2026 Chevy Silverado High Country 6.2L: What Real Owners Say
Owner likes, dislikes, real-world mpg, and the engine investigation every buyer should know about. By Roosevelt, AutoNetwork.com.
Video
Watch Roosevelt's full video: Ask AI Roosevelt About the 2026 Silverado Crew High Country 4WD
The truck
- The truck
- 2026 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Short Bed 4WD High Country
- Exterior / interior
- Radiant Red Tintcoat / Jet Black–Umber
- Powertrain
- 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 · 10-speed automatic
- MSRP as tested
- $82,004
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg
- Bumper-to-bumper warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles
Key options: Super Cruise ($2,295); High Country Premium Package with sunroof and 22-inch wheels ($2,260); Technology Package with head-up display ($1,340); Adaptive Ride Control; power retractable steps; active exhaust.
Roosevelt’s review
The Silverado High Country sits at the top of Chevy's truck lineup, and this build shows it. Radiant Red Tintcoat paint pairs with a Jet Black and Umber interior for a striking presence that signals premium trim from a distance. The 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver serious power for towing and hauling, backed by a 7,100 lb gross vehicle weight rating and a 3.23 rear axle ratio built for real work.
The cabin earns its price tag. Dual-zone climate control, ventilated front leather seats, heated seats, and driver seat/mirror memory create a comfortable command center for long drives. The 13.4-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium with Google built-in, paired with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and Bose premium sound, puts this truck's tech on par with luxury SUVs. A head-up display and rear camera mirror add further visibility, and the power sliding rear window plus power up/down tailgate add everyday convenience most owners will use constantly.
Safety tech runs deep: Chevy Safety Assist bundles forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and auto high beams, while HD Surround Vision, trailer blind zone alert, and rear cross traffic braking support safer towing and city driving alike. Teen Driver mode gives parents real control and performance tracking for younger drivers in the household.
On the road, the truck delivers confident power and smooth shifting from the 10-speed transmission. The 22-inch wheels bring strong curb appeal and firm up the ride even with Adaptive Ride Control active, so buyers who prioritize comfort over wheel size may want to test drive before committing. Front windshield glare in bright conditions and a firmer brake pedal feel stand out as adjustment points for new owners. Fuel economy lands at 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined, typical for a full-size half-ton V8.
One practical step before purchase: this engine platform has carried past recalls, so running the VIN through nhtsa.gov confirms the specific truck is clear.
At an MSRP of $82,004, this High Country trim targets buyers who want luxury-truck comfort with genuine towing capability. The warranty coverage (3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain) backs that investment with strong protection. Buyers working with a tighter budget can find the same core V8 power and towing capacity in the Silverado LT or RST trims, which carry a significantly lower price while skipping some of the High Country's luxury extras like the leather interior and premium sound system. For a buyer who tows regularly and wants top-tier comfort and tech in the cabin, this Silverado delivers on both fronts.
What owners love
- The 6.2L V8 and 10-speed: The most-praised thing about the truck: quick downshifts and strong passing power. One owner with 70,000+ miles called it the best powertrain he’s ever driven.
- Comfort and cabin space: Owners rate comfort as a top strength, and the roomy back seat wins families over.
- Styling: The highest-rated attribute in the owner reviews summarized here.
- Highway range: One owner of a truck with this engine saw 21+ mpg on a 700-mile highway trip at 75 mph, with nearly 500 miles showing to empty.
- The sound: Owners love the V8 with active exhaust.
What owners complain about
- 22-inch wheels ride harsh: Even with Adaptive Ride Control, owners say the 22s don’t absorb potholes well; some swap to 20s.
- Real-world fuel economy: Owners report mid-teens mixed, 11–13 mpg in town and 9–11 mpg towing. Premium fuel is recommended for the 6.2L, not required; check your exact owner’s manual.
- Tech glitches: CarPlay doesn’t fill the full screen, Google navigation needs a paid data plan after the trial, and some owners report radio/CarPlay dropouts. Owner tip: in Park, hold the steering-wheel End Call button about 20 seconds to reboot the system.
- Price vs. experience: Some owners expected fewer dealer visits and electronic bugs at this price.
