The Avalanche offers excellent handling for a big, heavy truck. It seems to handle a little better than a Suburban. 4WD and 2WD versions of the Avalanche use the same suspension and same ride height, with torsion bars in front and a five-link coil-spring suspension with a solid axle in the rear.

The brakes are excellent. GM has come a long way with brakes in the past few years.

The 5.3-liter V8 delivers plenty of punch. It's a responsive engine, rated at 285 horsepower and, more important, 325 pounds-feet of torque, which launches it quickly off the line. The broad, flat torque curve, with 90 percent of peak torque available from 1600 to 5000 rpm, is designed to provide outstanding trailer- and load-hauling capability. A properly equipped Avalanche is rated to tow up to 8300 pounds.

The four-speed automatic transmission (4L60-E) offers responsive shifting. Pressing the Tow/Haul mode results in quicker, harder shifts and less hunting between gears to reduce heat buildup.

Autotrac four-wheel drive lets the driver shift into different modes depending on conditions: 2HI offers the best efficiency; Auto 4WD transfers power from the rear wheels to the front wheels as needed to optimize traction in inconsistent conditions; 4HI provides the best traction in rugged terrain; 4LO is available when it gets really ugly; and neutral allows the Avalanche to be flat-towed.

2WD models come with electronic traction control for more controlled acceleration on slippery surfaces.

Avalanche 2500 models come with a 8.1-liter V8 that generates 455 pounds-feet of torque at just 3200 rpm. It's rated to tow up to 12,000 pounds in either 2WD or 4WD versions. Payload is rated at 2247 pounds for 2WD 2500s, 1958 pounds for 4WD versions; 1500 models offer a 1363-pound payload for 2WD, 1322 pounds for 4WD.