Automotive critics from throughout the U.S. were invited to test all of the competitors side by side in the controlled confines of General Motors 4,000-acre Michigan Proving Grounds. They were given the opportunity to tow, brake, accelerate and literally put the trucks through their paces side-by-side under the same conditions and over the same roads. All trucks were spec'd as closely as possible to recreate the same comparison the consumer would face in the marketplace. Tests included traction control, ride and handling, and especially important for pickup trucks, towing and trailering. The new head-to-head advertising trend forces competitors to prove their merit on a level playing field and allows consumers to view several competing brands at once.