No, it’s not a leftover from prop from the movie “Judge Dredd,” it’s the all-new Chevrolet Avalanche.  Now, pay attention, because although it may look like something out of an explosion-filled sci-fi matinee, it’s actually a pretty serious piece of equipment.

Like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, the Avalanche carves a new niche in the sport-utility market by slicing the roof of the cargo area off, in this case opening up the back of a Suburban.  Unlike the much smaller Sport Trac however, the Avalanche’s cargo bed is still connected to the passenger cabin via a “Midgate,” which allows the rear window and wall to be removed.  Fold the back seats down, drop the Midgate, and the Avalanche is a two-seat, four-door pickup truck.  Close it back up, and it’s a Suburban with an open bed.  It’s enough to make you wonder why someone didn’t think of it sooner.

Like the Suburban with which it shares 85% of its parts, the Avalanche is a big, big truck.  The unique front end and copious gray cladding add even more visual impact.  The traditional Chevy chrome grille bar rides front and center, leading an aggressively creased and bulged hood and body.  That vast expanse of gray plastic looks best on dark-colored Avalanches, and it’s not evidence of cost-cutting on Chevy’s behalf, either.  The cladding is scratch- and chip-resistant thermopoly olefin (TPO) that provides protection from brush and stones during off-road adventures.  The Avalanche’s nicely-finished Midgate is structurally reinforced injected molded (SRIM) plastic, ensuring no need for a bedliner.  The optional hard tonneau cover will support up to 250 pounds, enabling owners to stand or walk on it if necessary.  A closer look at the Avalance reveals handy steps integrated into the corners of the rear bumper and standard-equipment storage boxes along the top of the cargo bed.  These boxes hold up to 3.5 cubic feet of stuff (for the record, that’s more cargo space than a Toyota MR2 has), and can double as coolers thanks to the insulating qualities of the plastic bed and a pair of thoughtful drains.

From the front seat, the Avalanche shares the Suburban’s comfortable front seats and fully instrumented dash.  The rear seats fold flat, like those in most four-door pickups, but of course that’s where the similarity ends.  The rear window comes out with the flip of a latch, and there’s a recess for it in the Midgate, which then folds flat to the floor as well.  The Midgate can also be lowered with the rear glass in place.  Fully opened up, the Avalanche is effectively a regular cab pickup with an eight-foot cargo bed.  In four-passenger mode, the Avalanche’s cargo box is a little over five feet long, and the floor has been reinforced to carry over 1300 pounds.  A closer look at the bed reveals slots for 2x4s, should owners want to separate loads vertically or horizontally.  The rear window looks dauntingly small, but visibility is just as good as that of the average pickup.

The big surprise is the Avalanche’s road manners.  Although it weighs almost the same, the Avalanche is substantially friendlier to drive than its standard SUV sibling.  Open or closed, the Avalanche is nicely balanced and surprisingly eager on twisty roads.  The truck’s tires don’t appreciate hard cornering, of course, but the Avalanche’s forgiving nature is confidence inspiring.  With the Midgate open, the semi-convertible experience is breezy and pleasant, especially with the windows down.  That chunky plastic C-pillar hides a massive structural brace, which keeps the Midgate from rattling.  Like other Chevy trucks, the Avalanche sits on a strong and light hydroformed chassis.

Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard, although the Avalanche’s sheer mass is still a factor in hard braking situations.  The independent front and five-link rear suspensions are borrowed from the Suburban, giving the Avalanche a decent freeway ride. Like Ford’s SuperCrew (the Avalanche’s closest competitor), the Avalanche rides more smoothly than a regular-cab pickup truck.   Off-road, two- and four-wheel drive Avalanches are ready for any reasonable challenge.  Four-wheel drives feature a pushbutton system with high and low modes.

Motivating the Avalanche is Chevrolet’s Vortec 5300 V8, with 285 horsepower.  It’s a big truck, but it doesn’t act like it when the pedal hits the floor.  The Avalanche can tow up to 8300 pounds with the optional 4.10 rear axle.  No engine cooling or suspension modifications are necessary.  The four-speed automatic transmission also has a “Tow/Haul” mode.  The Vortec 5300 engine meets ULEV standards for emissions.

As it’s being rolled out across the nation this summer, the Avalanche is available as a 1500 series, similar to the rest of Chevrolet’s full-size trucks, and in two- or four-wheel drive.    Standard equipment includes 16″ wheels, side airbags, GM’s across-the-board OnStar emergency communications system and a CD player.  Chevy dealers also have a generous complement of options ready to install, including luggage carriers, roof racks, a bed extender, and a Pontiac Aztek-style tent which mounts in the bed.  Later Avalanche variants include a special edition trimmed by The North Face camping gear, and a 2500 series, big-block V8-equipped version capable of towing 12,000 pounds.  Pricing starts at $30,965 for a two-wheel drive Avalanche 1500.  We drove a four-wheel drive Avalanche with the 4.10 rear axle, skid plates, and 17″ wheels.  It stickered for $37,683.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 4×4, which we tested.

Length:     221.7 in.
Width:        79.8 in.
Height:        73.6 in.
Wheelbase:    130.0 in.
Curb weight:    5678 lb.
Towing capacity:    8100 lb.  (2wd tows 8300)
Payload:    1322 lb.
Base price:    $30,965
Price as tested: $37,683
Engine:     5.3 liter OHV V8
Drivetrain:     four-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower:     285 @ 5200
Torque:     325 @ 4000
Fuel capacity:    31 gal.
Est. mileage:    13/17