Most of the interior features of a well-trimmed Suburban are found in the Avalanche. That means a comfortable cabin for passengers and good ergonomic design for the driver. The seats in the Avalanche are identical to the first two rows in the Suburban. The Avalanche comes with some nice features, including a coffee warmer and the ultimate in sun visors. Map lights are provided and there is generous illumination throughout the cabin. Flush-mounted cargo lights in the bed rails make a big difference when loading cargo at night.

Multi-zone manual climate control is standard on all models. An automatic battery-protection system shuts off the lights 10 minutes after you turn off the ignition.

Optional power-adjustable pedals move up to 3 inches closer to the driver. That's a real boon for shorter drivers, who won't have to sit as close to the steering wheel in order to reach the pedals. Because the airbag is mounted in the steering wheel hub, the adjustable pedals become a safety feature for women of average height or shorter. The adjustable pedals have a memory function, adding convenience for mixed-height couples.

Avalanche comes with a six-speaker CD stereo, and you can order premium Bose speakers and a six-CD changer. XM Satellite Radio is a real feature when traveling because the stations don't change as you drive across the country and you can stay in touch by listening to FoxNews, CNN and other 24-hour news and sports stations. It's nice to have around town for listening to your favorite music (rock, country, classical, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, whatever).

The optional rear-seat video system includes a DVD player with a flip-down screen to keep munchkins entertained on long journeys. It comes with two sets of wireless headphones, auxiliary audio/video jacks, a remote game plug-in, separate audio controls for the rear compartment, and a mute button.

OnStar is well worth having for safety, security and convenience. It works well as a navigation system and there's nothing to program: Simply press the blue button and a human operator responds through a speaker, ready to provide directions and other assistance. OnStar always knows the location of your vehicle. The staff will notify authorities of your location if your airbag goes off and you do not respond to their calls. Or you can press the emergency button and they'll send out the troops. They can unlock your doors if you lock your keys inside. They can direct you to the nearest gas station or help find a good restaurant or motel. If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can pinpoint its location and direct the authorities to apprehend and recover.

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