Chevrolet Avalanche

The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door, six-seat pickup truck with a somewhat SUV-like flavor, known as a "sport utility truck". Avalanche is based on the full-size long-wheelbase General Motors SUVs (such as the Chevrolet Suburban), and itself forms the basis of the upscale Cadillac Escalade EXT. On Chevrolet's website, the Avalanche is listed as an SUV or a pickup. Avalanche features four full-size hinged doors with seating for 5 or 6. The open bed in the back can be extended into the back seat area by folding down the rear wall (or 'midgate' as GM marketers call it) of the cabin and removing the rear window. A series of three removable panels provides a watertight top for the cargo bed. Additional storage is provided behind each wheelwell, accessed by locking flip-top panels and can be useful as self-draining ice chests.

The vehicle's midgate construction allows two fullsize sleeping bags to be laid out in the bed when the midgate is folded down, protecting the occupants from the weather. GM markets this sports utility as a choice for active outdoor adventurers in part due to its optional four wheel drive and Z71 off-road package.

First generation

Avalanche was launched in 2001 as a 2002 model on the GMT800 platform. First year Avalanches featured light gray plastic body cladding, intended to provide visual distinction from the Suburban/Yukon XL. Avalanche also gave the public an advance look at the next generation of front fascia designs for the entire GM line. A full-length chrome strip splits each lamp assembly and the grille, with a gold Chevrolet "bow tie" in the center. The hood and fenders featured aggressive folds, in contrast to the soft box of the other GMT800 models.

2003 models featured darker cladding, but GM's new president, Rick Wagoner, demanded deletion of this "unpopular" trim (as did certain elements of the public). From mid-year, Avalanche could be ordered without the cladding. The uncladded model, known as the Without Body Hardware (or better by its acronym "WBH"), and alternatively called "slicksides" by GM marketers, resembles the '03-'05 Silverado in the front.