Other safety gear includes dual-stage front airbags and optional front-to-rear side head curtain airbags. Too bad GM didn't make the side

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

curtains standard as well. Nonetheless GM included tire-pressure monitoring and OnStar as standard fare along with dual-zone manual climate control, cruise control, full analogue instrumentation, driver information centre, electrochromatic auto-dimming rear mirror with compass, tilt steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, keyless entry and power windows as standard equipment. Building on that generous foundation is a plethora of standalone options and option packages, enabling Avalanche owners to fulfill their decadent desires.

The Avalanche is a unique vehicle among full-size trucks and SUVs. It's neither- but somehow it performs both roles seamlessly and competently.

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

In closing, I must mention a strange phenomenon that takes hold when I climb behind the wheel of the beefy Avalanche- I become relaxed. There's something about its girth in conjunction with its genteel operation that takes me to my "special place." A place in which I know there is no point in trying to out-hustle the Bimmer next to me or thread-the-needle through slow moving traffic. Nope, it's time to sit back, enjoy the Bose-driven tunes and glide home in a tremendously pleasurable, SUV-come-pickup.


Impressive:

Refined operation
Quiet, smooth ride
Versatility 'til the cows come home- or the kids

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Relaxing to drive

Unimpressive:

Disappointing passing performance
Still a fuel gobbler
Poor rearward visibility
Expensive, (Canadian starting price of $38,750, as tested of $56,255)