Overview

What's New for 2012:
- Heated front seats are standard on upper trims
- Safety features include hill-start assist and trailer-sway control

Exterior Features
The Chevrolet Avalanche is a pickup truck that may be reconfigured into a crew cab SUV. While the Avalanche is built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Suburban, a midgate separates the cab from the cargo bed. The midgate features a foldable wall and removable window and may be left open, similar to a pickup, or enclosed, as on an SUV. The Avalanche is available in base LS trim, as well as in LT and LTZ trims. The base exterior features 17-inch alloy wheels, side steps, removable bed cover, automatic headlights, roof rack, and a composite cargo bed. The LT trim adds fog lights, locking rear differential, keyless ignition, and rear parking sensors. The LTZ features 20-inch wheels, adaptive suspension with automatic load leveling, and power-folding mirrors. With proper equipment, the towing capacity for the Avalanche is 8,100 pounds.

Interior Features
The Avalanche LS has air conditioning, cruise control, 6-speaker sound system, and some power accessories. The LT upgrades to dual-zone automatic climate control, more power features, heated front seats, and a Bose sound system. The LTZ provides perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, navigation system, rearview camera, and a heated steering wheel.

Optional Features
There are few options on the LS, but the LT offers leather upholstery, power-folding mirrors, and upgraded power front seats. Options on the LTZ include power-retractable side steps, sunroof, rear-seat entertainment system, and 22-inch wheels. An Off Road package provides a different look on the exterior and adds all-terrain springs, shocks, and tires, plus skid plate and other heavy-duty features.

Under the Hood
The Avalanche's standard power plant is a 5.3-liter V-8 engine rated at 320 horsepower, mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. All trims are available with 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche are 15/21/17 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Safety
Standard safety features on the Avalanche include anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, emergency communications system, front-seat side air bags, and side curtain air bags.

In government tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Avalanche received 3 (out of 5) stars for rollover protection. To date, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not conducted tests on the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche.