Base Price Range: $37,670-$51,175
Body Type: Full-size Pickup
What's New: The Avalanche heads into 2012 without any real plans for the future. Changes are limited to an optional audio system with a 7-inch touch screen and built-in 80Gb hard drive, plus standard electronic trailer sway control and hill-start assist. All signs point to Chevrolet canceling the Avalanche within the next two years.
Cool Fact: There's no fuel-economy penalty on four-wheel-drive Avalanche models.
SUM UP: In need of direction, and soon.
Star Rating: **
| 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche |
| Base Engine: | 5.3L/320-hp/335-lb-ft V-8 |
| Opt Engine: | None |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, RWD/4WD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 8.4-8.8 sec |
| Tow/Payload: | 7900-8100/1300-1350 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 15/21 mpg |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: N/A |
2012 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
Base Price Range: $18,205-$32,520
Body Type: Compact Pickup
What's New: The rear-seat headrests are new on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. The manual transmission is now available only on Work Truck models, and an auto-locking rear differential is standard on all but Work Trucks and 2WD 1LT models. The 2LT models get bucket seats instead of a bench, and 4WD 1LT and 2LT models get standard towing equipment.
Avoid: Paying sticker price.
SUM UP: The end is nigh and overdue.
Star Rating: *
| 2012 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon |
| Base Engine: | 2.9L/185-hp/190-lb-ft I-4 |
| Opt Engines: | 3.7L/242-hp/242-lb-ft I-5; 5.3L/300-hp/320-lb-ft V-8 |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, RWD/4WD, 5M/4A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 6.9-10.9 sec |
| Tow/Payload: | 1900-6000/1150-1400 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 14-18/19-25 mpg |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 4; rear cam: N/A; BMS: N/A |
Base Price Range: $24,260-$31,700
Body Type: Midsize Crossover SUV
What's New: The Equinox is still early in its development cycle, so changes for 2012 are minimal. The base four-cylinder engine now comes with E85 FlexFuel capability standard, and all models get standard blind-spot mirrors. Collision and lane-departure warnings are now optional, as is Chevrolet's new MyLink wireless connectivity system.
Best Buy: Stick with the four-cylinder engine; the fuel economy tradeoff isn't worth the extra performance of the V-6.
SUM UP: The crossover done right.
Star Rating: ***1/2
| 2012 Chevrolet Equinox |
| Base Engine: | 2.4L/182-hp/172-lb-ft I-4 |
| Opt Engine: | 3.0L/264-hp/222-lb-ft V-6 |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, FWD/AWD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 8.1-9.6 sec* |
| Tow/Payload: | 1500-3500/1200 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 16-22/23-32 mpg |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: N/A |
| *Estimated |
Base Price Range: $25,500-$36,000 (est)
Whats' New: The Duramax diesel is available on 3500 passenger vans. The 4.8L is standard on the 2500 passenger van. StabiliTrak is standard, and locking differential is available on all models. OnStar 9.0 is standard on passenger, available on cargo and some cutaways. Digital radio is optional, with XM and Bluetooth available. Mobile WiFi is a dealer-installed option.
COOL FACT: Duramax V-8 diesel in heavy-duty vans has 660 lb-ft of torque.
SUM UP: Old school cargo/passenger transport.
Star Rating: ***
| 2012 Chevrolet Express |
| Base Engine | 4.3L/195-hp OHV V-6 |
| Optional Engine | 4.8L/280-hp OHV V-8; 5.3L/ 310-hp OHV V-8; 6.0L/323-hp OHV V-8; 6.6L/365-hp t-diesel OHV V-8 |
| Drivetrain | Front engine, RWD/AWD, 4A/6A |
| 0-60 MPH | 9.4-12.0 sec* |
| Seats/Foldway | 8-15/none |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 10-15/16-20 mpg (gas only) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety | ABS: S; Stab: S; Trac: S; Airbags: 2 |
| *Estimated |
Base Price Range: $22,500-$49,000 (est)
Body Type: Full-size Pickup
What's New: New grilles, bumpers, and wheels update the look of all models, while gas-powered Silverados get standard cruise control, spare tire lock, electronic trailer sway control, and hill-start assist for 2012. All models get an optional nav system with a CD/DVD player, USB port, and radio recording capability. SiriusXM weather service is also available.
Best Buy: XFE models will get you close to Hybrid fuel economy for thousands less.
SUM UP: Competitive but starting to fall behind.
