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.

Details on the entire 2001 Sierra line weren't available for this report, but GMC has confirmed that it will offer a new upscale model. Called Sierra C3, it's a half-ton extended-cab with the same powertrain as the revised '01 Yukon Denali/XL Denali, which means a 6.0-liter Vortec V8, 4-speed automatic transmission, and a full-time all-wheel-drive system with no separate transfer case or low-range gears. The 6.0-liter V8, which has so far been available only in heavier-duty Sierra models, makes 325 horsepower; the most power available in other half-tons is 285 from a 5.3-liter V8. Other no-cost C3 features include 17-inch alloy wheels with Michelin LTX tires, larger 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, heavy-duty towing package with 7-pin trailer harness and integrated hitch receiver, heated door mirrors with built-in "puddle" lamps, fog lamps, and a few styling touches that may also show up on other 2001 Sierras. Additional C3 standards inside include heated power front buckets with electric lumbar and bolster adjustments and driver-side position memory; 2-tone leather upholstery; a fold-down 3-place rear bench seat; 6-speaker audio with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, steering-wheel controls, and separate rear-seat controls; trip computer; compass and outside temperature displays; HomeLink remote door opener; GM's OnStar communications/assistance system, and child-seat anchors front and rear. Exterior colors are limited to pewter metallic, onyx black and polo green metallic. GMC's initial press announcement doesn't specify the number of doors, but we assume the C3 will be available in the standard 3-door cab configuration and optional 4-door version as other Sierra 1500s.