2002 Chevy Avalanche and '02 Best Truck Award | Retro Review
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Once you get the plastic looking good these trucks still make a pretty eye catching daily driver.
Show 2039 | Original Airdate 6-2-2001
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Post the reviews for that Axiom and the Liberty please
@@NEONPARADlSE you rock!
Just sent $25 your way. I know it's not a lot, but I hope it helps keep the Retro Reviews going strong. Looking forward to the livestream on April 3rd!
@@jonathankleinow2073 huge help! Thanks very much! The upcoming stream will be a good one!
After this the parking lots of Outback Steakhouse were never the same
Haha so true
Don't forget the yellow Hummer H2
this channel deserves a medal alone for uploading its best retro videos after the horrid youtube 240p era!
Crazy the difference between 240p and 480p lol
@@maxboya 4 times as many pixels
I still remember when my parents bought theirs. I was 7. I loved all the features it had and and I'm glad they sold it to me. The Truck has been my best friend as a kid and still is today
I'm really surprised that this truck didn't last longer in production. It was so innovative and ahead of its time. Stylish looks, and great functionality.
Wasnt cheap enough to deter people from a Silverado
Billy Ray reminds me of the Escalade EXT with that body style tbh
@@shadowaudi497 i think they were both the same body just rebadged
It lasted 11 years
most folks at the time hated the plastic cladding so they quickly came out with a redesigned version that looked identical to the Silverado. The usefulness got lost in the lineup it would seem.
These are great and the fact that the 2500 model came with a 8.1 liter v8 is crazy!
That's insane! Imagine if chevy lowered em and added a 6 speed manual....
prices on used 2500 8.1L avalanches are crazy.
That probably got about 10mpg...downhill 😂.
I remember those big boys!!
@@Tankerpaul223 I’ve driven two 8.1L trucks a suburban and a Silverado with it and both get the same MPG as the 6.0L towing.
Never gave the Avalanche a second look, but they're everywhere down here in GA. I must say, that convertible cab is pretty cool!
It's the only truck ever made with this feature. I love my 04! 245k and still going strong!
@@bradleymenezes6196 actually, the GMC envoy XUV and the hummer H2 SUT both have this mid gate converticab feature
@@stefanb5266 yeah but the avalanches feature is by far more versatile. Turns into over an 8 foot bed, and more storage space
@@stefanb5266 the offered a caddi version as well
Grew up a ford Guyana have never been a fan of any chevrolet but I inherited my wife's dads 02 and I have to say that avalanche is one of the best trucks I've owned. If you can get past the leaks from that convertible bed then that thing is extremely capable and I've honestly enjoyed it more then my 80s and early 90s f150s. I won't need another truck owning this one. Its also plenty comfortable I've drove that thing across 4 states and they've had that thing from Cali to Georgia 4 times
I remember the joke back in the day was that GM made a deal with rubber maid to make these lol
😆
Lol makes sense
My late father used that joke every time we passed one as a kid lolol
And that rubber always faded
@@pwrfl2357 Same here but have a 99 SS Camaro and has the SLP center exhaust the the rear plastic lip piece is faded like hell just like my brothers Avalanche. Gotta love the older GM plastics and clear coat material.
I just bought an old Chevrolet Avalanche 2004. And I have a lot to do! Good luck with everything! Greetings from Russia!
I had no idea about the Avalanche and, watching this video more than a year and a half later, I have to say it: why the heck aren't all Pick-Ups like this? Having a (relatively) small Pick-Up with a standard bed that can be expanded from the inside to be as large as a usual long bed of a Full-Size Pick-Up is a great solution. You don't have to do with a long bed which actually diminishes in-town agility and off-road breakover and departure angles.
Wish all Pick-Ups had this design. Heavy-Duty-frame-equipped or not, it is truly multipurpose.
LoL, so weird to hear them refer to the Avalanche as a "crossover"
I was waiting to see this comment lol
It’s depressing watching this today, because I remember watching this my sophomore year in high school and me and my dad wanting one of these, and even went to the dealership, but came back with a WS6 instead.
