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Avalanche Reviewed In Consumer Reports!!

The article was titled "Family-friendly pickups"
Trucks compared: Chevrolet Avalanche, Ford F-150 Supercrew, Dodge Ram Quad Cab. ?They felt these 3 represented the latest in pickup design. ?

Recommendations:
"The compliant ride, sturdy structure, versatile midgate, strong powertrain, and selectable full time 4WD system make the Avalanche our top rated pickup. ?Taking advantage of the truck's versatility, however, can be a fussy multistep process, and folding the midgate essentially turns the truck into a 2 seater (see page 65). ?In addition, handling can get sloppy at the limits, and fit and finish are not impressive. ?Finally, while the Avalanche is too ne for us to have reliability data, its GM cousins have held up poorly, so we aren't recommending it at this time."

"The Ford F-150 Supercrew is a good truck, but the model is showing its age. ?(A redesign is due next year.) It lacks agility, has an uncomfortable ride, and is not very quiet. ?Reliability has been average, but a poor offset-crash-result prevents our recommending it."

"The Dodge Ram was redesigned for 2002, but improvements are too modest to keep pace with current competition. ?The ride is stiff and jittery, the cabin is noisy, the rear seat is tight, and fuel economy is the worst of a bad lot. ?Braking and handling also fall short. ?The redesigned Ram is too new to gauge reliability." ?

Overall Ratings 4WD pickup trucks

1st Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 "Excellent"
2nd Toyota Tundra SR5 4.7 "Very Good"
3rd Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS "Very Good"
4th Dodge Dakota SLT Crew Cab "Good"
5th Ford F-150 5.4 XLT Supercrew "Good"
6th Dodge Ram 1500 SLT "Fair"
 
This makes me feel even better about my choice of an Avalanche. Consumer Reports does try to tear anything up they test. And then they just report how they see it perform!

 
IMO, this positive report from CR is nothing short of amazing, and is a tribute to how good the Av really is. ?Unless CR has changed their anti-American, Anti-GM, pro-foreign, anti gas-guzzler, pro environmantal, pro-safety at all expense stance (which I doubt); I'm sure that they squirmed and squirmed trying to find something wrong with the Av. ?If critizing the midgate as "a fussy multistep process" is as good as they could do I give the kudos to Chevy! ?GO GM!

Me biased? ?;D Nah . . . .
 
The Driving Experiences:

"With its superior ride, quiet cabin, and added versatility, the Avalanche scored the highest of any pickup we've tested recently. ?The folding midgate gives this model flexible cargo-carrying ability. ?However, removing the rear window is time consuming and extending the cargo bed turns the truck into a two-seater.

The Avalanche sails smoothly on the highway and muffles out ridges and bumps on secondary roads. ?It also steers responsively for its heft. ?All three trucks in the group have a wide turning circle, which hurts parking maneuverability. ?When pushed beyond its handling limits in our double-lane-change emergency maneuver, the Avalanche tended to slide out in the rear, attaining the lowest maximum speed of the group.

The 285-hp, 5.3-liter V8 delivers smooth and effortless acceleration, but fuel economy was a paltry 13 mpg overall on regular fuel. ?It easily pulled a 6,150-pound trailer up to 60 mph in 20.7 seconds, the quickest here. ?The four-speed automatic shifts flawlessly. ?The Avalanche performed superbly on our challenging off-road and steep rock-hill courses. ?Braking performance was fairly good, but the pedal felt spongy."

"The F-150 SuperCrew has a large and versatile cab but feels ungainly and uncomfortable compared with the newer trucks. ?The powertrain performs well although it isn't as smooth and quiet as the Chevy's. ?Reliability is average. ?A poor offset crash test result however, keeps us from recommending it.

The ride is firm and jiggly, and the body bounds up and down even on smooth highways. ?Plenty of wind and road noise enter the cabin. ?The F-150 steers rather ponderously and is hard to park. ?It remained safe and predictable even when pushed beyond its admittedly low handling limits, and secure while negotiating our avoidance-manuever course.

