2013 Chevrolet Avalanche vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

Almost unique in the world of pickup trucks—it'd be a solo act without its fraternal twin, the Cadillac Escalade EXT—the Chevy Avalanche is one of two pickup trucks with a fold-down midgate and the utility of both a sport-ute and a pickup truck.

The Honda Ridgeline has the SUV goods and the running gear of one, too, but its pickup bed is short and its intended use is strictly light-duty.

Once the Avalanche is gone, you'll have to turn to the Honda or one of the four-door trucks we've recommended for years for their all-around utility.

Ford's F-150 continues to improve and its EcoBoost V-6 is a real V-8 alternative; the new Ram 1500's V-6 and eight-speed automatic promise the same, with excellent gas mileage and an even nicer interior bundled into a revised package.

There's also the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, the trucks on which the Avalanche is based, though they're up for replacement in the 2014 model year.