The 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 Come Packing a Better Inline-4 and Brand-New V-8sRoad & TrackZac PalmerThu, September 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTCAdd us on Google2027 Silverado and Sierra Host a Small Block PartyChevroletEarlier this summer, General Motors revealed all the important details about the redesigned 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, just minus the engines. As of Thursday, the time has finally come to learn about the array of powertrains motivating this next generation of full-size GM pickups.The big news is the two new small block V-8s. GM replaced the 5.3-liter V-8 with a 5.7-liter and the 6.2-liter with a 6.6-liter, and both of them are built on GM's new small block architecture that debuted with the 2027 Chevy Corvette. The LS6 (a 6.7-liter V-8) in Chevy's sports car is engineered with the racetrack and canyon carving in mind, while the V-8s going into these pickups are designed with towing, off-road performance, and long road trips as priorities.GM's new Gen 6 Small Block 6.6-liter V-8GMStarting with the numbers, both V-8s are larger and (obviously) more powerful than the engines they're replacing. The base 5.7-liter produces 402 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, increases of 47 and 45 respectively over the outgoing 5.3-liter. Meanwhile, the 6.6-liter makes a stout 481 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque. That's 61 horses and 41 pound-feet of torque more than the old 6.2-liter, and it makes the GM full-sizers the most powerful naturally aspirated pickups in the game.AdvertisementAdvertisementGM says it found the extra horsepower and torque through a variety of means. Obviously, more displacement means more power, but both of these small block V-8s have a higher compression ratio—the 5.7 is now 12.0:1 and the 6.6 is 12.5:1, both less than the Corvette's 13.0:1. It also has larger throttle diameters, new intake manifolds that manage the additional airflow, and both port and fuel injection.They also have a new lubrication system that features a continuously variable oil pump, on-engine oil cooler, and new oil feed locations for better oil pressure consistency. Recommended oil viscosity gets heavier, too, with GM suggesting folks run 0W-30 now instead of 0W-20. GM notes its new use of modeling and simulation toolsets as big helpers to bring extra power—and hopefully in the long run, greater longevity/reliability.The Gen 6 5.7-liter Small Block V-8GMMaximum towing capacity for the 2027 Silverado lineup can be exploited with the 5.7-liter V-8 paired with the Double Cab and rear-wheel drive. With the Silverado 1500, that's 13,700 pounds—which just barely eclipses the Ford F-150 with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 by 200 pounds—while the Sierra 1500 maxes out at a Ford-equaling 13,500. The 6.6-liter is the highest-performing engine, but GM only pairs it with higher-trim configurations that naturally result in less towing capacity.Fuel economy figured for the new Silverado is still to be announced, but engineers tell us the engines (despite being larger and more powerful) are more efficient operators than the previous V-8s. The 6.6-liter comes with a "premium recommended" stipulation, but GM doesn't require you to pump the more expensive fuel.ChevroletIf maximum payload (2340 pounds) is a greater priority, you'll want the upgraded TurboMax four-cylinder-turbo engine that comes as the base motor in the 2027 GM trucks. This 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder packs a new turbo, upgraded fuel injection, redesigned pistons, and enhanced thermal management. It makes 40 horsepower and 25 pound-feet of torque more than before, bringing the totals to 350 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. (Yes, that makes it torquier than the 5.7-liter V-8.) GM also now pairs it with the 10-speed automatic like all the other engines, ditching the old four-cylinder's eight-speed auto. We'll see once we're able to test one, but GM claims smoother shifting and improved towing performance.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe last engine available for the 2027 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 lineups is the Duramax diesel. This 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six makes the same 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet as before, but GM says it's improved the experience with updates to the pistons, turbo vane, NOx sensor, and fuel injectors. It also has a larger DEF tank by two gallons, allowing you to go further between fill ups. There's also a new optional 34-gallon fuel tank that provides up to 900 miles of range on a full tank when paired with the Duramax. Good luck using all of that before needing a bathroom break.ChevroletChevy says the new Small Block V-8 options will be available at launch with the 2027 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500. Production of these engines will take place at three different locations: Flint Engine Operations; Tonawanda Propulsion; and St. Catharines Propulsion. We're still waiting on details concerning the price of the new GM pickups, but expect those numbers to arrive closer to the late-2026 on-sale date.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State