2012 Chevrolet Avalanche: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The most important change for the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche is an upgraded standard stability system with trailer sway control and hill start assist. This is a light-update year rather than a redesign, with a few added comfort and technology features on higher trims.
About the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
2nd gen (2007-2013), late in the run and one year before the final 2013 Black Diamond edition.
Chevrolet positioned the Avalanche as a full-size truck for people who wanted SUV comfort without giving up pickup usefulness. Its defining feature was the Midgate, which let the cabin and bed open into one longer cargo area when needed. Compared with a regular pickup, the Avalanche leaned more toward versatility, lockable storage, passenger comfort, and a smoother ride. It was the truck for owners who mixed everyday family duty, road trips, towing, and occasional big-cargo jobs.
The 2012 Avalanche remains a part-truck, part-SUV vehicle built around its Midgate, which creates a maximum load floor of 8 feet 2 inches. LS focuses on utility, LT adds leather seating, heated front seats, and Bose audio, while LTZ brings heated and cooled front seats, navigation, a rearview camera, and a heated steering wheel.
What changed, by category
2012 Chevrolet Avalanche specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel |
| MPG City | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | 15 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Horsepower | 320 hp | 320 hp | 320 hp |
| Torque | 335 lb-ft | 335 lb-ft | 335 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 8000 lb | 8000 lb | 8000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 45.5 cu-ft | 45.5 cu-ft | 45.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.1 in | 39.1 in | 39.1 in |
| Seats | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| Power Moonroof | |||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Power Side Steps | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Bluetooth | |||
| Front DVD Entertainment System | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||
| USB Ports | |||
| Video Input | |||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||
| Cooled Seats | |||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||
| Power Adjustable Pedals | |||
| Remote Start | |||
| Tilt Wheel | |||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche?
The biggest change is upgraded standard stability control. It adds trailer sway control to help steady a trailer and hill start assist to help prevent rollback when starting on a slope.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche a redesign?
No, the 2012 Avalanche is not a redesign. It receives light safety, technology, and comfort updates while keeping the same basic design, Midgate cargo system, engine, and transmission.
Did the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche get a new engine or transmission?
No, the powertrain carries over for 2012. The Avalanche retains its 5.3-liter flex-fuel V8 and six-speed automatic transmission.
Which 2012 Avalanche trims gained new comfort features?
The LT gains heated front seats, and the LTZ gains a heated steering wheel for 2012. The upgraded stability system applies to LS, LT, and LTZ.
Did the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche get a new touch-screen system?
Yes, a new 7-inch touch-screen navigation and audio system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive joined the equipment list for 2012. It was not standard on every trim.