Avg. Price Paid:$19,595 - $29,885
Original MSRP: $35,460 - $46,700
MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy
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2009 Chevrolet Avalanche Review

Review Last Updated: 7/17/09

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall: 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche U.S. News Best Cars 8.7
Critics' Rating: 9.2
Performance: 7.7
Interior: 7.6
Safety: 9.9
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

  • Innovative midgate allows many cargo and passenger configurations
  • Sharp exterior design
  • Excellent crash test scores and safety equipment

 

  • Poor fuel economy, even with fuel-saving engine technology
  • Expensive sticker price relative to competition
  • Some displeased with base engine, steering

 

Research Other Years

The 2009 Avalanche as an exceptionally functional hauler/tower and a surprisingly smooth highway cruiser. The Avalanche combines the interior of an SUV with a pickup truck bed's utility.

 

Stuck somewhere between an SUV and a truck, the Avalanche is a good choice for people who do moderate hauling or towing, but still want a comfortable interior with plenty of seating. The Avalanche has a folding rear midgate and removable rear window, which extends the truck bed into the back seat area. Because the Avalanche is so multi-functional, most reviewers are positive about it. Despite largely good reviews, the Avalanche has limited maneuverability and low fuel economy (even for a large SUT), as well as a high price tag.  If you still need to do moderate hauling but want a more car-like interior, check out the 2009 Honda Ridgeline.

 

Come check out this month's Best Chevy Deals where we have done the research to get you the best offer. 

  • "The Avalanche blends a regular Chevy pickup and a Tahoe SUV into a versatile, funky sport-utility truck. It's fine to drive and boasts GM's innovative Midgate feature, which increases versatility by adding pass-through capability between the cargo box and the cabin." -- Car and Driver
  • "The truck has the right combination of attributes -- power, space, towing capacity, and off-road ability -- for people who sometimes want room for six people, but also have towing and cargo-carrying needs." -- Truck Trend
  • "Shopping for a pickup truck primarily for passenger use? Check out the Avalanche. It offers a special blend of useful passenger accommodations, expandable cargo room, big-truck muscle, and friendly road manners." -- Consumer Guide
  • "Thanks to its practical convertible midgate configuration, the 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche remains one of the most desirable crew-cab pickups for carrying a combination of passengers and cargo." -- Edmunds
  • "Perhaps the ultimate vehicular multitool, the Avalanche features a midgate that expands the cargo area into the passenger cab." -- PickupTrucks.com

 

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