Initial Impression…
I loved the Silverado High Country right off the bat. There’s tons of ‘wow’ factor for buyers who want a little more luxury in their truck. And there’s a massive amount of daily capability & versatility. 4-wheel-drive. 22-inch wheels with low-profile all-terrains. Let’s put it to use.
1 week later…
Honestly – you’ll probably take to the Silverado High Country like a fish to water. Maybe a little too much chrome for my personal taste… but who cares. Because the High Country does everything so well, it’s almost hard to truly appreciate how nice it really is, until you get back into your own car/truck. It really is the answer. But first, let’s start with a couple petty criticisms… just so we can get ‘em out of the way.
The hood-design on these GM trucks is pretty bold & prominent, and it causes visibility to get a little compromised from the front/passenger corner… especially when taking right turns into tighter parking lots. To be clear, you’ll get used to it. I’m just mentioning it – so you don’t initially get deterred on a test drive.
The other thing: This High Country is a top-of-the-line $65,000 truck… that still doesn’t offer push-start ignition. Meaning – you cannot get into the truck by touching a button/sensor on the door handle… instead you still have to pull the key out of your pocket, and hit the lock/unlock button every time. You also don’t have blindspot monitors. I know I know – this ain’t some candy-ass Kia haha. I get it. But would kinda expect blindspot monitors & push-button-start in a $65,000 cruise ship. If for no other reason, just as ‘gift wrap’ type of features.
OK – so other than those two whiny criticisms, GM makes a hell of a truck through & through.
Interior
The Interior of the High Country is top-of-the-line. Obviously, it’s insanely spacious. GM is still using the column shift lever over a console shifter. Some may criticize that as being outdated… but it DOES open up more center console space. The air conditioning could cool an entire Southern town. The seats are remarkably comfortable on long hauls, allowing you to relax in the thing & drive for hours without getting restless. The seats heat/cool from BOTH the ‘bottom’, and the ‘back’ portions of the seat. The sound system is killer. Our test vehicle was equipped with a rear DVD screen – making it the vehicle of choice for our 4-year-old daughter. And working the infotainment screen & controls up front is easy & intuitive… minus maybe a couple hiccups with that DVD player (which I’m sure I’d adapt to in real-life ownership). When the Silverado is in Park, it will allow a movie to play on the front screen as well as the rear, which is neat when you’re waiting in a parking lot… and also ‘bypass-able’ in the aftermarket.
Tonneau Cover
Whether or not you opt for the tonneau cover will depend on your needs. I never saw myself as a ‘tonneau cover’ type of guy, because of the height/cargo restriction. But this truck changed my perspective. Once you get used to the rhythm of having it, the thing is really versatile, and easy to fold/close/lock.
Lighting
The lighting on the High Country is top notch. The headlight output noticeably exceeded my expectations. The fog lights throw some serious light close-range in front of the truck. The only thing I really wish the Silverado offered… would be peripheral lights that illuminate when you pull into parking lots & parking spaces. Because with that bulging hood (especially if you add tinted windows), you’re flying blind at night in those tighter spaces.
Power – 420hp/460tq
The L86 6.2 option in the Silverado offers more than enough power for whatever you’re getting into. It’s basically an LT1 derivative, making the High Country is downright fast when you need it to be. Yet – with all that power, the Silverado seems to keep it’s cool. It moves effortlessly. We were running around getting 19MPGs all day. Drop to 13-ish with a car trailer. I like Ford’s turbo engines, but after spending so much time in the 6.2, there’s something to be said for good ol’ V8 power, maintenance, & durability.
Tow Mode
Tow Mode changes the shift points, in order to adapt to the load of a trailer. But there are also clever little features that I noticed GM engineered into the system. For example, when you tap/bump the turn signal in most newer cars… it automatically flashes 3-times, right? Well in Tow Mode, the Silverado will auto-flash 6-times, anticipating the longer lane changes you’re going to need with a trailer.
In short, Chevrolet has a truck for everyone. And the Silverado High Country is for a consumer who wants a capable, long-lasting truck… without sacrificing refinement, comfort, and convenience. The modern truck segment is very competitive. Buy the one that fits you best. And rest assured, that you’re not gonna go wrong with a Silverado.
