High Country 4X4 First Impressions

fish_guru · October 19, 2018

Picked up a new High Country 4X4 in Satin Steel last week. I went to the dealer looking for an LTZ that was loaded with the 5.3 but they didn't have one I liked but they did have a High Country 4X4 6.2L that was only 4K more that I really liked. Thankfully my wife says, "it's only money, get what you want." Don't mind if I do, thanks honey!

I traded in my 07 Silverado LT (new body style), so yeah, big difference.

So far, so good. I love the new truck.

Like someone else said here, the truck tires were over inflated upon delivery and the ride was a little harsh because of it.

The 10 speed tranny has been phenomenal. Night and day compared to the old truck. It is very busy but the only way you'll know is by watching the tach because the shifts are silky smooth. I've had one harsh downshift but other than that, smooth sailing.

The 6.2 seems great. I say 'seems' because I'm trying to be good and break it in properly but this thing wants to run. It has balls in spades. The one time I had to stomp on it to make a pass, it downshifted immediately, and the truck explosively accelerated subsequently scaring the crap out of my 8 year old daughter at first...now she wants me to do it all the time.

This truck handles much better than my '07. Much better turning radius.

Coming from an '07, the technology in the truck is somewhat overwhelming at first but I'm getting used to it.

The only issue I've had is that the plastic cover for seat tilt adjuster was missing on the drivers side seat but the dealer is supposed to have it today.

The auto start/stop never comes on. I live in South Florida and we pretty much use AC almost year round. The manual indicates that the engine may not turn off when the AC is running.

I like the interior. Like I said, had an '07 LT, so to me, it feels like I'm in a Cadillac. I also like the that High Country had other options than that 'basketball' orange colored leather. I've only seen High Country's with the orange leather so I'm not sure if it was offered in other colors before. Mine has a dark gray colored leather. I'm still debating whether to go with seat covers (dogs and kid)...I've always had them but it seems like a sacrilege to cover the leather plus I worry that it will negate the benefit of having the ventilated seats. Living in South Florida I can't even begin to explain how good it feels to have cool air blowing on your back and arse when you hop into a hot truck. CoverKing has a fabric called 'spacer mesh' that seems promising. I'm still waiting on fabric samples from them. Plus I definitely want to cover the center console as I know between sunscreen and sweat, it's only a matter of time before the leather becomes discolored/damaged on the side where my arm will rest. I put Husky Liners on the floors. They look good and fit perfectly.

The Bose sound system is great. The sound is very crisp. A definite step up for me.

I love the remote up and down tailgate. It has already proven itself useful.

Tinted the front windows. Why don't they just come like that?

I have a Retrax Pro MX bed cover on the way.

Any questions, fire away.

f8l vnm · October 19, 2018

Beautiful ride my freind. Congrats are in order. Yeah I agree you earned it ? enjoy!

Sierra Dan · October 19, 2018

Great review and writeup Fish Guru. Congrats!

Wonderful looking truck as well!

The Satin Steel is a clean, modern looking color.

DougFL · October 19, 2018

Congrats! You will find that once you reach the set cabin temperature the Auto Start/Stop will kick in even in FL! I notice mine shuts off but typically restarts, before the complete traffic light cycle, if it senses cabin temp has went above the setting.

z1boss · October 19, 2018

Excellent honest review! Enjoy the truck!

GRUNT33 · October 19, 2018

I purchased my High Country 3 weeks ago and recently leveled along with adding new tires (33s).. Enjoy it...

fish_guru · October 20, 2018

Ron, your truck looks awesome! Enjoy.

One other criticism I have is that I wish the side view mirrors had blind spot mirrors incorporated into them. My truck does have the blind spot indicator safety feature (two little yellow/orange lights illuminate when a vehicle enters your blind spot) and they seem to function well enough but I still have doubts about using them. I know my eyes work so I'd like a mirror. In addition, I still have to look at the corner of the mirror anyway to see the lights so why no mirror? I'm also worried about it not detecting motorcycles, small vehicles and long flat trailers.

Perhaps I'll learn to trust it but right now I don't.

magnum74 · October 20, 2018

44 minutes ago, fish_guru said:

Ron, your truck looks awesome! Enjoy.

One other criticism I have is that I wish the side view mirrors had blind spot mirrors incorporated into them. My truck does have the blind spot indicator safety feature (two little yellow/orange lights illuminate when a vehicle enters your blind spot) and they seem to function well enough but I still have doubts about using them. I know my eyes work so I'd like a mirror. In addition, I still have to look at the corner of the mirror anyway to see the lights so why no mirror? I'm also worried about it not detecting motorcycles, small vehicles and long flat trailers.

Perhaps I'll learn to trust it but right now I don't.

It took me years to start trusting a backup camera but I'm used to it now. I find I still don't use it much, though. Must be an old guy thing.

newdude · October 20, 2018

Nice truck. Satin Steel by far one of my favorites.

Tint laws in the Fifty Nifty is why those fronts don't have bark tint on them. They are 70-75% light transmission.

dmax_ty · October 21, 2018

Truck looks great! Congrats on the purchase and hopefully it treats you well. That 6.2 is an absolute beast and satin steel is the best looking color that comes on the 19s.

I’m jealous.