The U.S. News auto review crew took a close look at the High Country this past week on their blog and highlighted the abundance of space as a front-and-center feature. Once inside, you immediately sense the presence of the premium leather upholstery, which guarantees the High Country's resid
ence in the “country club” variety of today’s awesome truck offerings. Heated and ventilated front seats add another sweet dimension of comfort to the ride, while the dual-zone automatic climate control keeps you comfortable no matter what condition Mother Nature doles out.
Screen size has been getting larger and larger with each annual auto release, and the Silverado High Country follows that trend courtesy of its 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Another optional interior feature that we'd recommend in conjunction with the coming of spring is the power sunroof, along with the power-retractable assist cab steps. The High Country arrives standard out of the gate with GM’s 5.3-liter V8, which has been praised for its tremendous all-around performance.
There are also the additional options of the 3.0-liter Duramax Turbodiesel or the upgraded 6.2-liter gas V8. The 10-speed automatic transmission paired with these powertrains does a class-leading job of managing power while delivering very smooth and instantaneous acceleration. The Turbodiesel claims the most efficient spot, offering fuel economy estimates of up to 24 mpg in the city, and up to 29 mpg on the highway. The gas V8s follow closely behind, returning up to 17 mpg in the city, and up to 21 mpg on the highway.
Tackling off-road terrain has become much more popular over the past decade, as everyday truck owners realized that slapping on some durable extras will properly equip them for the challenges of the trail. The Z71 Package handles this hefty business with its heavy-duty skid plates, hill descent control, and powerful air filter. The Silverado 1500 also has earned top marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five out of five stars as a badge of honor regarding overall safety rating. Some standard safety features present in the Silverado 1500 include lane-keep assist and lane-departure warnings, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
The Topspeed.com review crew deemed the Silverado 1500 High Country as a major success due to its “Top notch interior, functional features and accessories, and stout engine options.” Taking to the highway will still boast a sense of smooth familiarity, as the body-on-frame characteristics have a huge sway on overall demeanor. Their testing experts also employed the Max Trailering package, which boasts an upgraded radiator, 220-amp alternator, a wider rear axle, revised shock settings, and heavy-duty rear springs.
While this thrilled team was winding through corners, they maintained a sure-footedness that provided solid reassurance and excellent maneuverability despite the truck’s size. If you happen to overheat your brakes while carrying heavy loads or towing, the High Country will display a dashboard notification, and impose a 45-mph speed limiter until the situation cools down a bit. The optional Multiflex tailgate folds down for easier bed access and is particularly useful when loading large gear or quickly needing to hop inside the truck bed.