Star Rating: ****
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado |
| Base Engine: | 4.3L/195-hp/260-lb-ft V-6 |
| Opt Engines: | 4.8L/302-hp/305-lb-ft V-8; 5.3L/315-hp/335-lb-ft V-8; 6.0L V-8 + elec, 332 hp; 6.2L/403-hp/417-lb-ft V-8 |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, RWD/4WD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 6.8-8.5 sec |
| Tow/Payload: | 5900-10,700/1500-2000 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 12-20/18-23 mpg |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: N/A |
2012 Chevrolet Silverado HD
Base Price Range: $29,500-$46,500 (est)
Body Type: Full-size Pickup
What's New: After a major update for 2011, the 2012 Silverado HD receives minor changes. Cruise control and a spare tire lock are standard, and the gasoline engine is now E85 FlexFuel capable. Larger, camper-style exterior mirrors are standard on 3500 models, and a nav system with built-in CD/DVD player and USB port is available on all models.
Cool Fact: The 7700-pound Silverado 3500 diesel reaches 60 mph faster than most compacts.
SUM UP: Motor Trend's 2011 Truck of the Year.
Star Rating: ****
| 2012 Chevrolet Silverado HD |
| Base Engine: | 6.0L/360-hp/380-lb-ft V-8 |
| Opt Engine: | 6.6L/397-hp/765-lb-ft t-diesel V-8 |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, RWD/4WD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 7.0-8.3 sec |
| Tow/Payload: | 9100-21,700/4050-6650 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | Not rated |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: N/A |
Base Price Range: $42,865-$58,760
What's New: Minor improvements are in store for the 2012 Suburban including a new hard-drive-based touch-screen nav system, standard electronic trailer sway control, and hill-start assist. A heated steering wheel and a second-row DVD entertainment system that can show two movies at once are optional.
Cool Fact: Suburban is the longest-running uninterrupted model name in history.
SUM UP: The SUV as only Chevy knows how.
Star Rating: ***1/2
| 2012 Chevrolet Suburban |
| Base Engine: | 5.3L/320-hp/335-lb-ft V-8 |
| Opt Engine: | 6.0L/352-hp/382-lb-ft V-8 |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, RWD/4WD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 7.8-8.8 sec |
| Tow/Payload: | 8000-9600/1500-2400 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 15/21 mpg (2500 N/A) |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: N/A |
Base Price Range: $39,400-$56,720
What's New: The Tahoe soldiers on without a major update. All models now get electronic trailer sway control and hill-start assist standard. A hard-drive-based touch-screen nav system with 80Gb of capacity is now optional on all models. Non-hybrids offer a heated steering wheel.
Best Buy: Unless you do lots of city driving, don't bother with the hybrid. EPA estimates suggest it could take more than 20 years to save enough money on gas to break even on the purchase price.
SUM UP: The more efficient and maneuverable Suburban.
Star Rating: ***1/2
| 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe |
| Base Engine: | 5.3L/320-hp/335-lb-ft V-8 |
| Opt Engine: | 6.0L V-8 + elec, 332 hp |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, RWD/4WD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 8.0-9.0 sec* |
| Tow/Payload: | 5900-8500/1400-1800 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 15-20/21-23 mpg |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: N/A |
| *Estimated |
Base Price Range: $30,240-$41,615
Body Type: Midsize Crossover SUV
What's New: Very little as the Traverse nears its next refresh. Dark Silver Metallic and Crystal Red Tintcoat are now available exterior colors. The 1LT and 2LT models get power, heated, body-color, manual-folding, and driver-side auto-dimming exterior mirrors while LTZ models get the same mirrors with a power-folding system.
Best Buy: Traverse 2LT models offer more style than base models and most available options for thousands less than the LTZ.
SUM UP: Far better than Chevy's minivan ventures.
Star Rating: ***
| 2012 Chevrolet Traverse |
| Base Engine: | 3.6L/281-288-hp/266-270-lb-ft V-6 |
| Opt Engine: | None |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, FWD/AWD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 7.7-8.2 sec |
| Tow/Payload: | 5200/1550-1750 lb |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 16-17/23-24 mpg |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: N/A |
2012 Chrysler Town & Country
Base Price Range: $30,830-$39,830
What's New: Extensively refreshed for 2011, the 2012 Town & Country features three new exterior colors and a revised interior lighting color, plus a new leather and wood steering wheel on Limited models. A heated steering wheel, roof rails that stow away, redesigned Stow 'n Go seating, and LED rear taillights conspire to keep the T&C relevant.
Cool Fact: The available Uconnect Web can turn your minivan into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
SUM UP: The original shows it can keep pace with the newcomers.
Star Rating: ****
| 2012 Chrysler Town & Country |
| Base Engine: | 3.6L/283-hp/260-lb-ft V-6 |
| Opt Engine: | None |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, FWD, 6A |
| 0-60 MPH: | 8.1 sec |
| Seats/Foldaway: | 7/2nd, 3rd row |
| EPA Econ City/Hwy: | 17/25 mpg |
| Basic Warranty: | 3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| Safety: | Airbags: 6; rear cam: O; BMS: O |