2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

The Avalanche is Chevy's half-truck, half-SUV, blending a full-size pickup bed with a four-door crew cab. It rides surprisingly smooth for something this big, more like a car than a traditional truck. The midgate folds down and the rear window drops, so you can haul long items while keeping the cabin sealed. Some owners mention the dash cracks in the sun and the transmission can need attention after high miles. The 1500 is the lighter-duty Avalanche, and picking the 4WD version adds traction in snow and mud over the base RWD model. Its 5.3L V8 makes 295 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, paired with a four-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, which is enough to tow a boat or haul a bed full of gravel. The 1500 rides on coil springs at all four corners instead of the 2500's leaf springs, so it's more comfortable on pavement but can't carry as heavy a payload.