2006 Chevrolet Avalanche

The Avalanche is Chevy's half-ton pickup with an SUV-style cabin and a bed that opens into the cab. It rides smoother than most trucks of its size, and the steering-wheel controls keep your hands where they belong. Fold the rear seats and drop the midgate to turn the bed into a long, covered cargo bay that stays dry in the rain. Owners note that tire-pressure sensors and some other electronics can act up as the truck ages. This Avalanche is the hybrid model, the one that trades a little fuel economy for the convenience of four-wheel drive. The hybrid system lets the engine shut off at stops to save fuel, which is a feature you won't find on the standard Avalanche.