To quote a phrase from an old Nissan commercial, "America loves trucks." There is no stronger evidence of this than the fact that the two top-selling vehicles in the nation are both large pickups: the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado. Furthermore, the Dodge Ram ranks third or fourth, depending on the month.

It used to be that these three domestic makes (along with GMC, whose Sierra is a near clone of the Chevy Silverado) had the full-size pickup game to themselves. But that changed when Toyota introduced the Tundra for 2000 and Nissan followed with the Titan four years later. Other recent additions include the Chevrolet Avalanche, a crew cab with an unusual "midgate" that opens a passage from the bed to the cab; and Lincoln's Mark LT, essentially a luxury-trimmed Ford F-150 crew cab. Note that Cadillac offers a dressed-up version of the Chevy Avalanche as the Escalade EXT, but we group it with other Escalades as a large sport-utility vehicle.

Cool Large Pickup Truck Features

-  Chevrolet Avalanche and Chevrolet Silverado/ GMC Sierra offer a flex-fuel V8 that can run on E85 gasoline/ethanol mix; they also offer OnStar assistance. - Chevrolet Silverado/ GMC Sierra have "light" hybrid versions that shut down the engine at stoplights and include an engine-driven 2500-watt generator. - Chevrolet Avalanche offers driver-seat memory, rearview camera, and remote engine start. - Dodge Ram is available with U-Connect wireless cell phone link and in hot-rod SRT10 versions powered by a 500-hp V10 engine. - Ford F-150 offers a Harley-Davidson model with special trim and equipment. - Nissan's Titan can be fitted with a locking storage box in the side of the pickup bed, as well as a fold-flat front passenger's seat.

Payload and Towing
While all three domestic makes offer heavy-duty, three-quarter, and one-ton versions of their trucks, we're covering only the popular half-ton large pickups in this article. Payload capacity generally starts at about 1200 lbs, but in most cases can be increased significantly with optional heavy-duty suspensions. Standard towing capacity ranges from about 4500 lbs to 8700 lbs, but likewise can be increased in some models with an optional trailer towing package.

Be warned that raising the payload rating generally requires stiffer rear springs that tend to result in a rougher ride and more lateral "skipping" around bumpy corners, traits that are already a problem in lightly loaded pickups.

Redesigns
Trucks tend to go longer between updates than do cars, but a number of pickups are being redesigned for the 2007 model year. The new '07 Chevrolet Avalanche is going on sale in the summer of 2006 and is the model we're describing here. Chevy's Silverado and the similar GMC Sierra will also be new for 2007, but since they aren't scheduled to go on sale until late 2006, we're covering the '06 models. Ditto for Toyota's Tundra, though the new model might not arrive until early in calendar '07.

Best Buys

Chevrolet Silverado Ford F-150 GMC Sierra 1500

Recommended Picks

Dodge Ram 1500 Nissan Titan Toyota Tundra

Drive Wheels
All pickups are available in rear- or four-wheel drive, but not all these systems are created equal. Rear-drive versions can benefit from traction control, which limits tire slip when accelerating on slippery surfaces. It's offered on all models but the Dodge Ram. Most standard four-wheel-drive systems should be switched off on dry pavement to avoid driveline binding and excessive wear. But GM's Autotrac 4WD--available on the Chevy Avalanche and Silverado, and the GMC Sierra--can be left engaged on dry pavement, as can Dodge Ram's available all-wheel-drive system.

Cab Choices
All regular-cab models have two doors except the Ford F-150, which adds a pair of rear-hinged "quarter doors" in the back of the cab. They're similar to the "half doors" found in extended-cab trucks but smaller; and like those on extended cabs, the front door needs to be opened first. In either case, this arrangement can make it difficult to access the rear cargo area in tight quarters. For instance, if you have a shopping cart and another vehicle is parked next to you, opening first the front door and then the rear door forms a "box" that leaves the cart on the outside, where you can't reach it. The rear doors on the Nissan Titan King Cab (extended cab) open wide enough to fold back against the cargo bed, but the thickness of the door still might prevent a cart from being passed between the door and another vehicle.

