2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Remember when trucks were regarded as workhorses or construction site haulers? Today, that simply isn't the case. Last year, the Big Three collectively sold more pickups than cars or sport/utilities. Why? Because trucks are today's go-anywhere/ do-anything-anytime conveyances. They're asked to provide daily transportation to work, haul clients, shuttle the kids, take the whole gang away for weekends in the woods, and haul home-improvement supplies for those honey-do projects. Today's truck buyer demands maximum versatility and function along with the safety, convenience, and entertainment capabilities found only in premium luxury cars a few years back.

From the onset, we knew the Avalanche was a solid Truck of the Year contender. We continually gravitated back to this new Chevy for its potent powertrains, commodious interior, feature content, aggressive styling, workaday capability, and innovative convertible cab.

Available in either 11/42-ton (1500) or 31/44-ton (2500) variations, the Avalanche is based on a three-piece frame that incorporates strong hydroformed components (a process in which chassis members are bent from the inside out via pressurized water, allowing the steel to retain its grain structure). This method allows for precise dimensional control (read: better body panel fit) and greatly reduced chassis flex and twist. We appreciated this technology while traversing numerous bolder-strewn off-road trails.

Power is a hugely important factor in any truck contest. Chevrolet offers two strong Vortec V-8s.

The 11/42-ton receives the 5.3L/285-hp OHV V-8 mated to a smooth-shifting, electronically controlled 4L60-E four-speed automatic. With a torque peak of 325 lb-ft at 4000 rpm (and 90 percent of that available from 1600), the Vortec 5300 gets it done-especially in terms of 0-60-mph acceleration, posting an 8.7-sec time. With ample torque available at such a low rpm range, it also makes the 11/42-ton a capable hauler.

As the saying goes, there's no substitute for cubic inches, and the 2500 Avalanche doesn't disappoint. Motivated by an 8.1L/340-hp OHV V-8-yes, the Big Block Chevy lives-passing an incredible 455 lb-ft of torque (at 3200 rpm) through its 4L85-E four-speed automatic, the Vortec 8100 sounds mean and pulls hard, posting an 8.8-sec time to 60 and a 16.6-sec/83.7-mph pass through the quarter-mile. While it's 0.1 sec slower to 60 and 0.1 sec and 0.3 mph slower than its 1500 sibling, the 2500 is also 964 lb heavier (5678 lb versus 6642 lb).

Both are available in two- and four-wheel-drive variants, the latter receiving GM's Autotrac active transfer case. We're especially fond of this system as the driver may choose from 2HI, AUTO 4WD, 4HI, and 4LOW, depending upon road conditions or terrain. It also affords a neutral position, allowing the truck to be towed behind an RV. Off the beaten path, the Avalanche crawls through soft sand and loose shale with ease.

While you might think its underpinnings were derived from the Silverado, the Avalanche actually inherits most of its structure and suspension from the Suburban. Up front, both models use an independent, torsion-bar setup. Rearward, the 1500 gets a multilink live axle with coil springs, while the 2500 rides on a solid axle with two-stage leafs. Four-wheel vented disc brakes (12-in. front and 13-in. rear) with ABS provide powerful, linear emergency stops from 60 mph: 142 ft for the 11/42-ton and 148-ft in the 31/44-ton. Electronic traction control is available on 2WD 1500s

On rough terrain, the 1500 is especially compliant, demonstrating smooth manners over potholed-laden trails. It also offers a superb freeway ride. As expected, the 2500's a bit firmer on-road, and rear-axle hop is almost negligible. Although the Avalanche is nearly 2.5 in. longer than the Suburban, it feels shorter from behind the wheel. During our handling exercises, we were surprised to find the solid-axle 2500 to be quicker (than the 1500) in the 600-ft slalom by nearly 1.5 mph.