New here with questions before (Edit: bought on 12/22) pulling the trigger on a 2026 High Country

[lost1wing]

New here and though I do not own a Tahoe yet, it is only a matter of time (by years end). i am trying to make the best out of my purchase and would like to ask the forum what should I avoid and what I should look for.



We are looking at a 2026 High Coumtry. it has all that my wife wants and then some. The windowsticker price is the only negative. We also like the Z71 or the RST, but my wife really wants the powered running board. She also likes the air ride suspension. Heads up display and rearview mirror camera worth it?

 

[RST Dana]

Power running boards are trick, especially at night. HUD is another thing I feel is a must. Air ride is TBD since mine doesn’t have it.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I just bought a 2026 RST pretty much fully loaded. Doesn’t have the powered running boards or HUD. It does have the air suspension and mag ride that lowers the car when you park. Also even on a loaded RST you can’t get ventilated seats FYI.

The z71 is a totally different trim than the other 2 as far as looks should be easy to like that one or not. Off-road trim.

If you want more sporty the RST is a great option and all luxury the high country. Seems like your wife wants the high country.

Any fully loaded trim will be around 90k anyway. Also the RST is the only trim available with the performance package is that’s important to you (6.2, catback exhaust, intake, and brembos)

 

[ReaperHWK]

IMO get a loaded high country and she’ll love it. Your probably only talking 5-10k difference. The cost of PPF film lol.

The older I get I learned to never settle. Get exactly what you want and you’ll always be happy. Not thinking about the thing you should have got!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please, when you buy it.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

I have only 1 piece of advice to add to the above, something I learned over 50 years of marriage. "Happy Wife = Happy Life"

 

[GMCnewbee]

Listen to your Wife!

 

[ReaperHWK]

Listen to your Wife!

100% of it’s going to be her daily. She got the RST with exactly what she wanted and I just wanted the max tow package.

I have my own cars that she doesn’t get to have any say in lol.

She’s not a fan of this one, To loud and obnoxious to her.

 

[lost1wing]

Thanks to all that replied. We will see if I can get the High Country tomorrow. It's a busy day for us. We need to work on a final price yet. The BS of having to finance to save a few dollars. I always thought cash was king. Retired for 5 years now, I have no credit.

 

[lost1wing]

Seems like your wife wants the high country.
Yep! She will keep her Gladiator for rainy days. I'm still stuck in my 2014 Duramax. The wife has been through 4 new cars since I got my Duramax. She's happy!

 

[RST Dana]

I just bought a 2026 RST pretty much fully loaded. Doesn’t have the powered running boards or HUD. It does have the air suspension and mag ride that lowers the car when you park. Also even on a loaded RST you can’t get ventilated seats FYI.

The z71 is a totally different trim than the other 2 as far as looks should be easy to like that one or not. Off-road trim.

If you want more sporty the RST is a great option and all luxury the high country. Seems like your wife wants the high country.

Any fully loaded trim will be around 90k anyway. Also the RST is the only trim available with the performance package is that’s important to you (6.2, catback exhaust, intake, and brembos)

It’s odd the RST can’t have cooled seats. My 2020 RST had them and HUD.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Thanks to all that replied. We will see if I can get the High Country tomorrow. It's a busy day for us. We need to work on a final price yet. The BS of having to finance to save a few dollars. I always thought cash was king. Retired for 5 years now, I have no credit.

She won’t be disappointed. That model has all the features! Good luck.

 

[ReaperHWK]

It’s odd the RST can’t have cooled seats. My 2020 RST had them and HUD.

Yep. For the 25+ models they make you get the high country for those features.

I think my RST has every available package and it doesn’t have HUD or cooled seats, the salesman confirmed that they aren’t available on the RST. Mine was almost a 90k sticker as well.

I traded in a 2015 Tahoe LTZ that had some features this new RST doesn’t that the high country has. Such as cooled seats, adjustable pedals, and power telescoping steering column. But in every other aspect the new RST is light years beyond the old LTZ.

 

[lost1wing]

Yep. For the 25+ models they make you get the high country for those features.

I think my RST has every available package and it doesn’t have HUD or cooled seats, the salesman confirmed that they aren’t available on the RST. Mine was almost a 90k sticker as well.