That situation poses no problem for crew cabs with their conventional front hinged rear doors, which is one reason they've become so popular. Another is that they usually have greater rear-seat leg room and a more comfortable seatback angle. While all but the Dodge Ram Quad Cab offer ample space for even lanky adults, Dodge leapfrogged the others for 2006 with the Mega Cab, which gives rear seaters limousinelike room.

Equipment Offerings
Two-door regular cabs used to dominate the pickup market, but no longer; in fact, Nissan doesn't even offer one, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a regular-cab Tundra at a Toyota dealer. The current trend is toward five- and six-passenger extended cabs and crew cabs, which indicates that pickups aren't just for hauling any more. So does the fact they're available with all the usual creature comforts found in cars: leather upholstery, heated front seats, DVD entertainment, and a sunroof are offered on all entries, and several have optional power-adjustable pedals and a navigation system.

Where pickups as a whole lag a bit is in safety features; many of those offered in nearly all cars haven't yet saturated the large pickup market. ABS is universal, but the combination of an antiskid system, side airbags, and curtain side airbags are available only on the Chevy Avalanche, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra. The top-selling Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra offer none of the above, while the Dodge Ram offers only curtain side airbags. Rear obstacle detection is optional on the Avalanche, F-150, Mark LT, and Titan.

Cargo Beds
Pickup trucks have been more about hauling people lately than hauling cargo, but most buyers want a vehicle with an open bed for a reason. Generally speaking, regular-cab beds come in both 6.5- and 8-foot lengths. Exceptions are the Titan, which has only a 6.5-foot bed, and the Tundra, which comes only with an 8-foot bed. Extended cabs typically have a bed of about 6.5 feet; the Silverado/Sierra and F-150 offer an 8-foot bed as well, and F-150 also has a 5.5-foot bed. Crew cabs tend to have shorter beds of 5.5 to 6.1 feet. However, Dodge Ram Quad Cab offers an 8-ft bed, F-150 offers a 6.5 footer, and Avalanche's 5.3-foot bed can be extended to 8.1 feet by folding down the rear seatback, removing the rear window, and opening the midgate that separates the cab and the bed.

Note that all Ford beds have taller-than-normal side walls; great if you need to carry a full load of mulch, awkward if you're trying to reach over the side to remove something from the bed. Note also that the Avalanche comes with a hard three-piece tonneau covering the bed.

Various bed lengths allow these big pickups to be tailored for specific loads--or to fit in a specific garage. Since some of these trucks stretch to well over 20 feet in length, measuring its intended parking space before buying might be a wise idea.

Some Recommendations
None of the full-size pickups currently on the market is a standout in every area. That may change with the next generations of some trucks that should appear by the end of 2006 or early '07. So if possible, this might be a good time to wait.

But if you can't, certain priorities might steer you toward certain vehicles. Four-wheel drive is a necessity to some, and those systems that can be left engaged on dry pavement are a real advantage. They're found on trucks from GM (Chevy and GMC) and Dodge.

From a safety standpoint, side airbags and curtain side airbags are no guarantee of better protection, but they have demonstrated their worth in many side-impact tests, and might be particularly valuable in vehicles prone to rollovers--such as trucks. Ditto for an antiskid system. But the combination of all three is only available on the Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, and 2007 Chevy Avalanche.

Those with sharp eyes and a good memory will notice there is only one vehicle that appears on both lists: the 2007 Chevy Avalanche. But as it comes only in a crew cab with a small (but expandable) bed, some might not even consider it a real truck--or at least not a truck that fits their needs.

The point is, even when only these features are considered, there is no clear choice. And there are lots of other things to bear in mind.

If you're buying a regular-cab two-wheel-drive pickup for hauling, the Ford F-150 has some advantages. Its longer cab and rear access doors make it easier to store items inside, and its taller bed walls might help keep equipment like wheelbarrows from falling out.

If you need sizeable hauling capability while carrying more than two people, those who have to sit in back will thank you for buying a domestic pickup. Neither the Nissan Titan nor the Toyota Tundra offer beds of more than 6.5 feet on their extended cabs, and their rear seats aren't as accommodating as those in pickups from GM and Ford. Dodge's Quad Cab matches its domestic rivals, plus offers more convenient front-hinged rear doors-in the same overall length.