The optional 260-hp, 5.4-liter V8 delivers lively accelaration. ?The four-speed automatic doesn't shift quite as smoothly as the others in the group. ?Expect just 14 mpg overall on regular fuel. ?The part-time 4WD system should not be used on dry pavement. ?

The F-150 tackled our off-road course and rock hill very competently. ?It easily pulled a 6,150-pound trailer to 60 mph in 22.3 seconds. ?Braking performance was adequate but stops were a little long."

"While the new Ram 1500 SLT is better than the old one, it breaks no new ground. ?By contemporary standards it has a punishing ride, noisy cabin, and tight rear seat. ?It's tough to climb in or out, and the V8 gulps fuel without delivering much performance. ?Its 75-inch bed length, however, is about 9 inches longer than the F-150's and 14 inches longer than the Avalanche's (with the midgate closed).

The Ram rides stiffly and busily on just about all roads. ?The rear hops sideways on sharp bumps. ?Rough roads constantly jolt the occupants, and the cabin suffers from wind and road noise.

On the whole, handling is clumsy. ?The steering feels quick at first but then becomes vague and light. ?The Ram proved ungainly but secure enough when pushed to its cornering limits. ?Its sheer bulk made the truck hard to coax through our avoidance-maneuver-course.

The 240-hp, 4.7-liter was easily the slowest and thirstiest of the group, with a wretched 12 mpg overall on regular fuel. ?The four speed automatic shifts smoothl. ?The 4WD system is part time only. ?The Ram performed competently on our off road and rock-hill courses, and took 24.7 seconds to pull a 6,150-pound trailer to 60 mph --slowest of the group. ?Braking performance was no more than adequate, with long stops on wet pavement."

Gotta love the opinions of CR... :rolleyes: ?
 
The window/midgate transformation is "fussy" as compared to what?! Just because the other trucks in the competition DON'T EVEN HAVE A MIDGATE, you can't fairly penalize the one truck that does! There's no basis for comparison! Sure it's "fussy" compared to the Ford's midgate... you know why? BECUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ONE!! Sure, the new Expedition has power folding seats, but lets see it carry a washer and a fridge (upright) in one load! ;D

Sheesh.
 
It's nice to see Consumer Reports say some nice things about the Av but I sure don't know how they came up with;

"Taking advantage of the truck's versatility, however, can be a fussy multistep process".

The only thing I can think of is that they had a hard time getting the hard panels into the storage bag! >:D I don't know how anyone could think that the 60 seconds or so that it takes to fold the seats down and drop the midgate is "fussy".
 
As was stated previously, it is amazing that CR had anything nice to say about the AV or any Chevrolet ???. I often wondered if CR was owned by an Asian company. Their reviews always contended that U.S. automakers produced nothing but inferior junk. The way they raved about Hondas and Toyotas, you would think their dealerships wouldn't even need a service dept. because Hondas and Toyotas never, ever need repair. Baaaahhhh :D:

Truckman :B:
 
Glad to see they relize this. The only problem is, they are behind the times. Its just like most schoolbooks......you have companies out there creating policies and new ideas, then the books get printed teaching this stuff in schools....by then the companies are doing something new and better....I DIGRESS

Glad to see the behind the times Consumer Reports finally realize something that we have known for a while. Wake up Consumer Reports People, get with the program.

Blah

Wiki
 
It's about time!

I'm not too fond of some of GM's small cars, and I'm at odds with the whole dissapearance of the F body, but they do make the best trucks & SUV's. :B:
 
GM has made HUGE strides over the last decade. My Avalanche is squeak, rattle, and leak free after a year on the road. The Vortec engines are best in class and the L-460 transmission, as well as the Autotrac transfer cases are a work of art. The Suburban based platforms are tried and true, and the improvements made in the 2003 model year will only make them better.

I'd be forgiving of the General for the Trailblazer and it's siblings. They are first model year vehicles across the board - with exception to Autotrac and the L-460. There is going to be bugs.

