Sierra Vs. Avalanche

[IanM]

I have been comparing the GMC Sierra 1500 to the Chevrolet Avalanche (Model year 2007). I have test driven both and looked at a number of them. I like the Sierra, although I also quite like the idea of the Avalanches mid-gate. I am aware that the Avalanche is shorter and the bed may not always be completely waterproof. I have no real use for the bed, so the cover on the Avalanche would keep general items dry and safe, although I could also put a cover on the Sierra's bed.

 

I was wondering if anyone had any imput to help in my decision?

[jro909]

sierra would be my pick..avalanches are plagued with leaky beds, fadeing plastic bits..but then again i'm biased because i love having a bed that can fit more then a casket

[tonygxp]

why not a Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon, etc.? sounds like you don't care to have a bed?

[IanM]

why not a Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon, etc.? sounds like you don't care to have a bed?

 

I had an SUV prior and quite like the idea of a truck. I looked at one Avalanche and under the backseats where the mid-gate folds down there was a bit of frozen water. Does the mid-gate leak into the passenger compartment?

[jro909]

it can yes, along with the panels over the bed and rear window

[old-chevy-dude]

why not a Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon, etc.? sounds like you don't care to have a bed?

 

I had an SUV prior and quite like the idea of a truck. I looked at one Avalanche and under the backseats where the mid-gate folds down there was a bit of frozen water. Does the mid-gate leak into the passenger compartment?

 

 

 

i've heard people on the Avalanche forums say this.. mostly it appears to be on the 2002-2006 models., I haven't read about it being an issue on the GMT900 (2007 - current) models.

[foghorn23]

"Never buy an Avalanche to do a Sierra's job."

[oldmann]

Avalanche comes off as a little arrogant here. Kinda like a lincoln truck. They may be ok anywhere else. Lots of cool features that's for sure!

[gsx2004]

I recently got rid of my avalanche and moved to a sierra. There are many pro's and cons of an avalanche, and 98% of my driving is without anything in my bed, usually in the city. Some things to think about,

 

1. the avalanche bed is almost useles due to its size.

2. you cannot put the midgate down and leave the truck in a parking lot as yout cab is now exposed.

3. the water issue is true, they leak (even after replacements caps i had got)

4. the pastic fades (had plastics painted)

5. rides like an suv which is not a bad thing but I prefer the truck feel

6. your friends make fun of you that its not a real truck

[jdubub]

SIERRA

[old-chevy-dude]

I recently got rid of my avalanche and moved to a sierra. There are many pro's and cons of an avalanche, and 98% of my driving is without anything in my bed, usually in the city. Some things to think about,

 

1. the avalanche bed is almost useles due to its size.

2. you cannot put the midgate down and leave the truck in a parking lot as yout cab is now exposed.

3. the water issue is true, they leak (even after replacements caps i had got)

4. the pastic fades (had plastics painted)

5. rides like an suv which is not a bad thing but I prefer the truck feel

6. your friends make fun of you that its not a real truck

 

 

guess it all depends on where you are and what your needs are..

 

 

1. the Avalanche bed is a good size for someone that doesn't need it all the time.. so far I have used mine for transporting a sofa, refrigerator, entertainment center, 40" flat screen and a 7 foot xmas tree. no not all at the same time, but I was able to get the flat screen and sofa in there together without lowering the midgate (but used the bed extender.

 

2. yes you can put the mid-gate down if you only lower the gate part and not the window part, all depends on what you have in the bed..

 

3. thus far mine hasn't leaked so no comment.

 

4. there are fixes for the fading, it happens on all vehicles with this type (and amount) of plastic cladding, it's not unique to the avalanche, my 2001 Impala with the stupid plastic door trim crap had the same issue.

 

5. the ride is very comfortable, I agree.. personally I don't need to feel like I'm in a truck for my daily driver.

 

6. guess you need new friends, the people I work with and my friends think the idea is outstanding and that the truck is very nice and clean looking, I have yet to hear a negative comment about it since I purchased it.

 

 

 

That being said.. If i had the need for a truck more than 80% of the time, Sierra hands down.. since I don't and only use the truck part about 30% of the time, and my purchase was for the express reason of using it for camping and the like, the Avalanche suits me just fine.

[tonygxp]

my envoy XUV was a great truck. much more useful than an avalanche. GM should've used that concept in a tahoe configuration.

 

with power midgate window, power rear window and power retractable roof it did way more than an avalanche. you could easily power down the midgate glass and rear glass with the touch of a finger to haul long items over the midgate, still have the midgate down and cab secure by closing the roof and back window, etc.. hauled 4'x5'x6' shower unit, 13'x15' carpet, etc. load floor was 8'6" with both gates down, was awesome.

 

at 208" long it's only 11" shorter than a suburban, a suburban with this setup would've been great.

[Stevens03]

The XUV was just ugly... And from the look of it, without the tailgate, it looks like it would have been completely useless

[IanM]

my envoy XUV was a great truck. much more useful than an avalanche. GM should've used that concept in a tahoe configuration.

 

with power midgate window, power rear window and power retractable roof it did way more than an avalanche. you could easily power down the midgate glass and rear glass with the touch of a finger to haul long items over the midgate, still have the midgate down and cab secure by closing the roof and back window, etc.. hauled 4'x5'x6' shower unit, 13'x15' carpet, etc. load floor was 8'6" with both gates down, was awesome.

 

at 208" long it's only 11" shorter than a suburban, a suburban with this setup would've been great.

 

I did not know of the Enjoy XUV before your post. It is very interesting, I watched a video review of it.

 

The Avalanche configuration is very similar to the above as the passenger compartment is exposed to the elements with the mid-gate down, although you can have the glass roof down with the mid-gate and glass in place. I was thinking with the Avalanche you can have the mid-gate down with the window in place, than the passenger compartment is not exposed to the elements, apart from the water leaking through the various points, than entering through the mid-gate.

[IanM]