A few opt outs does not make freeware Ad sponsored IMHO.
Personally I find nothing wrong with installing Chrome with Avast! and have it update through it since I prefer anything other than IE, however the only exception I would have is if it were automatically made the default browser but that option occurs during the Chrome installation itself doesn't it? I, like most people absolutely hate extra Toolbars that come with freeware, but Avast! 6 & 7 allow you to opt out all of these things unlike some programs, although I'll admit I would prefer them or anything extra to be opt ins instead.
People should read reviews and especially instructions for how to avoid undesirable options for freeware and trialware downloads before installing and anyone who was upgrading from 6 to 7 ought to have remembered to be careful while going through the procedure and imparticular to look out for that Google toolbar box they've got at the top to opt out of the default acceptance. Probably would have been better for Avast! to have shown things more clearly in the GUI I reckon, it was easy to miss.
I agree with nord, never use CNET again for downloads, it has a lot of real PUPs IME.