Looks like you have a cool dad. 😉
You came back with the right vehicle.
Nice the WS6 Trans AM is a classic but this truck was ahead of its time and it still looks great today
I was a Freshman in HS back in 04 and my best friends Family bought a brand new 04 Avalanche. It was the Colorado Avalanche hockey team edition. I really liked that truck. I hope you guys still have the WS6.
Ur dad made the right choice hahaha
2002 is retro?!
Damn, I'm old!
Felt the same. I guess it's as almost as far back to '02 to when MW started in '82. Depressing..
Original air date: June 2, 2001
@@jmin8400 Oh wow..it'll be 20 years in a few months. 9/11 will be 20 years too. Life really does speed up when you get older.
Yes
@@HowardDaduk Very, very true.
My grandpa had one of these for ~15 years before he got a 2017 silverado. I don't think I can remember a time before he had this truck and it'll always have a place in my heart.
Interesting to see how the term 'Crossover' has changed, I only see it referring to small SUVs now.
Well it kind of is a crossover, it's a mix of Truck ruggedness and hauling capabilities, the comfort of an SUV or Car, and modern, less utility looks. When it's not covered in faded plastic and rusty body panels like I commonly see them now, it actually looks like a fresh and modern car, not too dated for a truck that's almost as old as me (Born in 2001)
I always thought crossovers were suvs that are like minivans but with no sliding doors, three rows and not so spacious inside. Such as Chevrolet Traverse. Tye term for a suv that’s like a minivan but isn’t.
@@coastaku1954 I still see the 1st gen Avalanche trucks here in the Ohio Valley to this day. Most are in great condition. I'm glad so many people take pride in keeping these rigs clean and pristine.
Body Cladding!! The Aztec’s daddy!
lmaoo this was the trend Which has recently returned, the jeep liberty had it, dodge nitro, Do US auto makers held onto this for dear life including Ford. during the early 2000s
It even has an optional tent!
@@apexgt4 lmao the tent was dope af
The body cladding prevented door dings. I like it.
@@Dave-sw2dm ehh Slight door ding looks better than that badly aging cladding, Also after market and some dealers have the option for the door guards, you know that slim trim... and it's the fact that there's so much of the cladding it ages extremely poor, I'm talking in general we haven't even gotten into talking about folks in the snow belt
With all this body cladding this was basically a more successful Pontiac Aztek in truck form.
... Or a more successful Silverado in Aztec clothing...
That was my thought too
The Aztec was front wheel drive though.
@@beezertwelvewashingbeard8703 I think it had All wheel drive the Buick Rendezvous did with Versatrak AWD.
The Avalanche reminds me of a Silverado crew cab with a mullet
LOL 🤣
Yes, don't forget the very rare C-AWJ Option on the build sheet. It stands for "Acid Wash Jeans" lol
Pontiac Aztec with a bed.
My dad is driving this generation of Avalanche. It’s been pretty reliable and has accumulated over 300,000 miles (~480,000 km).
I have a 2002 I love it. Best truck ever. It's a Z66 and it still handles quite well, hauls and tows like a beast
The towing was a surprise
Have owned 2 Avi’s. An 03 and currently a 09 and have been the best vehicles I’ve ever owned.I hear from people that it’s not a “real truck” not until you show off the features and slide in a full 4x8 sheet of drywall and close the tailgate.Some of the reactions are priceless.
How's the reliability? Specifically the transmission and cooling system? I've been thinking about picking one up but those two areas always worry me with GM.
@@BigWheel. my 2009 has just over 230000 km (142000 miles) and honestly there has never been any mechanical issues.I recently did the transmission oil and changed all the brakes.I’ve just looked after the typical maintenance basics and the truck has been phenomenal in what I’ve been able to do with it.
Mine in particular is the LTZ so it’s the full load of goodies also including the Z55 autoride which the rear shocks are air compressed to level the truck when there’s payload or tongue weight from a hitch.It literally rides like a Cadillac if that’s your thing.
Look after it and it will definitely look after you.
