2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE: UNRIVALED STYLE AND VERSATILITY

The Avalanche continues to break convention with its bold styling, Chevy-tough dependability, and the most versatility ever experienced between one set of truck bumpers.

At the core of Avalanche’s unique design is the revolutionary Convert-a-Cab System and Midgate, which provide unparalleled flexibility to quickly convert between a pickup and SUV. Avalanche can seat up to six adults comfortably, while providing ample and secure storage with dual locking storage compartments on either side of the cargo box. The compartments also have drains, so they can be filled with ice and used as coolers. A three-piece rigid cargo cover with interlocking panels is also available.

When maximum cargo capacity is needed, however, the rear passenger seat can be folded forward and the Midgate lowered to extend the standard 5-foot 3-inch (1.6-m) bed to more than 8 feet (2.5 m) – long enough to stack 4-foot by 8-foot (1.2-m by 2.4-m) panels with the liftgate closed.

Key features

Avalanche gets a number of safety, security and convenience upgrades for 2005, including the addition of GM’s OnStar safety and security system as standard equipment on all models. Avalanche comes with a one-year subscription to the OnStar Safe & Sound service plan. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt analog system and external antenna for greater reception. 

Functional upgrades for 2005 include steering wheel-mounted radio controls as standard on all models, and a driver information center, which keeps track of up to 34 system functions in English, Spanish or French. Power-adjustable pedals are now available on 1SJ, 1SK, 1SL, and 1SN equipment packages, and a Homelink Universal Transmitter with programmable garage door opener is standard on all models except the base LS.

A new option among an already extensive array of stereo systems is an AM/FM radio and CD player with a touch-screen navigation radio feature.

In the drivetrain department, a 3.42 rear axle ratio is standard equipment on all LS and LT K1500 (4WD) models. The 2500 Series will retain the 3.73 rear axle.

Among appearance changes for 2005 is a new exterior package now available on LS models, which includes chromed door handles, outside mirror caps and stainless steel step-assist steps below the doors. Both LS and LT models have slightly revised interior trim, while the LT gets revised badging. New exterior colors include Sandstone Metallic and Bermuda Blue Metallic.  

Chevy Truck power and strength

Avalanche has earned a strong reputation not only for its unique flexibility, but also for its sheer muscle and hauling capability. Standard on all 1500 models is GM’s Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 engine, which delivers 295 horsepower (220 kw) and 330 lb.-ft. of torque (446 Nm). This engine is coupled with GM’s dependable Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission.

The Avalanche 2500, available in four-wheel drive only, is powered by GM’s Vortec 8100 8.1L V-8 engine rated at 320 hp (239 kw) and 440 lb.-ft. of torque (597 Nm). Mated to GM’s heavy-duty Hydra-Matic 4L85-E four-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain combination gives Avalanche owners the capability to tow up to 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg).

Safe, stable and secure

Avalanche comes with an extensive list of active and passive safety systems, starting with standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. The Avalanche also has dual-stage frontal air bags for supplemental protection for front-seat passengers. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

Avalanche provides safety for its younger passengers, as it meets new federal seat standards for child-restraint anchorages. The Avalanche is equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats in the center and right positions of the second-row split/folding bench seat. This system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats. Only a top tether connection is available in the left position of the second-row bench seat.

GM’s innovative Hydroboost brake system provides added safety, with more reserve power assist for braking under specific conditions. The system continues to provide sufficient power assist to stop the vehicle if the engine stalls or is turned off, by using power steering fluid pressure to decrease brake pedal effort.

Avalanche's sure-footed Autotrac 4WD system is designed to increase fuel economy when operating in 2WD, as well as improve driver feel during parking and other low-speed maneuvers.

GM’s StabiliTrak system is offered with the 2WD premium on-road suspension package.

StabiliTrak assists the vehicle in maintaining the driver’s intended path by applying a brake force at any corner of the vehicle independent of the driver’s use of the brake pedal.

StabiliTrak uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake master cylinder pressure sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor as inputs to interpret the driver’s desired path and whether to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle. StabiliTrak also uses these sensors plus a lateral accelerometer and yaw rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s actual path.

If the difference between the driver’s desired path and the vehicle’s actual path becomes great enough, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to “snowplow,” or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the inside rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to fishtail, or oversteer, StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle. StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.

New family of entertainment choices

Impressive entertainment systems – including a rear-seat entertainment system with a DVD player and flip-down screen – add to Avalanche's passenger comforts. These systems feature the next-generation Radio Data System, and can interface with services such as XM Satellite Radio. Available rear-seat audio controls and a custom-designed Bose audio system with a high-powered, six-channel amplifier, six speakers and a sub-woofer, are also available.

XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only) provides more than 120 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $9.99 a month. In addition, GM customers with GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.