2005 Chevrolet Avalanche

The 2005 Avalanche is Chevrolet's clever crossover of a pickup and an SUV, with a crew cab and a bed that opens into the cabin. It rides smoothly for something this size, and the steering wheel puts cruise, radio, and volume controls right at your thumb. Fold down the rear seats and the midgate, and you can turn the cabin into a long, covered cargo bay with lockable bedside boxes. The base Avalanche gives you the same clever midgate and lockable storage as the upscale LT and Z71 trims, without the leather or off-road suspension. Its 5.3L V8 pairs with a automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, which means it'll tow a boat or haul a load of lumber without breaking a sweat, though 15 mpg combined is the trade. You can add the Z71 package for a locking rear diff and upgraded shocks, which turns this already capable truck into a genuine trail companion.