Just as Pontiac cars once were hammered for the constant use of ‘cladding’ – the plastic covering on side body exterior panels – another GM division re-evaluates the cladding. So for 2003, the Chevy Avalanche truck can be purchased with or without the cladding. When on the vehicle, the cladding is a deeper shade of gray than in 2002.Avalanche serves up a number of additional changes for 2003, including a redesigned gauge cluster, improved braking ‘pedal feel’, and the 100 digital channel XM satellite radio. A new $700-plus convenient package (replacing ZM9) provides adjustable power brake and accelerator pedals, multi-zone automatic climate control, steering wheel mounted controls, and more. Avalanche tosses in so many feature items – like optional high-back bucket leather seats with fabric inserts on the upper seatbacks and mid-front seat bottoms (great choice for the high-use/easily stained areas) – it’s easy to tell this is not your average full-size truck interior. There’s plenty of rear passenger room, and back seat occupants are never more than an arm’s length from cup holders. Avalanche’s big differentiator is the Convert-A-Cab System. With a few adjustments, the vehicle transforms itself. With midgate lowered and rear seat folded, create an 8-foot-1 inch truck bed. The Avalanche 1500 four-wheel-drive with 5.3-liter V8 engine mated to four-speed automatic transmission reaps mild per gallon fuel economy numbers of 13 city/17 highway. MSRP for Avalanche 1500 4WD with 5.3-liter 285 horsepower V8 is $34,705.