The Chevrolet Silverado has captured record sales in recent years thanks to the recent redesign of the 2019 model. Since then, the Silverado has gained notoriety for its welcomed refinements, updated technology, and a wider range of trim levels that now nearly match that of its not-so-distant counterpart, the GMC Sierra.
For the highest trim level, the Chevrolet Silverado High Country, which I found in my possession this week, brings a luxury attitude like what is found in the GMC Sierra Denali, which both have a similar pricing structure. With such, the Silverado’s lines have been blurred when compared with the GMC Sierra, which can be a good thing for those devoted to the Chevy brand.
Chevrolet does something special with the Silverado High Country, as I found in my recent reviews of the Chevrolet Suburban High Country, which offers trim level with the best that the brand has to offer. Starting with the highly praised 6.2-liter V8 engine, which is a popular option for the Silverado, and 10-speed automatic transmission, the Silverado High Country is quite the performer with a welcomed level of predictability in its optional 6.2-liter powertrain. That predictability surrounds 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, getting the Silverado High Country up to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. You can still opt for the base 5.3-liter V8 or 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel powertrain setup and save about $2,000 for either over the 6.2-liter V8.
Power from the 6.2-liter V8 comes on strong just off idle with a strong surge of power but followed up with an assured footing on the pavement from the Silverado’s four-wheel-drive system if you enable the Automatic 4WD setting. Being that the Silverado High Country is more tailored as a luxurious truck, its suspension isn’t raised, and the 22-inch Bridgestone Alenza tires are more suited for street and some light off-roading duties. However, the Silverado High Country still has an off-roading drive mode and its transfer case for switching 4-high or a 4-low drive setting.
See Also: 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 Review & Test Drive
As a truck more suited for daily commutes and travel, the suspension does well to smooth out road imperfections and keep the body in control, which is done in milliseconds through the Adaptive Ride Control that features GM’s Magnetic Ride Control dampers. Capability in the plush Silverado High Country isn’t compromised as you can still tow up to 9,200 pounds with the max trailering package and max out with a payload of around 2,000 pounds, which is slightly more than many competitors, including the GMC Sierra Denali cousin (tows 8,900 pounds w/ max trailering package).
Fuel consumption is mostly on a level playing field where it doesn’t depart far from its stated EPA figures of 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The cylinder deactivation and auto start/stop feature aid in hitting those figures, which are easily attainable in the real world when you’re not towing. Thanks to a 24-gallon fuel tank, you have a decent cruising range of about 500 miles.
For the Chevy Silverado redesign in 2019, many welcomed changes took place inside the popular full-size truck. The reworking of instrumentation and use of a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, along with the 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen on all trim levels starting with the LT and above, is appealing. Moreover, the infotainment system is very responsive and user-friendly, and having the integration of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto only adds to my high praise of the Silverado’s interior. The only thing I wish would be changed is having a tuning knob for easier navigation of some screens, such as changing the stations of the 7-speaker Bose premium audio system.
The Chevrolet Silverado High Country bundles many luxury features that other trim levels have as standalone options. Many of those features, again, start to blur the lines between moving to a GMC Sierra Denali, which is almost an identical proposition with only the Sierra Denali Ultimate trim being a little more special.
The new Silverado, as explained in my previous reviews, offers a spacious cabin with plentiful power seat adjustments up front. The heated and ventilated seats up front do seem on the harder side when compared to other luxury trucks. The Silverado High Country seems to make up for that with the collective if its luxury-like creature comforts, such as the optional and well-proven Super Cruise hands-free driving system, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power-retractable running board side assist steps, enhanced LED headlights, and the unique leather accents throughout.
There’s a respected standard safety blanket that encompasses the new Chevrolet Silverado, and the High Country trim expands on that slightly with front/rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning/keeping assist, surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and the optional Super Cruise system on my test vehicle.
There are only subtle differences between the Chevrolet Silverado High Country and GMC Sierra Denali, with the Denali having only a small edge for its luxury disposition. However, the Silverado High Country brings all the same essentials for being a luxurious truck at a slightly smaller price tag, coming in at $75,745 for my test vehicle. A comparable GMC Sierra Denali will cost about $5,000 more, and a 2024 Ram 1500 Limited will cost about $78,990 with similar equipment.
