Although it is now offered on several different vehicles, including the Chevy Traverse, Chevy Tahoe, and Chevy Suburban, the High Country nameplate is best known as the highest available trim level in the Chevrolet Silverado truck lineup. Regardless, High Country models offer customers a variety of top-shelf features and an upgraded aesthetic to boot. It’s a popular trim, and for good reason, as it traditionally pairs with a good degree of backside coddling. However, we got to thinking – what about applying some of that High Country goodness to something unexpected? What about a Chevy Express High Country?
It’s an interesting idea. These days, vans are usually considered strictly utilitarian vehicles, but as the Chevy Silverado High Country proves, utilitarian vehicles shouldn’t necessarily shy away from packing in the luxury as well. What’s more, custom luxury vans have been popular in the past, and could be again sometime in the future.
That said, we should mention that there is currently no indication that General Motors will actually offer a Chevy Express High Country model. Rather, we drew up this rendering purely for fun, just to see what such a thing might look like.
With that covered, let’s check out the rendering.
The first thing that should stand out is the revised fascia, which gets a new grille treatment with horizontal slats running end to end. The chrome center divider bar gets a black Bow Tie badge front and center, while the lighting was enhanced with LED elements. The lower fascia was also outfitted with fog lamps and a revised front bumper.
The profile is dominated by plus-sized 20-inch wheels with a split-spoke, geometric design. There’s also a set of towing mirrors plucked from the Chevy Silverado, while a polished High Country badge is placed prominently on the fender. Silver assist sidesteps stretch between the wheels.
We also saw fit to render up the rear end, which now comes with a dual-exhaust treatment with a double set of squared-off tips in a polished finish. The bumper also gets a nice silver glean to it, while the upper body treatment is body-colored for a cleaner overall appearance.
While we didn’t fully render the interior, we’re imagining loads of soft-touch materials and upholstery, plus luxury features like heated and ventilated seats, the latest tech goodies, and multiple digital screens.
As we covered way back in 2018, the current Chevy Express, as well as its corporate cousin, the GMC Savana, are slated to continue on in their current form until at least the 2023 calendar year. It’s possible GM may even extend production through 2025. However, despite being the oldest vans in the industry, the Chevy Express and GMC Savana still post respectable sales figures.
All told, we’d love to see a luxury-laden Chevy Express High Country model. Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Express news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Build it GM! oh no that will not happen .. pity
It won’t happen because there is no market for this.
If you build it they will come.
It would be nice if GM did build this, along with a redesign, it’s time to pull away from the “Comfort Zone” and embrace new thinking with the exterior of this van already.
If you all were actually serious about buying one, you’d know there are conversion companies out there that will build you a luxury version with captains chairs and finished off nicely.
Apparently since there’s no market and that’s why you aren’t seeing them.
Open up your wallet or stop complaining.
Just saw one on Daytona Beach , Emblemed as 4500 high country. Hood emblem indicates 6.2 liter. Extended van. In black. Date 07-17-2023.
Recall the 2001-2002 Chevy Express LT – “factory conversion” van. Two flip down video screens, high back buckets, 12 speaker Bose…
Haha. I had completely forgotten about that.
We up-fitted those in O’fallon, Missouri, after the twin towers fell sales dropped off so GM stopped sales.
Add our Quigley 4×4 and make it even more appealing and useful! 🙂 I think the trim package is the only thing missing from a proven staple in the market. It would certainly compete against the much more expensive and much less versatile Suburbans, Tahoes, and the like.
I’m waiting for the set of comments that goes with every new article: where is the Diesel, will it have the no-good 8-speed, how about the supercharged V8 found in the blah blah, the dashboard is 50 years old blah blah blah.
It is currently offered with a diesel.
Build it GM, I dare you. 7-10 passenger config. (short & long WB) with standard AWD. 5.3L standard with 6.2L available. Load it up with leather, power everything, dual heat & air and audio/video. Loaded keep the MSRP under 50k. Then… SPEND SOME MONEY MARKETING IT and position as an alternative to both minivans that have less capability and Suburban/Tahoe, more space, lower price. They may not sell a ton of them but the margin should be strong as the tooling is long ago paid for on this ancient platform and GM sells a ton of the base versions to everyone from the US Govt to U-Haul. Both the Express LT and Ford Club Wagon Chateau’s sold in respectable numbers when they we’re available and kitted out Transits and Sprinters are everywhere. GM could capitalize on their old but cheap van to offer an alternative to the 70-100k Ford and Mercedes offerings.
