With the advent of crossover vehicles the segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.

The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility.

Today's big-truck lineups are so broad and complex that manufacturers just aren't able to redesign and start producing all variations at once. That's why Chevy introduced its 2000 Silverado in only the most popular light-duty models. Now that that's done, new-design one-ton and heavy-duty 3/4-ton pickups will roll out for 2001. Also on deck is a 4-door Crew Cab body style for all Silverado chassis, a reply to Ford's 2001 F-150 SuperCrew.

In addition, the '01 Silverado line will feature a new 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 to replace the elderly 6.5-liter unit. A joint project between General Motors and Isuzu, the Duramax features four valves per cylinder instead of two and direct instead of indirect fuel injection, both of which should increase fuel efficiency while reducing emissions. With direct injection, fuel is squirted into the cylinders instead of being mixed with air in a pre-chamber.

Further out is the prospect of optional 4-wheel steering to make these big rigs easier to park. Several Japanese cars offered 4WS about a decade ago, but the idea found little buyer acceptance, partly because of its high price. But 4WS makes a lot of sense for large pickups and sport-utility vehicles, and CONSUMER GUIDE magazine recently got a look at General Motors' new Quadrasteer system. It works well, providing a much tighter turning circle and consequently easier parking.

Just when Quadrasteer might be available is a bit hazy now, GM saying only that the feature could arrive in two years time. Industry insiders tip that GMC, the company's "premium truck" brand, would offer it before Chevrolet, and probably on big pickups rather than full-size SUVs. Still, where GMC leads, Chevy trucks usually follow, so Silverados might well be available with Quadrasteer by 2004.