Description: Full-Size Pickup Truck
Base MSRP Range: $33,320 - $38,155
Invoice Price Range: $29,155 - $33,386
Where built: Mexico

Constructed on the chassis of a Silverado LD truck with a cabin fashioned from the super-size Suburban wagon, Avalanche discards Suburban's rear bay in favor of the shortened bed of a pickup.

There's a husky V8 engine under the hood, a four-wheeling traction mechanism that automatically channels torque to all wheels, and a heavy-duty automatic transmission to manage so much power.

The back wall of the cabin also works as a door. It folds flat after the back seat tumbles forward and forms a generous extension of the truck box. The rear box has high walls and indentations to rig tiers or segment cargo, and a detachable tailgate folds down to extend the floor of the box. A deluxe cabin in Avalanche resembles Suburban in a layout with seating for five or six

Avalanche comes in 1500 or 2500 series with RWD or 4WD traction. The 1500 extracts power from a 5.3-liter ,V8 that makes 295-hp but the 2500 packs GM's 8.1-liter, big-block V8 with 320-hp.

GM's OnStar telecommunications system is standard for Avalanche in 2005, with power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals available in add-on equipment packages.