The Chevy Suburban High Country Is Big Stealth Luxury

“Baseball, hotdogs, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet.” That was Chevrolet’s tagline in the mid-70s when it equated the brand with the U.S.A. Chevrolet has always been a brand for the heart of America. It was at the bottom of the GM hierarchy when it was flush with brands with Pontiac, a small step up, Oldsmobile a step up again, Buick was “the Doctor’s Car” though presumably other professionals were welcome to buy one, and on top of it all was Cadillac. So, what is one to make of a Chevrolet with the luxury of a Cadillac? That is an apt description of the Suburban High Country, and this Barry’s Chevrolet post is here to tell you about it. 

Originating all the way back in 1935, even the name Suburban speaks of middle America. Not city, not country, but in the middle, the Suburbs, home of the station wagon to which the Suburban was among the first and has long been the largest. While Chevrolet models have always had a series of trim levels that stepped up in luxury and features, the High Country breaks new ground in that arena.

Handsome Exterior, Luxurious Interior

The High Country gives hints of its lofty status from the exterior. The bright finish on the grille, front air dam window trim, quad exhaust outlets, and other details, along with the standard 22-inch wheels, certainly make it a handsome vehicle. But the bowtie badge in the front and rear still communicates that this was a reasonable choice. 

It is inside the expansive cabin where the High Country overtly claims luxury. A Jet Black interior is available, but it is the Mocha that really makes the luxury statement. The seats are perforated leather with the High Country logo stitched into the headrests in the same color as the contrast stitching on the seats around the cabin. There are bigger screens in the industry, but the 10.2-inch center touchscreen is large enough to see everything easily and leaves plenty of room for physical HVAC buttons and knobs where you want them. If you actually are in the High Country during the winter, these knobs can easily be controlled with your gloves still on. 

In front of the driver is a 12-inch digital gauge cluster that can be configured to the driver’s taste, though you may not even use it that often because a 15-inch head-up display is standard. Likewise, the HD Surround Vision gives you clear views in front, behind, and to the sides of the large body. For more visibility, the standard digital rearview mirror gives you a clear view behind you, free of pillars and any cargo you may have stacked high, but it can also be toggled back to a standard mirror with ease. 

The front seats are heated and ventilated, the standard second-row bucket seats are heated, and being a Suburban, adults will have no trouble being comfortable in the third row. Everyone will be able to enjoy the Bose® 10-speaker Surround with CenterPoint® audio system. With two USB charge ports for the second row and two more for the third row, everybody should be able to keep their devices charged for the duration of the trip. 

Like all Suburbans, even behind the third row, there is a very generous 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Lower both the 60/40 split third-row seat backs, and cargo space climbs to 93.8 cubic feet, while in full cargo mode, the space swells to an unmatched-in-the-industry 144.7 cubic feet. In addition, outfitted correctly, the Suburban can tow up to 8,300 pounds. 

Power and Capability

Pushing all this space and luxury around is a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp @ 5600 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque @ 4100 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission controls the power, which then sends power to all four wheels with a Limited-slip diff in the rear.  It is enough to push the big fella from stationary to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. EPA estimated city/highway/combined mpg is 14/19/16. To improve that, consider the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V-6, which produces a lower 277 horsepower but matches the big V-8 in its 460 lb-ft of torque at a low 1500 rpm. The fuel economy for the diesel engine rises to a very respectable 21/27/23. 

It will be a smooth 27 mpg on the highway as well, thanks to a 134-inch wheelbase and standard Magnetic ride control. An electromagnetic reactive fluid in the dampers can adjust them from soft to smooth in a fraction of a second, depending on conditions, and they read those conditions every millisecond.

The available Super Cruise system allows you to truly drive hands-free and feet-free on over 400,000 miles of highway in North America, including changing lanes. 

In short, the Suburban High Country is a stealth luxury vehicle that does it all. It seats seven adults in indulgent comfort, has ample cargo space, and can easily tow a 31-foot Airstream Classic. It is powerful, can practically drive itself occasionally, and is fully prepared to keep going after the pavement ends. 

Still reading? You must be interested! Talk to Barry’s Chevrolet about your interest in the Suburban High Country. If there isn’t one in inventory, they will find you one to check out.