@@danvossler4300 My buds 2008 Suburban LT with the V8 5.3 Vortec has over 300000. It's the one with the Flex-Fuel.
Also, go on Facebook and search for Suburban Nation, there are ones on there showing all the GMC/Chevy trucks , regardless of what year, rakin' up over 400000 miles and up!
Good friend of mine bought the redesigned one new in late 2006. Used for his concrete polishing/staining business every day and still has it. Drove the original 5.3 to well over 300,000 miles and then dropped in the externally identical 6.0
WHEN THIS TRUCK FIRST CAME OUT IN 2002 AND I FIRST SAW IT I COULDNT BELIEVE HOW HUGE IT WAS, IT WAS THE BIGGEST TRUCK I EVER SEEN! I LOVED IT
2:30 The lockable storage areas along the bedside panels are perfect for storing quart tubs of cottage cheese.
Yes it will keep it safe when you loose it all
This was such a great truck. I had two. It was so incredibly convenient being able to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood with the bed closed in such a small package. I could park the thing at my local grocery store, which I certainly wouldn't be able to do with anything else with 8 feet of bed. The cushy ride was also fantastic. Made long road trips fly by in comfort. Shame they killed it, a new one based on the current burbie with the 3.0 duramax would be a killer package.
I owned one of these and must say it was one of the most capable, useful, functional vehicles on the market. And it had a very supple ride owing to the suburban underpinnings.
They drove like a boss on the highway!
That's mid-gate was pretty genius
20 years on and I still want one of these
Love my 02 Avy had it for 10 years (im 27) - coilover conversion, move bumper 4l80e swap and prepping to drop in a turbo 363 stroker in the next month. Gunning for 650hp
My high school girlfriend’s family had one of these with the big block. I was really excited when they let me drive it
That was a 2500 edition 8 lug those were rare they had 6.0 liters or it was a 502 cubic inch engine.
@@jakey20022 it was the 8.1 gas engine
I remember living in Laurel, MD in an condominium neighborhood as a kid. A neighbor use to drive one and I would always see it in the parking lot in front of my condo. I always liked how the Avalanche looked, I even had a toy version of it from Matchbox (I may even still have it, if I can ever find it).
You still see a lot of these on the road with over 300k miles good built trucks along with the suburbans Tahoe and silverado from the early 2000s
The electrical was shit but the mechanical was pretty decent, and also the fit and finish was pretty awful with the interior
What was wrong with the electrical? I have an ‘05 Silverado 5.3 and in 260,000 miles I’ve only replaced the water pump and gauge stepper motors. I bought it in 2007 and outside of normal maintenance I’ve put less than $250 in it
The antitheft is wired up pretty damn weird, the gauge is tinted them or go bad in some capacity, and also the door/window switches tend to burn out or fail You may have gotten a decent one but I've seen these issues
I've owned my Avalanche 2500 since new and haven't had one electrical issue besides the Dome like going out last week
@@JDMHaze electrical problems are quite rare in GM vehicles I've owned 5 GM vehicles and never had electrical problems. Electrical problems are more of a Chrysler vehicles problems
I'm honestly surprised these weren't the most popular truck ever. Seems like exactly what most truck buyers actually want-- a bed (that can be expanded beyond a laughable 5.5'), some passenger space, good road manners, and some luxuries thrown in.
11:37. I remember for this exact reason Chevy was advertising these as an SUV as well, on their website it was under the pick up truck category and also the SUV category...
it was a smart truck but they should have kept advancing it, seeing where the truck market is now with the raptor but fuel prices and everything else that happened the appetite for these trucks weren't there
@@grahammizzi4368 truck had promise
@@JDMHaze it really did, I saw one on the road today in red haha
@@JDMHaze I wonder if its a safety issue for the bed in modern trucks not being able have the seats fold down to expand the bed of the truck
When i first saw one, i was like "oh look, an Aztek and a Silverado had a baby"
But man, this thing grew on me so fast. It's a design classic, and you can recognize them from a mile distance.
