Chevrolet Avalanche

The 2007 Avalanche redesign has a nicer interior. With an available full-time four-wheel drive system, the Avalanche did very well in our testing. It's also quiet, rides comfortably and the optional rearview camera system greatly improves outward visibility to compensate for a very large rear blind zone. The versatile cargo area has a watertight three-piece cover and two locking bins on the sides. The rear window can be removed and stored in a compartment on the midgate for taller items or left in place along with the bed cover for weather protection. This modular system provides several options, but in practice is fussy to use.

The Chevrolet Avalanche is a full-sized crew-cab pickup with a unified bed and cab. An innovative mid-gate panel between the bed and passenger compartment can be folded down to make room for longer cargo. This feature allows the Avalanche to accommodate a variety of different passenger and cargo loads. Fussing with all those pieces, however, can be a chore. Based on the Suburban, the Avalanche uses that model's 5.3-liter V8, which provides impressive acceleration, though it isn't economical. The ride is commendably comfortable and quiet for a truck.