delivers 320 hp at 5200 rpm and 335 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. The optional 6.0-liter V-8 engine pumps out 366 hp at 5500 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. of torque at 4300 rpm. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on all 2008 Avalanche models. EPA fuel economy estimates for the standard 5.3-liter engine are 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway (gasoline) and 11 mpg city/15 mpg highway (E85). The 6.0-liter V-8 engine gets an EPA-estimated 12 mpg city/17 mpg highway. Electronic stability control is standard on all 2008 Avalanche models. A heavy-duty, 4-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive and tow/haul mode is available on LT3 and LTZ models.

Safety
Standard safety features on the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche include dual front air bags with passenger-sensing system; head curtain side-impact air bags for all rows with rollover sensor; and 4-wheel ABS. A driver information center and electronic stability control system are standard on all models.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche receives a 5-star rating in frontal- and side-impact crash testing. In NHTSA rollover tests, Avalanche receives a 3-star rating for 2WD and 4WD models.

Technology
The 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche has standard or available AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and 6-speaker sound system; AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD/MP3 player/changer; audio input jack for iPod or other MP3 player; Bose 7-speaker system; remote vehicle start; rear parking assist; rearview camera; DVD navigation; and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with 8-inch screen. XM satellite radio is standard, including three months free.