Test Drive: Avalanche is a too-small temptress

— -- Chevrolet Avalanche, a version of the re-engineered full-size pickups and SUVs that General Motors began selling late last year, has a remarkably engaging driving persona and could be a terrific truck.

If the back seat had more room. And the front seats were more comfortable. And the fuel economy were better.

And the price for a deluxe version — the one with the stuff you want — weren't creeping so close to $50,000.

Despite those significant drawbacks, Avalanche has its allure.

• It no longer looks ugly. The redesign that it shares with all of GM's full-size trucks for 2007 helps greatly. Plus, Chevy discontinued the grotesque side cladding. Only about 20% were opting for the cladding after it was made optional in 2003, says Carl Hillenbrand, product manager for the Chevy Silverado pickup now; same job for Avalanche before that.

• It's clever, as always. The modified cargo box has deep, covered side compartments that will hold a lot of beverage containers, some groceries or truck supplies, such as spare oil, tow ropes and the like. They have drains, so you can fill them with ice and use them as coolers. The three-piece hard tonneau cover seals the cargo box, making it useful as an enormous trunk. It's a handful to take off or put back on, though.

The signature feature — movable passenger-compartment rear bulkhead — allows Avalanche to be used as a crew-cab (five- or six-passenger) pickup with short box (5 feet 4 inches) or a regular-cab (two- or three-passenger) pickup with long box (8 feet 2 inches).

To transform the truck, fold the rear seat cushions forward. Fold the rear back rest down. Unlatch the rear bulkhead and fold it down. That configuration, with the hard tonneau over the cargo box, provides secure storage for long items. You also can remove and stow the rear window for wide-open access.

• It's a new GM truck. That means it has a premium interior; a smooth ride; agile handling, especially for a machine of its size; and a collection of optional and standard features desirable enough that they can tempt you to overlook the drawbacks. For instance: GM's 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. OnStar emergency calling system. Remote-control engine start. Easy-to-program driver information center, trip computer and vehicle personalization system. Smooth, powerful V-8 engine. Easy-to-use four-wheel drive with automatic setting not found in other pickups.