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Chevrolet’s Avalanche is a niche vehicle that captures the essence of a truck, the comfort of a Suburban and the practicality of both. The North Face edition is targeted even more narrowly because it is dolled up for outdoor enthusiasts. Configuring the Avalanche for outdoor types makes sense since this truck holds special appeal to those with an active lifestyle, and North Face, the maker of outdoor equipment, is the perfect partner. This truck is as comfortable hauling mountain bikes or kayaks as it is hauling lumber, and luxurious enough to drive to a dinner outing.

The North Face interior has green and black seats covered with rugged fabric and leather, white-faced gauges and gorgeous metallic green paint. The center cupholders were electric and could keep beverages either hot or cold. Nice touch, except they were small and did not hold large cups. Additional colors include orange, black, pewter and white. Each North Face model comes with two Summit Pod backpacks and two Water Duffalo storage bags. The four-wheel-drive North Face Avalanche driven here is priced at $38,733.

While the Avalanche looks like a pickup truck, its seats, instrument panel and 130-inch wheelbase are basically lifted from the Suburban. The concept is not too different from the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and Ford F-150 SuperCrew, except the Avalanche offers more cargo choices because it has a removable midgate between the cabin and bed, which is 5 feet 3 inches long. The rear window snaps out like a 1972 Corvette’s and stows on the midgate behind the back seat. A power window would be easier to use but one is not offered. With the midgate out and the seats folded down, the cargo space is 8 feet long.

The three-piece rigid aluminum and plastic bed cover keeps the cargo area secure and dry, but taking it off is not as easy as it seems. When the cover is off, the three panels have to be stored inside a bag in the bed, which takes up room, or left at home. Neither is a very elegant solution. The bottom of the pickup box is lined with soft rubber.

Every available nook and cranny has been put to use. The space between the inner and outer bed walls of the pickup box has small storage boxes built in. These cubbies are accessed by a locking top door, and there are lights inside.

The unique styling of the Avalanche, with its boxy, angular nose and large sections of plastic body cladding may not suit everyone, but the cladding has a purpose because it protects from rock chips and minor dings. The triangular roof buttress visually blends the cab into the bed as well as adds structural integrity to the vehicle when the midgate is taken out.

GM’s 5.3-liter V-8 with 285-horsepower powers the Avalanche, and because the vehicle weighs nearly 6,000 pounds, acceleration is just adequate. The test vehicleÕs Autotrac four-wheel-drive system has four modes: two-wheel drive, automatic four-wheel drive, four-wheel high or four-wheel low. The automatic setting is ver y useful because it only transfers drive to the front wheels when slippage occurs, and it added a welcome sense of security when I drove it through pouring rain and sleet.

The five-link rear suspension has coil springs, the same as the Suburban, and the ride is quite pleasant for a big rig. More so than many pickups. Four hours on the highway was not at all unpleasant. The brakes are disc on all four wheels, with anti-lock and front-rear proportioning standard.

The North Face edition is the most luxurious Avalanche to date. Folks who demand, and can afford, the nifty seats will also like the backpacks and waterproof Duffalo bags for their gear.

Price
The base price of a four-wheel-drive Avalanche is $33,465. The North Face package adds $3,500. Other options included auto-dimming mirror, Homelink, OnStar and side steps. The sticker price was $38,733.

Warranty
Three years or 36,000 miles.

Point: The Avalanche is four-wheele versatility. It has the cabin of an SUV, the bed of a pickup and a removable wall, called a midgate, in between. The chassis comes from the Suburban and yields a smooth and comfortable ride. The North Face package is attractive and practical.

Counterpoint: This is a big vehicle to wheel around, so choose it if you have need for its various hauling modes. The plastic cladding is a bit overdone, and more power would be welcome when passing or climbing hills.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 5.3-liter V-8
Transmission: automatic Four-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 130 inches
Curb weight: 5,876 lbs.
Base price: $33,465
As-driven: $38,733
Mpg rating: 13 city, 17 hwy.
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