5 Wishes for GM’s Next-Generation Full-Size Pickups
In case you forgot, a new generation of General Motors’ full-size pickups is on the way to replace the one that debuted for the 2019 model year. Prototypes have been undergoing road testing for several months and a reveal is planned for sometime in 2026.
What can we expect? A few details have already been announced and patent drawings revealing the exterior design are even circulating online. For now, we’ll share our five wishes for the upcoming 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. See if you agree with us!
1. A Smart Design Evolution
Based on what we can see so far from sketches and spy photos, the exterior looks more like an evolution than a complete redesign. It’s arguably a wiser move than opting for a decidedly retro style or going over the top with in-your-face grilles. GM has previously made mistakes by radically altering the design, like with their HD counterparts at the beginning of the current generation, so restraint is preferable this time. Ideally, a greater distinction between Chevrolet and GMC would be appreciated. We also hope (and expect) that the highly practical multifunction tailgate will be retained.
2. Better V8 Engines
The 5.3-litre and 6.2-litre V8s available in the Silverado and Sierra have room for improvement, that’s for sure. The former is less powerful and explosive than the V8s from Ram and Ford, while the latter has recently experienced serious troubles, some of which have resulted in high-profile recalls. The good news is that GM is working on a new generation of V8 engines, promising more power and better fuel economy. Their displacements will be increased to 5.7 and 6.6 litres, according to online reports. Improved towing capacity wouldn’t hurt, either.
3. An Electrified Option
When it comes to reducing fuel consumption (and emissions), GM said that new combustion and thermal management innovations will be a key factor driving these improvements, without being more specific. Could these upcoming V8s be electrified, let’s say with a mild hybrid system? Only time will tell. One thing is certain: in a market segment that includes hybrid variants of the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150, not to mention the Ram 1500 REV range-extending electric pickup due in 2026, GM needs to make progress on this front. CEO Mary Barra has said that plug-in hybrids will launch in 2027. Will the Silverado and Sierra be among them? It would certainly fill a gap between the gasoline models and the all-electric models (Silverado EV/Sierra EV).
4. A Jurassic Fighter
On the other hand, GM still has no direct answer to the Ford F-150 Raptor R, nor the upcoming 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX. The most powerful and off-road-capable Silverado and Sierra models right now are the ZR2 Bison and AT4X AEV, which are limited to 420 horsepower. That’s a far cry from the other two, which exceed 700 horsepower. With emissions standards wiped out for the next three years by the Trump administration in the U.S., the time seems ideal to take the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 from the Cadillac Escalade-V or the twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and put it under the hood of these full-size pickups.
5. A Next-Level Luxury Cabin (at Chevrolet)
While GMC caters to luxury enthusiasts with its Denali and Denali Ultimate models, Chevrolet lags somewhat behind. The top-line Silverado High Country doesn’t quite match the Ford F-150 Platinum, Ram 1500 Tungsten or Toyota Tundra Capstone. Granted, such lavishly equipped trucks appeal to a select few buyers only, but why not address this issue with the next generation? And while we’re at it, a redesigned dashboard featuring an even larger digital interface, like the 33- and 55-inch displays found in some Cadillac models, would certainly be a welcome addition in our opinion.
