The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and its twin, the GMC Sierra, are being launched as the most advanced and powerful half‑ton pickups GM has ever produced, featuring a more aggressive exterior, new off‑road equipment, luxury appointments across seven trim levels, and a front‑passenger infotainment screen that rivals competitors’ offerings.
Among the most notable mechanical changes is the removal of the physical oil dipstick on all new V8 engines. Drivers will instead monitor oil levels through a digital readout in the instrument cluster or on the infotainment screen, which will alert the owner when oil must be added.
The diesel powertrain that has defined GM’s half‑ton trucks, the LZ0 3.0‑liter Duramax straight‑six, returns unchanged for 2027, delivering 305 horsepower and 495 lb‑ft of torque—enough to achieve the model’s top tow rating of 13,300 pounds when properly equipped.
Gasoline options also evolve. The 2.7‑liter TurboMax turbocharged four‑cylinder receives a power boost and a new 10‑speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous eight‑speed unit. For heavy‑duty buyers, the Silverado HD and Sierra HD will be offered with a new 6.6‑liter L8S V8 and a forthcoming L6P Duramax V8, slated to replace the outgoing 6.6‑liter L5P diesel.
GM is retiring its two small‑block V8s that powered the 2026 half‑ton models: the 5.3‑liter L84 and the 6.2‑liter L87. The L87 has been the subject of an ongoing NHTSA investigation and a class‑action lawsuit over engine failures. In their place, the 5.7‑liter L76 and the 6.6‑liter L78, both built on GM’s new Generation Six architecture, will debut. The L76 is expected to exceed the L84’s 355 hp and 383 lb‑ft, while the L78 is billed as the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in the segment, topping 475 hp.
The Generation Six family includes the high‑performance Gemini dual‑overhead‑cam V8s found in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, ZR1 and ZR1X, hand‑built at Bowling Green. The pushrod variants for the Silverado and Sierra will be produced at Flint Engine Operations and Tonawanda Powertrain.
GM’s decision to drop the dipstick follows a broader industry shift toward sensor‑based oil monitoring. Ram introduced a similar system on its 2024 1500 model with a 3.0‑liter “Hurricane” inline‑six, and BMW has used electronic oil‑level sensors on many models since 2005. While most drivers may never manually check oil, the change has sparked debate among enthusiasts who value a physical backup.
Critics point out that relying solely on electronic sensors removes a mechanical redundancy that aviation and other safety‑critical fields retain. Proponents argue that decades of sensor development have made digital oil‑level monitoring reliable, and that the system can warn drivers well before damage occurs.
GM has not yet released detailed specifications for the new L6P diesel or the exact output figures for the L76 and L78 V8s, but the company says the engines will be paired with advanced emissions controls and will meet the brand’s durability standards.