I still have my Victory Red 02 Avalanche Z71 as pictured that I bought new in late 01. 20 years and I still love it.
@@Bada_Boom78 No, mine doesn't.
The Avalanche was an amazing truck for its time
I feel that the Avalanche should have released as the Pontiac Aztek, it basically does all what the Aztek wanted to be a lot better.
Also, a Pontiac truck would have been cool AF
The innovation of the Avalanche was wayy ahead its time. I really thought GM was on to something with the "Midgate" system of the Avalanche/HUMMER SUT(even had a powered rear window)/Caddy EXT. Then the storage boxes that Ram implemented with Rambo. These were comfortable too, being Suburban/Tahoe based. It just seems like GM is taking a rear seat to Ram and Ford these days in terms of class exclusive innovation.
My best friends dad has 2003 blue avalanche. So many good times and memories. Still going strong! Back when gm was like a rock. Old blue still get the job done!
My 2002 Z71 is my Chevy, best 1500 I’ve ever owned in my 40 years of driving PU trucks!
I had an 02 Avalanche for over 10 yrs. I loved it every day. Very versatile. I traveled a lot with it. A great vehicle to have.
As a former cateye owner (miss that thing every day) I SERIOUSLY regret never giving the avalanche a look when I was browsing for my first truck, I never realized how versatile they where and I would have rocked one in highschool🤘🏻
I have an 02 North Face with 145k on it. This is my 2nd Avalanche. I wish they were still in production.
My parents still have their 2003 Avalanche as it has treated them that well. I still think in today's truck market, the Avalanche would be the perfect choice for the average half ton crew cab truck buyer, especially if it were based on the new T1 platform independent rear suspension Suburban. It's a bit shorter than a Silverado, but can have a usable long bed thanks to the mid-gate, which also allows you to get almost Jeep-like convertible driving if you fold down everything (combined with the sunroof). The bedside storage bins are super handy, too, and even after 18 years the three piece tonneau cover on my parents' '03 still doesn't leak. My bet is the Avalanche will come back on the Hummer EV platform in a few years as a more affordable offering, though, given the direction GM is going.
Bought one last year with 194000 miles.
Drove from Chicago to Durango Mexico almost 30 Hours and no problem
Avalanche is the best crossover vehicle and perfect for traveling.
Definitely deserves another chance.
So how many of you were wiping at the spot in the centre of the screen?
😂
Had this vehicle. Loved it! Did everything my F150 did.
My aunt had a 2003 one with offroad gear, she was going to offroad with my uncle, but they only had a 2001 Taurus, they got enough money for the 2003 Chevorlet Avalanche. They still have it to this day.
Saturn Vue mini ute, Ford Explorer with a new V8 and my dream truck (replacing the full size Blazer two dour), the Avalanche are three perfect examples of where the market was two decades ago. A legacy of Firestone flipping, GM misappropriation and plastic not so fantastic body cladding that quickly greyed any esteem for quirky utility meant we lost some special vehicles, and ourselves along the way. Of course, we can also blame the appliance peddlers at Consumer Reports, but the automobile is no longer a symbol of freedom and independence, it's a pretty silver tool for getting from A to B whenever Americans can't shop for entertainment in their virtual reality. Welcome to the new normal. At least they still let us drive on public roads... for now.
That beautiful Axiom 😍. I miss Isuzu.
You miss Isuzu? Get help, please
@@alexsurber7057 I'll take an Isuzu or Suzuki over a Honda or Toyota all day.
I’d take it over Toyota definitely. It still looks good today and I’m sure it does better in a crash test than a Toyota. Y’all remember the Isuzu Vehi cross? That was the ish
@@FantomLightning I love the Axiom and VehiCross, Isuzu had some truly unique vehicles in it's time. There was also the Rodeo and Trooper. I still remember seeing brand new Rodeos at my then-local Isuzu dealership back in 2003.
Around this time Ford had the Eddie Bauer edition, Subaru had the L.L. Bean edition... Chevy just had the Rubbermaid edition.
