chevrolets avalanche

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Remember when only farmers and tradesmen drove pickups?

Well, like balanced budgets and dial telephones, those days are disappearing in the rearview mirror. So, when Chevrolet offers its clever Avalanche pickup, I guess we should expect a good deal of luxury - not that we're complaining.

We liked the truck so well, it's American Snowmobiler's Truck of the Year.

All the amenities
Our tested silver LT1 model started at $35,295, plus $875 in destination charges, but it came loaded with the LTZ package, a $6,735 option that includes some darned fine features, starting with leather seats throughout and 12-way power seats up front, along with seat warmers. When the temps slip below freezing, those three-speed heaters are mighty nice, especially since they warm both your bottom and your back.

Then there are power adjustable pedals, a fancy stereo with XM satellite radio, MP3 capabilities and Bose speakers. Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson and Gretchen Wilson sound awesome blasting out of those.

For safety, that LTZ package adds side airbag curtains, and for comfort, there's a self-adjusting rear suspension and dual automatic climate controls. Don't forget a few gadgets and fun techno items too, like rain-sensing wipers, rear park assist, that beeps to let you know if you're gonna bang something while backing up, and power fold-in side mirrors that are great when you get in a tight spot, or run through a car wash.

Our season-long test truck also had a navigation system ($2,145), rear seat entertainment system ($1,295), sunroof ($995) and the cool rearview camera ($195), which is handy when backing up to connect to a trailer.

Final sticker price was $47,580.

All this shows just how far you can go with today's pickups. For the record, a base Avalanche LS with 2-wheel drive starts at $32,460, and a new Silverado 1500 Crew Cab with 2-wheel drive lists at $26,000, moving to 4-wheel drive pushes that to $29,200. Those Silverado models have a less grunty 4.8-liter V-8 with 295 horses for starters though.

Practical too
Fact is, the Avalanche is an incredibly comfortable and useful pickup, especially with that clever midgate that folds down to extend the pickup bed inside the cab. In the meantime, you've got a full back seat, so on days when you're not hauling cargo, you can haul people. Five fit comfortably in the Avalanche, and with a DVD player and screen, the three in back will feel like they're still at home in the family room.

We've driven a number of Chevys (before the latest remake) and we're here to tell you the Avalanche is much more comfortable than those earlier models. Its new chassis, shared with several other GM trucks, is stiffer, more refined and offers better ride and handling.

There's a premium suspension here that makes highway rides comfortable, and bumps disappear, even on rough roads. Handling also is improved, steering is more responsive and the vagueness of previous GM trucks is gone.

Towability
The 5.3-liter V-8, which kicks out 310 horsepower and 335 foot-pounds of torque, is good for highway cruising when there's no trailer in tow. It'll also get you away from stoplights just fine. In highway driving we managed up to 17.5 mpg with two people and snowmobile gear filling the bed and much of the rear seat. The EPA says to expect 15 mpg city and 20 highway.

However, when a 2-place trailer is attached, the mileage drops to the 13.5 mpg range, and when a loaded 4-place trailer is in tow, that slipped to 10.2 mpg. Luckily this one also will drink E-85 fuel, which is 85% ethanol and costs less than regular gasoline.

Last year's Silverado had the stronger 6.0-liter V-8 that was better for towing. That engine had almost no downshifting on hills with our 2-place Triton trailer in tow. With the 5.3-liter, there's a lot more downshifting and annoying engine noise as its revs build. We'd like that 6.0 in the Avalanche.

Some might think the truck's 4-speed automatic should be upgraded to a 5-speed, but we've had good luck with this automatic. It shifts smoothly so why add cost to the truck?

Braking is extremely good too with 4-wheel discs and an anti-lock system. Plus, there's automatic 4-wheel drive to help you through snow drifts. That's great when trailering off road. Stabilitrack helps keep the truck from getting out of shape in the wet too.

Plush truck
Inside, the new Avalanche shouts luxury. Those leather seats are easy to adjust and comfortable, the dash is more refined than past models and has some modest fake wood trim. At this price we'd like better looking trim, namely around the console and footwells.

Yet, everything is easy to see and use. It's laid out logically. The gauges are simple, yet attractive, and the radio is easy to use. Buttons are large and we enjoyed the XM feature. Heat comes on quickly, and the truck warms up nicely on cold mornings. The defroster clears the windows especially well, even when the outside temp is 0°. Seats also are comfy. My derriere didn't tire until about 8 hours into a 12-hour drive from northern Minnesota to home.

We liked the sunroof overhead, but it's not a necessity, and navigation systems are fine, but you could save cash there too. The OnStar system, where you can call a person directly for directions or help, is much more valuable.

An additional word or two about the truck's bed - it has a heavy-duty liner to protect it. Plus, Avalanche uses three easy interlocking panels to cover the bed and keep it watertight, if you need that as much as we always seem to. The covered bed and tailgate also lock and unlock with the key fob as well, so you can lock everything up easily.

All told, this new Avalanche is an extremely comfortable, good driving and useful truck.

If buying one, we'd cut costs by going lighter on the options.

Chevrolet Avalanche LT 4WD
Made in: Silao, Mexico
Engine: 5.3-liter, V-8, 310 hp
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
MPG: 15/20
Weight: 5,863 lbs.
Tow: 8,000 lbs.
Base price: $35,295
Dealer's price: $32,977
Delivery: $875
Major options: LTZ group (leather seats, 12-way power front seats w/memory/heat, power adjustable pedals, remote starter, AM/FM stereo w/MP3/6-disc CD, side curtain airbags, Bose speakers, XM radio, locking rear differential, autoride suspension, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, heated washer fluid, rain-sensing wipers, universal home remote, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking assist, power folding outside mirrors, luggage rack-side rails), $6,735
Navigation system: $2,145
Rear seat entertainment system: $1,295
Sunroof: $995
Rearview camera: $195
Luggage rack, crossbars: $45
Test vehicle: $47,580
Sources: Chevrolet, www.autos.yahoo.com