Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002

Large Crew Cab Pickup

Winner: Chevrolet Avalanche
"The official equivalent of an automotive Swiss Army knife."

Full-size crew cabs have always presented somewhat of a compromise. Sure, they had all the room of a four-door along with the practicality of a cargo bed, but try parking one of those 22-ft behemoths in your garage, and you'll quickly realize just how impractical they can be. So when Chevrolet unveiled the Avalanche, we couldn't help but notice its innovative solution to the problem. With its ingenious Convert-a-Cab system, the Avalanche is more than just a crew cab pickup — it really is the best of both worlds. In its standard configuration, it offers all the room and creature comforts of a typical full-size SUV. There's room for five adults with plenty of extra storage available in the fully lockable 5-foot-3-inch cargo bed. Should that rare occasion arise when you need more than just a little extra cargo room, just fold down the mid-gate behind the rear seats, and presto — you've got a full-length 8-foot-1-inch cargo bed. A PROTEC composite lining keeps things dent- and rust-free while additional storage boxes in the sides of the bed provide even more storage for small items. Available as either a 1500 half-ton or 2500 three-quarter ton, the Avalanche offers two stout drivetrains. Standard models feature the awesome 5.3-liter Vortec V8, while heavy-duty models get the uncompromising power of the 8.1-liter Vortec V8. Both engines come equipped with sturdy four-speed transmissions that provide crisp shifts and a tow/haul mode for trouble-free towing. We have somewhat mixed emotions regarding the extroverted styling of the Avalanche, but in a world of look-alike pickups at every turn, it's refreshing to see a manufacturer go with a design that really stands apart from the crowd. What really impressed us however, is the Avalanche's true functionality as both an SUV and a practical pickup. It kind of makes other full-size crew cabs look downright impractical in comparison.