2012 Chevrolet Avalanche LS

The 2012 Avalanche is Chevrolet's full-size pickup with a covered bed, so it hauls like a truck but keeps cargo secure and dry. It drives smoothly for a big truck, and owners say it turns surprisingly tight and feels steady on and off the road. The cabin is roomy and quiet, with a versatile midgate that folds down to carry long items while protecting them from the weather. Some owners note the plastic bed covers fade over time, and a few report cracked dashboards or a check engine light that comes on without cause. The LS is the base model, so you get the same 5.3L V8 and four-wheel drive as the LT and LTZ, but cloth seats and a simpler stereo keep the price down. Its 5.3L I8 makes 320 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, so it pulls strongly and handles snow or mud without drama. The LS skips the LTZ's leather and power-adjustable pedals, but the midgate still folds flat for eight-foot lumber, and the plastic bed cover keeps gear dry.