Thank you mototweek for remember the first gen of the avalanche
I love the Isuzu Axiom at the beginning.
I wish GM put the midgate in more cars than just the avalanche, envoy XUV, and hummer h2 SUT
How could they forget the venerable Sport Trac!
The Sport Trac didn't do anything special except make lots of timing chain noise.
I had a 2002 Avalanche Z71 bought it new in 2001. I have to say I generally liked the truck. It was the most comfortable vehicle I ever owned. Mid-gate design was well thought out and I had zero issues with leaking or usage. For a vehicle that size it got pretty decent mileage too, compared to other trucks. What didn't I like? AC developed a leak within 3 years, and dealer wouldn't fix, cost me decent amount to fix and refill. Later the shocks all were completely gone after 3 1/2 years. Not long after the brakes were shot. Essentially all these things happened at the 40K mark. I was also not fond of the GM dealerships. They just seem to be always sleazy and out to milk you for every dime. You think that GM/Chevy after investing in making such a good truck would spend a few bucks and install shocks that last longer and brakes that aren't complete junk and stand behind their vehicles instead of letting sleaze bag dealerships chase their customers away. I know it sounds trivial but after all this I never bought another GM (or American) car again and I was a GM guy through and through.
I've had a avalanche for 11 years and never knew the bed extended out like that, wtf.
Me neither
😂🤦🏻♂️ The more you know 🤷🏻♂️
I bought mine new in mid 2001 as soon as my local dealership got one, I have only dropped the mid gate, and removed the rear window once, after I had it home just to see how it worked. And I still have it today, it's a beautiful truck, and it still looks like it did the day I brought it home...
I never knew about the 2500 or North Face Edition. That's really cool
I loved my 05 Avalanche..thankfully it didn’t have the cladding. I miss it
I would love to see a video on the Envoy XUV
@WatchJRGo is fixing one
@@TheZProtocol I know
Me too. What I heard about the Envoy XUV is their sliding hatch roof are prone to water leakage.
When I saw, and heard the specs of the Saturn VUE I nearly killed myself.
I had a 3.0 vue. 60 in 8 seconds and 24 mpg. Whats wrong with that? It was comfy and rode like a small car
In 2004 some AWD models got the optional 250 HP Honda J35 V6 which was impressive for it's time.
@@ryans47 oddly enough the j35 wasnt any faster or at least not by much, i looked on wiki and apparently the 3.0 is actually the x30e and has at least 210 hp and weighs a lot less. I beat mine hard from 130 to 180k miles and it took it good too, underrated engine
@@billyray4716 I drove a couple early model Vues.The Saturn's with the 2.2 and 3.0 engines we're very sluggish. I went with the 07 Vue because the Honda engine was significantly more powerful and has been very reliable. It was a significant upgrade to the older smaller engines.
I had a 2002 Avalanche with the 8.1. It only averaged 10 mpg but what a beast!
Wow i had no idea this truck was so versatile!
They should have called the new Silverado EV the avalanche
I have a gen1 loaded,black,brush bars, sunroof, leather (no tears),factory everything……best truck ever... I've had Ford's and Dodge's....just really like this truck.
"Crossovers are vehicles that brides the gap between pickups and SUVs, or SUVs and cars. With a little minivan thrown in for taste. While that may sound confusing, don't worry, in 20 years time, that's the only type of vehicle made anymore... So get used to it!"
Ah, back when they put v8 in everything and when everything was much simpler with vehicles and when they all looked like actual suvs and didn’t all look the same. I’m very disappointed that gm is going all electric. 😪
I've seen plenty of Chevy Avalanches all over South Carolina.
Bring this back.
This was actually pretty sick! Just bought a 2002 Z71 and this basically showed me a lot of the features.
Please a review of the 94 Galant!
done that
I got a 05 Z71 non classed has some rust on the rockers but other then that the engine is still strong with 146k miles
they should be making this vehicle in 2021 withmore tech of modern because it was way ahead of its time...still the best full size crossover of any brand ..
