The most interesting feature is, of course, the Midgate. It allows the Avalanche to switch from a Suburban-like vehicle with comfortable seating for up to six people with a 5-foot, 3-inch cargo box to a three-passenger pickup truck with an 8-foot, 1-inch box. The midgate works just like a folding rear seat in a sedan or SUV: Folding it up reveals a nice, comfortable bench seat. Folding it down provides flat cargo space and access to the back. Instead of carpet, the midgate is backed with a tough composite material impervious to gravel or anything else you can throw at it.

But there's more: the rear window of the crew cab can be quickly removed and stored out of harm's way under the midgate. Remove the bed cover, which is divided into three pieces, slide it into a nice fabric bag that's provided and store it along the bed; it attaches to the side to minimize the space it takes up. Now you have a fully functional pickup with an eight-foot bed. You can park an ATV in back, with the fenders where the rear seat was moments before.

This, of course, results in an open-air driving experience; there's nothing separating you and the open pickup bed. But wind noise is minimal, with no buffeting. Only a slight breeze reminds you that your ATV is sitting on the back seat. GM engineers achieved this through extensive tuning in the wind tunnel and a pair of flying buttresses that add structural rigidity to the truck and can be used as tie-downs.

Seats in the Avalanche are identical to the first two rows in the Suburban. Avalanche comes with a coffee warmer, available map lights, and the ultimate in sun visors. The rear seats can also be folded down for cargo space inside the cab; there's nearly 54 cubic feet of interior cargo volume with the midgate up and rear seat folded.