Interesting also was the Camry slipping in quality. The massive problems with the Toyota 3.0 Liter V-6 must be catching up with them - Toyota can only block and deny that problem for so long before it will bite them in the rear end. I've had the Altima as a rental several times and I wasn't terribly impressed.

Of course Ford continues to bleed and the flagging Taurus is the only bright spot in the line up. The General has absolutely got the magic going.
 
Ambalanche said:
Well, Well, Well, Consumer Reports is now recommending all the GM full size trucks!
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...in other news, the temperature in hell dipped below 32 degrees today, solidifying lava flows and frosting Satan's minions. ;)
 
Bummer :6: I see it as a bad thing. That means there are a lot of yuppies and soccor moms out there who live and breath by what CR writes. So it will only be a matter of time before they start flooding the market with people buy AVs without ever intending to mod them nor really use them in any of the unique ways the AV was meant to be used. :6:
 
Chief said:
GM has made HUGE strides over the last decade. ?My Avalanche is squeak, rattle, and leak free after a year on the road. ?The Vortec engines are best in class and the L-460 transmission, as well as the Autotrac transfer cases are a work of art. ?The Suburban based platforms are tried and true, and the improvements made in the 2003 model year will only make them better.

I'd be forgiving of the General for the Trailblazer and it's siblings. ?They are first model year vehicles across the board - with exception to Autotrac and the L-460. ?There is going to be bugs.

Interesting also was the Camry slipping in quality. ?The massive problems with the Toyota 3.0 Liter V-6 must be catching up with them - Toyota can only block and deny that problem for so long before it will bite them in the rear end. ?I've had the Altima as a rental several times and I wasn't terribly impressed.

Of course Ford continues to bleed and the flagging Taurus is the only bright spot in the line up. ?The General has absolutely got the magic going.
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I agree with all you said, It's just that CR is so totally biased that I was actually shocked that they would actually recommend the Avalanche and the other GM trucks after always saying they were poor quality and unreliable. I don't subscribe to CR and never will, I believe they "fix" many of their tests to match their own prejudices. Look at all the rollovers that they claim to have but no one else can match. With all GM has coming down the pike in the next few years, Maybe they will have no choice but to be new converts!
 
pdxkevin said:
Bummer ?:6: I see it as a bad thing. ?That means there are a lot of yuppies and soccor moms out there who live and breath by what CR writes. So it will only be a matter of time before they start flooding the market with people buy AVs without ever intending to mod them nor really use them in any of the unique ways the AV was meant to be used. ?:6:
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Hey, lighten the load! I haven't modded mine either! :cry: I also think that if it helps get more on the road it's a good thing, that means GM will spend to keep the AV around for the next generation version! :B:
 
It's true, it's too bad they didn't think to ask the members of this site.....on their opinions...I'm just glad to see the overall concensus change in our favor...GM is without a doubt leading the way in this segment.... :B:
 
This world would be a boring place if everyone agreed on everything....Avrunner... :B: ;D
 
I thought CR only liked toasters with 4 coasters for wheels. :p

Then again it was the results of the owner surveys that gave GM the high marks not CR. :B: They just report the data. I had a subscription to their mag for a few years and they sent me the survey every year. That?s good new for GM. While GM may not always be on the bleeding edge of technology, they do a great job of constantly refining and improving their products.
 
Avrunner said:
Its about time. Actually, I'm kind of dissapointed. I was kind of enjoying the fact that some people are stupid. :p
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There's probably a line of thousands right behind 'em to take their place!!! After all Dodge is still selling trucks.

:B: :B: :B: :B:
 
It's nice to finally see CR say something good about full size GM trucks. They still couldn't resist a shot at the '99 models though.
 
I have been buying Gm products all my life and my father did the same. Others come and go with new ideas but in the end it has allways been Chevy trucks number one. My bride drives a 2001 Tahoe and myself the 2002 Av. These are by far the best of anything else on the road. Keep up the great club we have guys.MOD ON!!!!!!!!!
 
I think that Ihave the acutal issue of CR at the house, I will try to find it and post the juicy parts of the article (y)
 
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