My mom bought ours brand new off the lot in 2002, and it became mine 2016 in High School
200,000 miles later and her and that old Vortec engine are still chugalugin'!
This vehicle is bulletproof and unique in Revolutionary
The Vue is a good looking little SUV
“Price is well up there too” a decade later those are the prices for a “cheap” truck.
Love the truck,hate the cheap looking cladding!
Love my 2002 Avalanche. It has the 8.1L and that thing is a beast! Just hit 200,000 miles.
What’s the gas mileage been like?
around 12 to 13 mpg.
@@GalaxyRods goootness
There are some pretty nice examples of these where I live. You can make this thing pretty cool with the right mods
Dang this was an innovative truck
I learned how to drive in an Avalanche, I'm really good at using my mirrors for backing up.
I had a 2004 Z71 in dark blue without the body cladding and loved it. Unfortunately, my dumbass ex-wife traded it off after 3.5 years and 38,000 miles. Had I kept it, I would have had it paid off in another 1.5 years and would likely still be driving it to this day and likely under 100,000 miles. Still pisses me off!
“Massive one piece bumper” that also cracks with a minor smack and costs $700 for a new one, when I can get a chrome one piece heavy duty bumper for a 60s-80s Chevy for about $75-90. Still gotta love the Avalanche, I’m glad they made it.
Still have my 02 Avalanche, I bought it new on Valentines Day 02. And she still runs great about 224K on her.
I remember receiving a small toy red Avalanche with the brochure I sent out for when these first came out.
To bad they didn't stick around, people really seemed to like them.
If I remember correctly the Avalanche was around till 2012
The OG plastic cladding = off-road version sweeping the crossover market
I didn’t realize the 2500 had the 8.1, I just assumed it was the 6.0!
That beast probably gets about 8 mpg on the highway..if gas was 1.25 $ yea but not 3$ a gallon
I want one
6.0lt
@Saint Fifty One not in that heavy ass truck it's not..my buddy has crew cab 2500 with the 6.0.. highway is 10 n it only has 65k on the clock. 04 or 05 model..
@@jdubskiwright2380 Your friend, must be one of them ones that be heavy on the throttle, and then fuss about gas .
His should get better MPGs due to his bein' a 2005 and this Avalanche, is a 2002.
2002 Chevy Avalanche MPG rating;@@jdubskiwright2380 He must be heavy on the throttle.
2002 Chevy Avalanche with the 6.0;
Regular Gasoline 13 combined city/highway MPG
12 city. 15 highway 7.7 gals/100 mile
If they released it today, that thing would be $50K ... how times have changed lol
The $35k base price for a 4X4 model is equivalent to ~$50k when adjusted for inflation.
200 horsepower era
This is better than most new crossovers and SUVs!
Man the a Dodge and a Vue.
I've had those all in our family and what junk. The Ram had the same cheap gauge cluster in my uncle's 2015 as that 02 did.
@@tkewrestler2662 Was it on the automatics? My aunt had an ‘04 that she laid to rest last year at 168K, but it was the 5 speed. Never seemed to give her any serious trouble, but then again she only daily drove it to work.
Ram gauge cluster completely changed in 2009 with the 4th gen...
@@tkewrestler2662 Good thing my aunt had the 4 cylinder with the manual gearbox. Still, the engine going to shit after 168k still seems too low for a 16 year old car.
@@JJPMustang they must have changed to another cheap looking POS then cuz the one I've driven looked like it belonged in a neon or caliber.
@@tkewrestler2662 I remember the felt like it wanted to tip over just driving straight.
Wish they'd bring this back, especially after seeing the Hummer EV.
Perfect timing. I just bought one
Reminds me of the Gmc Envoy with the sliding rear roof the turned it into a "pickup"
Our family was happy how versatile the Avalanche was! Solid SUT. Too bad the WI salty winters rusted it away.
I still have my 2006 Avalanche 1500 with the 8.1L V8
1:54 I had mine in this exact condition a couple years ago.
At least the Avalanche was better than a Honda Ridgeline
Shit man I thought I had a few dead pixels in the middle of my screen for a minute