Real-world MPG
| Driving | EPA | What owners report |
|---|---|---|
| Combined / mixed | 17 mpg | Mid-teens |
| City | 15 mpg | 11–13 mpg |
| Highway | 20 mpg | About 20–22 mpg |
| Towing | — | 9–11 mpg |
Owner figures are self-reported and vary with driving conditions.
The engine investigation
In 2025, GM recalled about 600,000 trucks and SUVs with 2021–2024 versions of this 6.2L V8 over connecting rod and crankshaft manufacturing defects (recall 25V-274). In August 2026, NHTSA opened a larger investigation covering nearly 1 million vehicles, now including 2025 and 2026 models. An investigation is not a recall on the 2026, nor does it mean every engine will fail. Buyers should go in informed and check their specific VIN.
Roosevelt’s Buyer Checklist
- Run the VIN before you buy.
- Know your 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
- Price extended powertrain coverage before you sign.
- Know the warning signs: knocking, a check-engine light, rough running or loss of power. Stop safely if power is lost or the engine runs abnormally; contact your dealer or roadside assistance right away.
Roosevelt’s verdict
Buy it if
You want the best-driving full-size GM truck, you tow, you drive lots of highway miles, and you’re comfortable with an extended warranty.
Think twice if
You want worry-free long-term ownership, you mostly drive in town, or ride comfort matters more than 22-inch wheels.
Love the High Country but nervous about the engine? Consider the 5.3L V8 or the diesel, or skip the 22-inch wheels.
Questions to ask the dealer before you sign
- Can I see the out-the-door price in writing before we discuss financing?
- What does extended powertrain coverage cost on this truck, and what does it actually cover?
- Are there any open recalls or service campaigns on this VIN?
- Which dealer add-ons are included in this price, and can each one be removed?
What it costs to own after year one
- Fuel is the biggest swing item: Premium fuel is recommended for the 6.2L, not required — but owners report 9–13 mpg in town and while towing, so how you drive decides most of the fuel bill.
- Follow GM's maintenance schedule, not the dealer's upsell: The factory schedule in your owner's manual covers what the truck actually needs. Our ownership guides lay it out in plain language.
- Protect the engine decision: The powertrain warranty runs 5 years / 60,000 miles. Price extended powertrain coverage against how long you keep trucks — before you're sitting in the finance office.
Owner maintenance guides · Out-the-door price guide
How it stacks up
- Ford F-150: The only rival here that still sells a naturally aspirated V8 (the 5.0L Coyote), alongside the 3.5L EcoBoost. If a V8 without this investigation's baggage matters, Ford is the cross-shop.
- Ram 1500: The ride-comfort pick: coil or available air suspension soaks up broken pavement better than the 22-inch-wheel High Country, per owner feedback on both trucks.
- Toyota Tundra: No V8 anymore — Toyota moved the Tundra to twin-turbo V6 engines. You trade V8 sound for Toyota's reputation for long-term durability; the tow ratings are competitive.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2026 Silverado 6.2L V8 under recall?
No. The 2025 recall (25V-274) covered about 600,000 trucks and SUVs with 2021–2024 versions of the 6.2L V8. In August 2026, NHTSA opened an investigation covering nearly 1 million vehicles, now including 2025 and 2026 models. An investigation is not a recall. Check your specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What fuel economy do real owners get from the 6.2L High Country?
Owners self-report mid-teens combined, 11–13 mpg in town, about 20–22 mpg on the highway, and 9–11 mpg towing. EPA rates the truck at 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined.
Does the 6.2L V8 require premium fuel?
GM recommends premium fuel for the 6.2L EcoTec3 but does not require it; the engine is designed to run on regular. Check your owner's manual for your exact vehicle.
What should I ask the dealer before buying a High Country?
Get the out-the-door price in writing, ask what extended powertrain coverage costs and covers, check the VIN for open recalls or service campaigns, and ask which add-ons can be removed from the price.
Find Silverado offers — availability is not promised. COD covers service and repair costs and upcoming dealer offers. No offers are published yet; service cost guides are available today.
Owner feedback summarized from owner reviews and owner forums, including 2023–2025 trucks with the same 6.2L engine. These are owner reports, not Roosevelt’s measured results or a representative survey of 2026 owners. Investigation details current as of October 2026; check nhtsa.gov for updates.