2007 Guide to E85 Ethanol Vehicles

The Avalanche is flexible with its fuel and cargo, with a Midgate system that folds rear seats flat and extends the cargo box from 5.3 feet to 8.1 feet. Active Fuel Management operates the V-8 engine on only four cylinders to save fuel when power demands are low. FlexFuel operation is standard on 4x4 models and a no-cost option on 4x2 models. Half-ton models only.

Chevy’s large sedan offers a roomy interior and a cavernous 18 cubic feet of trunk space. FlexFuel capability comes with the Impala’s standard 3.5-liter V-6, but customers in California and Northeast states with tighter emissions standards will have to choose between PZEV-certified or E85-compatible versions of the engine.

Essentially a two-door version of the Impala, the Monte Carlo distinguishes itself with sporty styling and a premium interior. Like the Impala, all models equipped with the E85-capable 3.5-liter V-6 – available on both LS and LT trim levels – will receive a FlexFuel badge, and the same rules apply for states with California emissions.

Chevy’s full-size pickup is all-new for 2007, with a rugged new exterior and a newly refined interior. Fortunately, a wide variety of cab and bed-length configurations carry over, as does optional E85-capability for the 5.3-liter V-8. The previous generation truck soldiers on in 2007 as the Silverado Classic, which can be ordered as a FlexFuel as well.

GM’s new GMT900 platform underpins the company’s redesigned line of SUVs and pickups, bringing greater structural stiffness, a new suspension, and other improvements. Half-ton Suburbans come in FlexFuel configuration – standard on 4x4 models, which feature an aluminum-block V-8, and optional on iron-block 4x2 models – across all trim levels.

The all-new Chevy Tahoe – as well as its longer Suburban and GMC counterparts – features a new wraparound front fascia that looks good and improves aerodynamic efficiency. Active Fuel Management improves fuel economy too, and can be paired with E85-capability as an option on all models equipped with the 5.3-liter V-8.

The Uplander – a restyled and repackaged version of the discontinued Venture minivan – is still happy to seat seven comfortably in both short and long wheelbase configurations. Chevrolet says the availability of FlexFuel versions of the Uplander will be limited in 2007 for LS Extended Wheelbase and LT models.

Chrysler's version of the Dodge Durango features a unique front fascia, a premium interior, large 18- or 20-inch wheels, and available quad bucket seats. The 4.7-liter V-8 is E85-capable and standard on both 4x2 and 4x4 models but, like all Chrysler Group flexible fuel vehicles, is unavailable in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont.

The all-new for 2007 Sebring features styling that pays homage to the successful Chrysler 300 and a sleek new interior. An E85-capable 2.7-liter engine is available in 45 states on the Touring model with the K option package. And for green open-air motoring, the recently unveiled Sebring convertible will be E85-capable for the 2008 model year.

The Dodge Caravan is a mainstay of families across America, counting among its features Stow'n Go seating that allows the second and third rows to fold flat in the floor. For flexible fuel capability, choose the popular 3.3-liter V-6, which is a $970 option in the short wheelbase Caravan SE and standard on the Grand Caravan SE.

The Dakota takes styling cues from its big brother, the Ram, and also shares its flexible fuel 4.7-liter V-8, though with slightly less power. The engine is available in 45 states on the ST, SLT, and Laramie trim levels, in two-door Club Cab or four-door Quad Cab configurations.

The Durango, which pushes the limits on the mid-size SUV category with its near full-size interior volume, features updated styling for 2007 that draws back the semi-truck look of last year's model. The 4.7-liter V-8 sits between the standard V-6 and larger Hemi V-8 in power, but is the only one to offer flexible fuel capability.

The full-size Ram is highly configurable with a wide variety of trim levels, bed-lengths, and two-door Regular Cab and four-door Quad Cab styles. Unless you live in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont, you can upgrade to the 4.7-liter V-8 — a $785 upgrade on the base ST trim level — and get flexible fuel capability.

