It’s not often that an automaker improves a particular model and then drops the price. Chevrolet is offering its popular, versatile and revamped 2007 Avalanche, which you can call either an SUV or pickup truck, for $2,000 less than last year.

Chevrolet prefers to call the Avalanche a UUV or Ultimate Utility Vehicle but with the Mid-gate up, the Avalanche feels like an SUV - and it is built on General Motors’ new SUV platform. With the Mid-gate down and the second-row seats folded, the 5-foot, 3-inch pickup bed expands to 8.2 feet and can haul 4X8 feet sheets of plywood with the tailgate closed, although the rear is open to the air.

There are three models LS, LT (our test drive) and LTZ in either 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive. Our 4WD model used a 5.3 liter V-8 engine with active fuel management that switches from eight cylinders to four cylinders when extra power isn’t needed to help conserve fuel.  The Avalanche also uses E85 Ethanol and is classified as a “flexfuel” vehicle. Using E85, a renewal fuel resource that burns cleaner than gasoline, can decrease fuel mileage. Using E85, combined mileage was never better than 16 mpg. 

Our test-drive was fully loaded, with a $3,650 LT3 Equipment group package that included leather and articulated front seats, a remote vehicle starter key, and among other amenities, a 360-degree safety canopy that includes roof-mounted head curtains that deploy when sensors detect an imminent rollover and stay inflated longer because rollovers often last longer that other type crashes. A Navigation system, sunroof, rear entertainment screen and other goodies pushed our final price tag to $45,760 but raised the comfort level considerably.

The cabin is spacious and slightly enlarged this year, with a large center storage console, larger glove box and improved air conditioning system. With the Mid-gate up, the trip is very quiet for a truck (or SUV), and the fully boxed frame, resting on a coil over-shock front suspension, rides smoothly and handles responsibly, with a 52/48 weight distribution unloaded and a wider track this year.

The profile is muscular, agile and rugged with the more sharply raked windshield and smoother roofline helping improve airflow at higher speeds. A monochromatic design (there are nine color choices) is offset with a large gold Chevy bowtie in front between a pair of horizontal grilles. Neat features include lock-down, drainable 3.5 cubic feet storage boxes in the side truck bed and articulated running boards that move outward and downward when the doors are opened.