2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Revealed With New V8s, More Tech

Chevrolet finally revealed the updated Silverado 1500, giving us a sampling of what’s to come for the 2027 model year. This is the first totally new full-size pickup from the brand in almost a decade and likewise serves as the landing zone for the new hardware that General Motors will undoubtedly be installing into models like the Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon.

Among the most important equipment will be the new engines. The automaker has been having an embarrassing number of issues with its V8s, especially the 6.2-liter, and has opted to replace them. However, the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-6 turbodiesel is sticking around while the 2.7-liter TurboMax is said to return with a new 10-speed automatic.

Despite enjoying an almost three-decade production run, the 5.3-liter V8 will be replaced with the 5.7-liter unit, GM said adding, it represents the future of its small-block V8s. Meanwhile, the outgoing 6.2-liter will be supplanted by a 6.6-liter V8. The assumption is that both of the motors will boast an uptick in power over the older units. Chevrolet even said the larger engine should become the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 within the pickup segment, while still offering improved emissions and overall efficiency relative to its predecessor.

Considering the rise in complaints pertaining to premature engine failures, and the company advising dealers to swap from 0W-20 to 0W-40 oil to mitigate the issue, we suppose that it shouldn’t be surprising to see the brand bring in new V8s. Claims of bearing failures and collapsed lifters had been floating around for years before internal investigations of the 6.2-liter revealed defective crankshafts and the formal recalls took hold.

The new exterior styling feels more like the Silverado has been issued a massive refresh, rather than a complete redesign. Headlamps are mounted lower than before, allowing the thin LED markers to serve the visual replacement. It looks good and should slightly reduce the number of people these trucks blind in traffic. Taller vehicles and LED headlights have become a rather serious problem for other drivers, especially those in lower-riding automobiles, so this is something that will be appreciated by practically everyone.

Chrome accents look to once again be locked behind higher trim levels. In the past, customers often needed to purchase the LTZ (or higher) if they wanted the swankier exterior options. That’s likely to remain the case for the 2027 model year. But pickups running with the new black plastic grilles still feel a tad more upscale than their predecessors. While Chevy’s redesign of the Silverado may not be groundbreaking, there’s not much to criticize at first blush. It’s appropriately boxy, riding the line between tasteful and brash.

The interior will undoubtedly be more polarizing. Like many automakers, General Motors wants to install larger screens and more of them. All Silverados now receive a 16.3-inch whopper as the default central touch screen. A new 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster also looks to be standard equipment across the range. Higher trims also receive a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.

If that’s not enough tech for customers, GM said it plans on offering a screen exclusively for the front passenger on the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 and High Country. The 11.5-inch display was shown running YouTube in the release and may eventually become an option on lower trims. The obvious goal is to encourage customers to interface with GM’s proprietary user interface as much as possible, leaving the door open for the company’s novel revenue streams.

Thankfully, it appears that the Silverado has retained some physical controls for the HVAC system. But the steering-wheel mounted “buttons” sadly look to be haptic-feedback panels and there’s a driver-monitoring camera mounted immediately above them. That’s likely the result of the Super Cruise driver-assistance tech found on the higher trims. Hands-free driving systems now typically require some form of driver monitoring and the United States is seeking to install the system into all new models from 2027 onwards.

While Super Cruise has become truly impressive, and now even offers hands-free driving as you’re towing a trailer, many do not want to be monitored inside their own vehicle. Since the government has been incredibly vague on the planned implementation, basically leaving it up to the manufacturers, we’re not sure if the driver-facing camera is something that will be required on every single version of pickup.

Everything else pertains to comfort. Perhaps feeling outclassed by Ram and Ford in terms of luxury, Chevy looks to have stepped up its game in terms of optional cabin materials. Claims have been made that enhanced comfort was something stressed during development and we can see that some of the higher trims (e.g. High Country) open the door to things like genuine wood accents. But the automaker is still stressing technology above everything else.

“The cohesive and purposeful, tech-forward layout gives drivers an intuitive interface for navigation, media, vehicle information and available trailering technologies, helping ensure even entry models feel modern, connected and well-equipped,” stated GM in a release.

“Silverado builds on its smart, hardworking interior technology with available dual wireless charging and a reconfigurable Multi-Flex center console that adds useful storage and everyday versatility — all with a premium feel that helps elevate every drive.”

That console is said to offer 25 liters of storage and can be converted into a makeshift workstation in a pinch. Since the Silverado uses a column shifter (which all trucks should imo) there’s likewise nothing to get in the way of the space.

While the full specifications and MSRP of the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 won't be made available until later this year, the manufacturer did give us a generalized breakdown of the forthcoming trims. However, there aren’t any major surprises.

The standard Work Truck will continue to be the basic, entry-level pickup popular with fleets and those who just need something to get the job done. Meanwhile, the Custom trims exist for buyers who want something with some dress-up features (e.g. dual exhaust) and a few incentives without feeling like they’ve overspent.

This includes the “Custom Trail Boss,” which will become Chevy’s entry-level off-roader. It receives a suspension that’s two inches higher than standard, 34-inch tires, and some visual cues that denote it as an ORV.

Above that will be the “Silverado” trim, which looks to be a replacement for the LT. We anticipate that this will have the most wiggle room in terms of available options. However, those selecting the 4x4 will find that the Z71 package (which incorporates loads of off-road features) comes along with it as standard.

The High Country remains the Silverado’s luxury trim for 2027. It has the fanciest cabin, likewise offering the highest level of interior customization, by far and defaults to the highest tech package. Customers also receive the upscale grille, premium wheels, and the new panoramic roof.

That just leaves the ZR2 and the Trail Boss. While the Trail Boss remains a serious off-road vehicle, Chevrolet didn’t really focus on what makes it mechanically better than the Custom beyond some optional aesthetics and upgraded tires. This is a popular niche for pickups and the Trail Boss will be going head to head with the Ram Rebel and the Ford F-150 Tremor (both of which are excellent off-road vehicles).

But those that absolutely have to have the most expensive and capable (non-HD) pickup will ultimately be browning the Silverado ZR2. General Motors said the trim will be more capable than ever before, featuring everything the next Trail Boss has to offer and then some.

The centerpiece of this vehicle is the desert race-proven Multimatic DSSV dampers paired with jounce dampers. The Baja-inspired suspension is said to be ideal whenever you’re flying over rough terrain at high speeds or navigating the pothole laden streets near your suburban home. Front and rear e-lockers are also standard.

As expected, the ZR2 also offers plenty of options to make the Silverado look a little racy (both inside and out). This includes the ZR2 Bison Edition, which adds things like enhanced rocker protection, 18-inch beadlock capable wheels, and skid plates protecting the front underbody, transfer case, rear differential and fuel tank. It also comes with upgraded front and rear bumpers from American Expedition Vehicles, along with some AEV badging on the exterior and ultra-duty floor mats.

We are hoping Chevrolet can keep the starting MSRP below $40,000, especially since the automaker made numerous references to value on the lower trim levels. But we have our doubts. Trucks aren’t getting any smaller and still appear to have a clientele that’s willing to splurge on off-road capabilities or luxury features — especially since American luxury sedans don’t really exist anymore.

We’ll learn more about the trucks, their engines, and how everything can be configured later this year. All we know right now is that there will be seven trims in total, the usual three cab sizes (regular, double, and crew), and a variety of bed lengths. Odds are good that the general formula won’t deviate too far from what we see today.

[Images: General Motors]

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