Ford’s full-size, comfortable cruiser hasn’t changed much over the years. An available Handling and Performance package spices things up a bit on LX models thanks to dual exhaust and revised suspension. The 4.7-liter V-8 is E85-capable, but not in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont.

The full-size F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for 24 years. The F-150 can be ordered with a flexible fuel 5.4-liter Triton V-8 – the most powerful engine option – but not with the Flareside cargo box, the Heavy Duty Payload package, or the Harley-Davidson model, and only in 45 states.

The Savana full-size van – GMC’s twin to the Chevy Express – is available in eight-passenger or Cargo form, which removes the rear seats. Half-ton models come with the FlexFuel 5.3-liter V-8, and can be ordered with all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive. The price here reflects the base MSRP for the Passenger model.

Like its twin, the Chevy Silverado, the GMC Sierra is all- new for 2007 with promises of more refinement and even greater capability than the previous generation model. FlexFuel is an option on all models with the 5.3-liter V-8. The Sierra Classic — last year's Sierra — continues in 2007 and is also available with a FlexFuel engine.

The all-new Yukon distinguishes itself from its Chevrolet counterpart with a wide-mouth grill opening and unique headlights. Active Fuel Management improves fuel economy in the Vortec V-8 engine, and is compatible with E85 fuel as a no-cost option on 4x2 models and standard on 4x4 models.

This longer version of the full-size Yukon SUV offers the same seating capacity — a maximum of nine — but more cargo space behind the rear seats. 4x4 models come with a slightly less powerful aluminum block V-8 and E85-capability standard; 4x2 models offer FlexFuel as a no-cost option.

The Commander takes Jeep's versatile Grand Cherokee platform — complete with a choice of two four-wheel-drive systems — and adds rugged, squared-off styling and a third row seat. The flexible fuel 4.7-liter V-8 is optional on the Sport model and standard on the Limited model, but is only available in 45 states.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee is supremely capable off-road thanks to advanced four-wheel drive systems that can detect slip and brake individual wheels. The flexible fuel 4.7-liter V-8 is optional on Laredo models and standard on Limited models, but is not available in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont.

The Town Car is a favorite of limousine and taxi services across the country for its spacious, luxurious interior and cushy ride. The long-wheelbase Signature L model offers more space for back-seat passengers. The E85-compatible 4.6-liter V-8 is standard on all models, but only in 45 states.

The Mercedes C230 Sport Sedan is the sole ethanol- capable entry on the list from a European automaker. The entry-level C230 offers classic Mercedes styling and luxurious interior appointments, as well as a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The V-6 is E85-compatible in all 50 states, and delivers sporting performance.

Mercury's Crown Victoria clone is set apart by a unique grille and a choice between two models — the GS and the better-equipped LS, with an available Handling package. Both come with a 4.6-liter V-8 that is happy to run on E85 fuel, but only in 45 states.

Nissan's full-size SUV features engine enhancements for better air intake, which results in 317 hp for 2007 compared to last year's 305. Its 5.6-liter V-8 is shared with the Titan and is E85-compatible for the first time in 2007, but in North Central, South Central, South East, and Mid-Atlantic regions only.

Nissan's full-size pickup offers less configurability than its American competitors, but is no less capable. The sole engine offering is a powerful 5.6-liter V-8, powering both Crew Cab and extended King Cab versions. If purchased in select regions of the country, a no-cost option will allow the engine to run on E85 fuel.

The Pontiac Montana SV6 — a sporty variation on the GM minivan formula — will not be sold in the U.S. for the 2007 model year, but the van can be special ordered as a flexible fuel vehicle in Canada and Mexico. The price here is the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Canadian model.

The flex-fuel version of the Saturn relay is not on sale yet, but is expected to debut in mid- to late-2007. When it does, it will be powered by the same 3.9-liter V-6 that does duty in the Relay's corporate cousins, the Chevy Uplander, Buick Terraza, and Pontiac Montana SV6.