The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door, five or six passenger sport utility truck sharing GM's

General Motors

General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...

 long-wheelbase chassis used on the Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet offered a station wagon body, built on the 1/2 ton truck frame. This model was specifically built for National Guard units and Civilian Conservation Corps units. Much of the body was constructed from wood, and could seat up to eight occupants....

 and Cadillac Escalade EXT. Unlike the typical pickup truck, the open bed of the Avalanche opens to the back seat area through a folding panel (marketed as a 'mid-gate') and a removable rear window. A series of three removable panels form a watertight cover for the cargo bed.