Avalanche 2.0: Chevrolet Silverado High Desert Package

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

The buttress is back, baby!

Chevrolet fans still in mourning over the loss of their beloved Avalanche get an early Christmas gift this year. A new Silverado package arrives this fall with all the goodies a ‘lanche aficionado could want, minus the acres of grey bodyside cladding.

The High Desert Package, inspired by a concept vehicle shown at the 2014 SEMA show, is available on LT, LTZ, and High Country trims, adding upscale exterior fittings and a versatile locking cargo system with dual side storage bins. You’ll never find that hammer you left…somewhere.

Chevrolet views the waterproof, multi-compartment storage system as the answer for people who really want a pickup, but opt for an SUV due to the stuff they’re forced to cart around.

“The High Desert package blends the capability and utility of Silverado with the refinement and luxury of Suburban,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet truck marketing, in a statement. “It’s ideal for those customers who want both the security of a lockable cargo area, as well as the flexibility of a pickup truck bed.”

The package also brings GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension into the Silverado lineup. The self-aware, road-damping suspension lends a refined, SUV-like ride to the pickup, filling out the “luxury” side of the package.

While not a standalone model, Chevy clearly knows who it’s romancing with this package. The proof is in the pillars, or more specifically, the flying buttress treatment out back.

The Avalanche is dead, but it has a son with another name.

[Image: General Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Dukeisduke Dukeisduke on May 13, 2016

    "High Country", "High Desert". What kind of lame committee comes up with these names? Ford has the King Ranch, named for a real place, and Toyota has the 1794 Edition, which refers to the founding date of the ranch where today the TMMTX plant outside of San Antonio is located. GM needs to get a clue.

  • RHD RHD on May 13, 2016

    Maybe they asked Art Bell for suggestions about the name of the special edition.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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