I traded in a 2015 Tahoe LTZ that had some features this new RST doesn’t that the high country has. Such as cooled seats, adjustable pedals, and power telescoping steering column. But in every other aspect the new RST is light years beyond the old LTZ.

If it was up to me, I'd get the RST. Not a fan of chrome. The High Country will grow on me.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

If you want the powered running boards. You’re in for the full ride
I got the HC without the running boards and had somewhat less sticker shock. The HC is standard with hud and camera mirror. If you can live without the sunroof, max towing pkg and thus two speed transfer case you can save a few bucks.

 

[Protect1989]

I have a Z71 with air ride, HUD, and digital rear view mirror. I looked at the HC but it was about 10k more for what was available. A few things to consider:

- The HC only comes with the 6.2 or 3.0 Diesel.

- You can get aftermarket retractable steps on the Z71. It will be $2k-$2,500

- The Z71 has a completely different look than the HC, so ensure your wife like the more off road look

- The HC has exclusive interior colors and exterior colors (primarily the white is different).

From a features standpoint, the RST and Z71 can be optioned to pretty close as a HC, it depends on the look you want and ride style

 

[Sgt1411]

New here and though I do not own a Tahoe yet, it is only a matter of time (by years end). i am trying to make the best out of my purchase and would like to ask the forum what should I avoid and what I should look for.



We are looking at a 2026 High Coumtry. it has all that my wife wants and then some. The windowsticker price is the only negative. We also like the Z71 or the RST, but my wife really wants the powered running board. She also likes the air ride suspension. Heads up display and rearview mirror camera worth it?

I was in the same boat as you, I wanted the RST look. But after seeing the features that were unavailable on the RST compared to High Country I went High Country.

Did the chrome delete Blackout so no chrome and had the wheels powder coated gloss black so I got the appearance of the RST with features of the High Country.

Power Running Boards, A/C Seats, HUD, RVMC, all features I am glad my Tahoe has.

It was a stock unit on dealers lot so price was right but if I was ordering I would add the Performance Package with CAI and Borla Exhaust, just MHO.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I was in the same boat as you, I wanted the RST look. But after seeing the features that were unavailable on the RST compared to High Country I went High Country.

Did the chrome delete Blackout so no chrome and had the wheels powder coated gloss black so I got the appearance of the RST with features of the High Country.

Power Running Boards, A/C Seats, HUD, RVMC, all features I am glad my Tahoe has.

It was a stock unit on dealers lot so price was right but if I was ordering I would add the Performance Package with CAI and Borla Exhaust, just MHO.

Agree. I have the borla on my RST it sounds awesome. Not obnoxious but a nice rumble.

 

[KMeloney]

I've got a '23 Denali. My take on the items your wife wants:
Powered Running Boards -- Love them. Truck looks especially clean when they're stowed. The lighting on them is over-the-top, but I love it.
Air Ride -- Fantastic. And I love the adjustability of it (including lowering it all the way down for parking garage clearance peace of mind.
HUD -- A decent feature, but one I don't use often. I definitely don't use it around town/daily. Might throw it on at night for highway travel. Definitely not a must-have for me.
Rear View Camera Mirror -- This is another item I don't really use. It's a neat feature, but one that take a lot of getting used to. It's a fixed view; so, if you're used to looking in your rearview at different angles to see different views of things behind you (even into the back seats), then you'll probably hate it, 'cause it's no longer a mirror in camera-mode.

 

[lost1wing]

I have a Z71 with air ride, HUD, and digital rear view mirror. I looked at the HC but it was about 10k more for what was available. A few things to consider:

- The HC only comes with the 6.2 or 3.0 Diesel.

- You can get aftermarket retractable steps on the Z71. It will be $2k-$2,500

- The Z71 has a completely different look than the HC, so ensure your wife like the more off road look

- The HC has exclusive interior colors and exterior colors (primarily the white is different).

From a features standpoint, the RST and Z71 can be optioned to pretty close as a HC, it depends on the look you want and ride style

We talked about that. She likes the looks of the High Country.

 

[lost1wing]

It is settled, High Country wins!

Now you can see why the powered steps are important.

I got the pleasure of driving it home from the dealership.