Crew-cab choices are harder to narrow down-unless you want the gargantuan rear seat room afforded only by the Dodge Mega Cab. The most refined and carlike is the Toyota Tundra, though the Ford F-150 comes close, and offers a convenient overhead-rail system in the cab that allows custom mounting of a variety of accessories. But when it comes to versatility, nothing can match the 2007 Chevy Avalanche. Yes, its 5.3-foot bed is short, but it's the only half-ton crew cab that can swallow a 4x8 sheet of plywood by opening its exclusive midgate. And an engine able to run on E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) is available at no charge-making it a no-brainer-which might carry more importance as the years roll on.

 If accolades for the 2007 Avalanche sound familiar, they should: It was the only truck to offer all-surface 4WD and an antiskid system along with side and curtain-side airbags. While it may not be the best pickup for everybody, it offers a range of features and capabilities no other truck in this class can match.

2006 Chevrolet Avalanche Base Price Range: $34,010-$38,420 EPA MPG Range: 14-19 Body Style: crew cab Although the 2007 Avalanche is what's discussed in this report, there may still be some '06s remaining on dealers' lots. Though the '07 represents a redesign, it's quite similar to the '06 in spirit and features. However, the '06 lacks the newer model's available curtain side airbags, an important safety feature. Avalanche marries big-SUV passenger room and comfort with big pickup utility in a solid package. Just beware of seriously bad weather or really messy loads with the midgate fully open.

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche Base Price Range: $31,615-$35,295 EPA MPG Range: NA Body Style: crew cab Though we haven't had the opportunity to evaluate the redesigned '07 Avalanche, its size, styling theme, and powertrain carry over with few changes. Its midgate is unique among full-size pickups, giving it passenger/cargo versatility unmatched by any rival in this class.

Chevrolet Silverado Base Price Range: $15,840-$36,165 EPA MPG Range: 14-23 Body Styles: regular cab, extended cab, crew cab Silverado and GMC Sierra offer models to fit most every need, top-flight powertrains, hospitable interiors, and the advantage of 4WD that can be used on dry pavement. Competitive pricing ices their Best Buy status.

Dodge Ram Base Price Range: $21,150-$51,810 EPA MPG Range: 9-21 Body Styles: regular cab, crew cab Ram's "big-rig" styling shouts for attention, but its performance, comfort, and solidity are what make it a Recommended choice. There are body styles and equipment to meet most every need, plus the praiseworthy availability of curtain side airbags and AWD. Ram's SRT10 version is the hot rod pickup performance leader.

Ford F-150 Base Price Range: $18,930-$40,055 EPA MPG Range: 14-20 Body Styles: regular cab, extended cab, crew cab Some rivals top Ford with features such as curtain side airbags and 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement. But F-150 brings its share of innovation to the big-pickup field; and its passenger room, refinement, and on-road composure are first rate. Add in frequent discounts to already competitive pricing, and this is a solid Best Buy.

GMC Sierra Base Price Range: $15,840-$38,755 EPA MPG Range: 12-23 Body Styles: regular cab, extended cab, crew cab Sierra and sibling Chevrolet Silverado boast top-flight powertrains, models to fit most any need, hospitable interiors, and the advantage of 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement. Competitive pricing ices this Best Buy selection, with Sierra Denali a special confection for well-heeled luxury oriented power lovers.

Lincoln Mark LT Base Price Range: $38,680-$42,235 EPA MPG Range: 14-19 Body Style: crew cab Lincoln shouldn't be faulted for taking advantage of a ready market niche with a gilded version of the solid Ford F-150 SuperCrew. It can be faulted for doing virtually nothing to upgrade the interior to truly premium levels of feel and function. Where it really disappoints is in denying the LT important features expected at this market strata: an antiskid system, curtain side airbags, all-wheel drive, and an engine distinct from that available in an F-150.

Nissan Titan Base Price: $23,400-$35,900 EPA MPG Range: 14-19 Body Styles: extended cab, crew cab Titan is strong competition for large domestic pickups in performance, comfort, utility, and available safety features. Some buyers may miss a regular-length cab and longer cargo beds, but this brawny Nissan has a lot to like. It earns our Recommended approval.

