For the 2002 model year, GM introduced the Chevrolet Avalanche, an innovative combination of sport utility vehicle, pickup truck, and lots of plastic cladding. The truck’s mid-gate hatch was able to fold down and combine the 5-foot truck bed with the rest of the cabin, providing tons of storage space. And with the seats and mid-gate folded up, there was room for 5 passengers.
Unexpectedly, the Chevy Avalanche set a trend. The SUT recorded 93,482 sales in 2003, its third year of production. In doing so, Chevrolet and other truck makers began developing light-duty crew cab pickups. And by 2011, crew cabs accounted for more than 65 percent of light-duty pickup sales, and the conventional pickup truck became as much of a family hauler as it was a hauler of anything else. This also became the ironic undoing of the Avalanche. But at least Chevy is saying farewell in style.
The Black Diamond Avalanche may not be as epic as the Black Diamond Cadillac CTS-V, but it does feature a more flush exterior thanks to body-colored bed surrounds, unique badging, more features, and a lower price tag.
For 2013, a rear camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lamps and remote start will be added as standard equipment on LS models, while LT models have added a standard rear camera. What’s more, the base prices have been reduced $2,500 (after equipment adjustments) with the 2WD Avalanche LS now starting at $35,980, plus $995 destination.
We’re gonna miss the Avalanche. A lot.
Comments
I assume the EXT won’t see beyond the 2013 model year either?
This vehicle was misunderstood and underappreciated by almost everyone, except those fortunate to have owned one. Here’s hoping that the midgate finds its way into another GM vehicle soon. Colorado??
I can’t really be angry or sad that the Avalanche is going. That’s not to say I’m happy to see it go, far from it. It did it’s job and carved out a unique segment all to itself (and the EXT). I guess it didn’t take too many sales from the Silverado, but the midgate was the only thing that separated it from an Crewcab. Now that everyone is hesitant to drop money on things like an Avalanche when they could get a Silverado, it would seem like the natural progression of things to move to a more ordered state.
A shame the midgate technology could go for good.
Hey Graw, the Midgate will Live on…….In the EXT cause they said Nothing about Killing that Off yet, so the Midgate technology should be even Tighter since now they can Focus on the EXT only, but chk this Graw and the rest of my Authority Friends, what do think about a Powered Midgate and a Tailgate system like on the GMC Envoy XUV say on a 2013-14 Cadillac EXT????
The EXT is going away as well. Even if they aren’t saying anything yet.
Although not stated, the EXT will go too.
Again, another shame becasue I liked the EXT more than the Avalanche.
As for the XUV, even will the powered midgate, powered roof, and voodoo tailgate, I’m pretty sure the cost of the whole thing was more than what the manual midgate was in the Avalanche/EXT.
Then again, GM sold loads of GMT360’s and probably didn’t care about the money lost on an ultra-low volume Envoy varrant.
If anything, the XUV is more rare and unique than the Avalance/EXT, but I hardly know anyone who remembers it, or owned one.
To bad a neat rig wonder how long the honda ridge line will last
Funny, it almost sounds like you’re describing the Ridgeline as if it had the credentials of a real truck.
Not really, it sounds to me like hes saying that if such a great truck like the avalanche is going, than how long is the crappy ridgeline going to last.
As long as Honda continues to do everything wrong.
The ridgeline is nothing but an avalanche wannabe
man i LOVED the GMT900 Avalanche! if it wasn’t for my wanting something that could easily carry 6+ people. that would have been my current family ride. i assume this means the Escalade EXT is going too? i guess there’s yet another car that will be on my “one to buy low mileage and used” list.
I have the same feelings as GrawDaddy. I won’t miss it, having never owned nor needed one, but it was a pretty cool truck.
I might add, if they bring it back, just name it the Suburban EXT or even the Silverado Midgate. Avalanche wasn’t a bad name, but just to simplify the lineup.
Yea like Cadillac called it the Escalade EXT instead of a new name, the Silverado midgate, would be an excellent name, not only would be highlighting its main feature which alot of believe people are suprisingly unaware of, but also increasing sales and resale value by being attached to such a reputable and popular name, not to mention the added simplicity.
If I had even the slightest need for this truck, I would definately own it. Its too bad such a great feature is going to die off.
My take is that the Price Point was too Damn High, I do like the truck cause it is still innovative, but I Love the Cadillac EXT and instead of it it going away they can now improve on it even more. Just found that, like the Volt, a Chevy Price point should not be that High, that’s why you have Cadillac. The EXT and the new ELR should have came out first because it’s way easier to absorb and recoup your R&D cost through Cadillac and then you can Trickle it down to the rest of your Car, Truck, SUV and Crossover Line, but, I still prefer the New Regime vs the Old cause they Don’t Panic about Market Share at all an Stay the course on Producing Great, Safe and Techy Vehicles, but you guys know that the Large Pick-Ups and SUVs could do with a Killer Interior Face lift and Tech, also a Hell of a Separation in Styling from GMC and Chevy, and Hope it’s coming Real Soon(Like Yesterday :)). By in Large though, I really do Like All the Comments on Here, be it on the Fringe or Real opinions and Hope someone at GM is Actually Reading them!! To all my Brothers and Sister out there who Bleed GM…….Stay Focused and Keep Posting your Comments on GM Authority…….Peace! 🙂
There is no way the Cadillac EXT continues, at least in it’s present form. Both are built in Siloa and Avalanche was the bulk of production, With a new GM truck lineup coming that would mean GM would have to design a new EXT on it to sell 2,000 EXTs a year. Even if devoted Avalanche buyers decide to pony-up the extra $ to buy the Caddy, maybe EXT sales triple to 6,000? Not happening. When Avalanche dies, so does EXT. They announced the Avalanche early to give it a fairwell tour and start the process of moving buyers to the all-new 2014 Sliverado Crew Cab. Caddy doesn’t have a truck and has way fewer EXT owners, so they’ll ride the EXT a bit longer before announcing.
i have 2010 Chevy Avalanche and i think it is really amazing truck and suv
good bye avalanch. you will be missed
I own a EXT and had a prior 04′ also…before getting the 07′ I looked and drove an avalanche…NO hard feelings Chevy owners but it “ain’t no caddy” Sure the EXT was more $$ but worth every penny..love the truck. My stays garaged mostly, and now the 07 has 28K on it and Im ready to sell…anyone want a mint Black on Black EXT! I’ll miss the EXT it set a standard all it’s own!
One of the best trucks ever owned, you will never be able to appreciate an Avalanche unless you have driven or owned one, with 4 of them in my company fleet, it looks like I will be driving them into the ground, there is nothing on the market that has so much versatility.
A 07′ and 11″ Avalanche owner, the truck is a dream in comparison to other full size trucks (2011 chevy 2500HD owner as well). I will be sorry to see it go frankly and wonder has anyone heard news of a replacement type vehicle coming by CHEVY. The Avalanche offers great room and a comfortable ride. Always thought the 5.3L
was just a tad small but moves the vehicle on flat land (not towing) decently. I really have enjoyed mine.
This truck will be missed, I just bought a 2008 ltz a couple years ago and I love this truck and was planning on being an avalanche owner for life, 🙁 best truck ever.
Always had GM trucks, really thinking of buying a 2013 Avalanche LTZ . Love the style. Do you think it is a good plan even though they will be discontinued?
I love avalanche for my wife