Yeah that’s a great idea. And after you’ve sold them to all ten people that would be interested, cancel the product and everyone on here can cry about it.
Throw in a Duramax version with AWD and I’m there! Drove a 75 Beauville to Hell and back all through the 80’s and early 90’s
That would look great with an Explorer Van 7-9 Passenger package on it.
As a fleet manager, this is never gonna happen.
The front end is easier on the eye than the Silverado, Suburban & Tahoe
What’s five letter car reference for an award winning, and great selling vehicle GM dropped? ASTRO ! GM get your head outta your (well you know) and bring back the ASTRO ! Mercedes offering of the same size can be bought for about $35K with a bevy of options. What do you give us … Yawn another SUV , and bigger Yawn another 4 door pickup. There’s a reason you sell so many SUV’s an 4 door pickups … it’s about all you offer. Bring back the Astro, and better still the Caprice Estate Wagon. Both would sell well. As for pickups … a 2 door regular cab Chevy LUV would too be a great seller.
I would love to see the 3.0 Duramax I6 in the vans, especially the cutaways that serve to be motorhomes. It’s time to wake up GM and not just get in the game, but get in it and win it.
No the 6.6 Duramax or the 6.6 gas in 3/4 variants. They would be great tow vehicles!
6.6L gas is available in 2021!! It’s replacing the 6.0L
I still have my 2001 Savana factory conversion van with the two flip-down screens, all leather, Bose speakers, front/rear AC and heat, trailering package. I like the looks of the render van and would certainly be interested. We pull our 23 foot RV trailer all over the US.
Meanwhile, Ford continues to dominate sales with the Transit. Why in the world should we sit around and praise an outdated platform like this? It is so sad that GM is the only one of the big three that has not updated their vans.
I’m waiting for the version with a huge mural of a naked woman riding Pegasus on the side and a welded chain steering wheel!
Could someone have rendered a redesign on the head lights. I saw a GM van on YouTube with a GMC Tahoe front clip. It was refreshing.
Nice concept
Add the left side doors and all wheel or a low profile 4 wheel drive with center row removable captains chairs, you may have something.
GM should also offer a NPP version of this van. (Non-peeling paint)
Yep, especially on the hood and around the roof conversion shell.
When can I order this van my. Current 2018 leaves slot on the table compared to other G M products .
I just want to know what grown adult has time to make a pointless rendering like this…
I still have my 05 express awd ! Can’t part with it yet as there is no replacement. Vans need the double doors behind the drivers seat period .2bd I live in New England and yes it snows so 4×4 or awd is mandatory.
I like the dual exhaust version on your rendering. Take the 05 and hide the door hinges . There’s a lot you can do with a van and actually load it up and keep your tools dry unlike a pickup. So please revisit the 05 and make the rendering off that version. Thanks
It appear that the checy express dealwr in Mobile AL cannot fix the basic lights that pop up on das board like check ABS ,Tyres monitor light,air bag light,after spending $ 3,300.00 for repairs onreplacing wiring hornes ,pcm in transmission, plus paying $300.00 before for pcm problem ,i am disapointed about their about their product.
While the Chevvy Suburban does a lot of what this mini bus would do, this “Express High Country” would offer more height and with this better seating comfort, and also better access to the third row of seats (I experienced being driven around in a Chevy Suburban about a decade ago and remembered big problems for my long body to access the 3rd seat row from the second side door.
The imagination shown above is a new body, then why not design a new platform altogether!
I did open my pocket book and bought a conversion van it is really nice
But it would be nice to buy it at GM so everything is taken care of at the dealer. What I like are the inside goodies. I don’t care much for all the extra plastic moldings.
I think GM could do it a little less expensive
Also I would like a diesel again. Had one before it was great
Call it a Beauville and I’ll buy it!
It’s about time you’re thinking about redesigning the Express and savana, the 10 year span of no new look is a real ripoff!! Also GM should come back with the awd version which they quit manufacturing back in 13/14. Awesome though and reliable Van’s
Add highback seats for the rear passengers (solid or head restraints) to protect them in accidents (as GM currently don’t care what happens back there WRT whiplash etc), and you might get some sales