I looked at a first generation Avalanche 3/4 ton 4x4 with an 8.1. Man what a truck! The Avalanche is a great concept. You get a regular cab longbed or a crew cab shortbed all in one truck. Really like it. Two problems with it though. First it was ugly as all get out. Way too much gray plastic. Secondly it was too expensive for my taste. The cost was over $40K.
The second generation is marginally better in the looks department, at least they got rid of the gray plastic cladding. However they're still too damn expensive.
It would be nice if the Avalanche was available in a work truck trim level. Vinyl seats, AM/FM, manual windows and locks, rubber floor, etc. Get the price down to a reasonable level. Landscaping is tough on trucks.