Toyota Tundra Base Price: $16,155-$33,575 EPA MPG Range: 15-22 Body Styles: regular cab, extended cab, crew cab Tundra doesn't offer as much power as most other big pickups, so it's less of a workhorse. Still, it earns our Recommended badge for the usual Toyota virtues of high refinement, solid workmanship, and an enviable reputation for reliability and resale value.

Large Pickup Truck Specification Comparison

Vehicle	Wheel-base, in.	Length, in.	Curb Weight, lb.	Maximum Payload	Fuel Capacity, gal.	Front Head Room, in.	Front Leg Room, in.	Rear Head Room, in.	Rear Leg Room, in.
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche crew cab	130.0	221.3	5478	1355	31.5	41.1	41.3	40.0	39.1
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reg. cab 6.5-ft bed	119.0	202.9	4211	1889	26.0	41.0	41.3	NA	NA
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reg. cab 8.0-ftbed	133.0	221.9	43.48	2052	34.0	41.0	41.3	NA	NA
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ext. cab5.8-ft bed	134.0	217.9	4760	1440	26.0	41.0	41.3	38.4	33.7
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ext. cab 6.5-ft bed	143.5	227.4	4625	1875	26.0	41.0	41.3	38.4	33.7
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab	143.5	227.5	4987	1913	26.0	40.7	41.3	40.2	39.1
Dodge Ram 1500 reg. cab short bed	120.5	207.7	4560	1480	26.0	40.9	41.0	NA	NA
Dodge Ram 1500 reg. cab long bed	140.5	229.7	4785	1820	35.0	40.9	41.0	NA	NA
Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab short bed	140.5	227.7	4952	1760	26.0	40.8	41.0	40.0	36.7
Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab crew cab	160.5	247.7	6082	2430	35.0	40.8	41.0	40.5	44.2
Ford F-150 reg.cabshort bed	126.0	211.2	4615	1890	26.0	40.9	41.3	NA	NA
Ford F-150 reg. cab long bed	144.5	229.8	4747	3020	27.0	40.9	41.3	NA	NA
Ford F-150 ext. cab 5.5-ft bed	132.5	217.8.	4979	1740	26.0	40.9	41.3	39.6	32.7
Ford F-150 ext. cab 6.5-ft bed	144.5	229.8	5065	1820	27.0	40.9	41.3	39.6	32.7
Ford F-150 crew cab	138.5	224.0	5176	1710	30.0	41.1	41.3	39.6	39.0
GMC Sierra 1500 reg. cab 6.5-ft bed	119.0	202.9	4211	1889	26.0	41.0	41.3	NA	NA
GMC Sierra 1500 reg. cab 8.0-ft bed	133.0	221.9	4348	2052	34.0	41.0	41.3	NA	NA
GMC Sierra 1500 ext. cab 5.8-ft bed	134.0	217.9	4760	1440	26.0	41.0	41.3	38.4	33.7
GMC Sierra 1500 ext. cab 6.5-ft bed	143.5	227.4	4625	1875	26.0	41.0	41.3	38.4	33.7
GMC Sierra 1500 ext. cab 8.0-ft bed	157.5	246.6	4894	1806	34.0	41.0	41.3	38.4	33.7
GMC Sierra 1500crewcab	143.5	227.5	4987	1913	26.0	40.7	41.3	40.2	39.1
Lincoln Mark LT crew cab	138.5	223.8	5312	1620	30.0	40.1	41.3	39.6	39.0
Nissan Titan ext. cab	139.8	224.2	4894	1529	28.0	41.0	41.8	38.9	33.0
Nissan Titan crew cab	139.8	224.2	4837	1587	28.0	41.0	41.8	40.4	40.4
Toyota Tundra reg. cab long bed	128.3	218.3	3935	2025	26.4	40.3	41.5	NA	NA
Toyota Tundra ext. cabshort bed	128.3	218.3	4170	1840	26.4	40.3	41.5	38.3	28.6
Toyota Tundra crew cab	140.5	230.1	4765	1835	26.4	41.2	41.6	40.2	37.5