- What's new: The 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 gets a full redesign alongside the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with two new V8 engines under the hood and new styling inside and out.
- Why it matters: The Sierra's still the fancier of this duo, and its cabin has been spruced up and the Denali trims are fancier (and pricier) than ever, with prices starting at $51,295 and going all the way to $87,895.
- Edmunds says: The GMC was overdue for an update, and its changes seem promising, but we'll have to get behind the wheel to know for sure.
2027 GMC Sierra 1500 First Look: Bigger Where It Counts
A pair of new V8s and an extra-luxe cabin highlight the changes
– Palo Alto, California
GM is giving its full-size truck lineup a full makeover for 2027, with the GMC Sierra 1500 getting a redesign of its own to match what's changed on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (updates we detailed last week).
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the GMC Sierra 1500, with its proclivity for chrome and stylistic excess. They're features I normally don't like, but in the case of the GMC, I've always found it charming. That said, it was a flawed full-size truck, with ride quality and cabin issues that dampened the experience. But a whole laundry list of changes will give the Sierra a chance to make a leap, so we took a close look at its new cabin and technology to see just how much it's improved.
Nothing subtle about the new Sierra
I was able to spend time with the Denali Ultimate trim of the new Sierra, and just like the previous Denalis, you're first met with a gigantic chrome grille. Flanking that are new headlight clusters that come in the shape of a "7," and those will be the easiest way to tell the new truck apart from the old one, as the general shape is pretty consistent.
As with the Silverado, I still prefer the look of the Sierra's off-road variants — the AT4 and AT4X. With their larger, more aggressive tires, raised ride heights, and more muscular bodywork, they mesh better with the high-sided look shared by both GM trucks.
On the inside, though, the look has changed much more, starting with the colors offered. The truck on-site had a black-and-white color scheme, while GMC will also offer a tan and even a deep blue interior on the Denali, all colors I prefer to black, where many of the new details will get lost.
The materials seem to have taken a step forward, clearly ahead of the Silverado as you'd hope, and the small-item storage has also improved in the same way as it has in the Chevy. GMC has "borrowed" the flip-out tabletop from Ford, which is great for working or eating, and the movable cupholders in the center bin that allow for more flexible storage in front of or behind them. The front seats felt comfortable, and, more importantly, the back seat has been improved with a more natural seatback angle and, of course, tons of room for families to stretch out.
Digital real estate
Just like in the Silverado, the Sierra's screens have grown significantly, with a 16.3-inch central touchscreen and a 12.2-inch driver display standard. If that isn't enough for you, a third 11.5-inch screen in front of the passenger, a 15-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror are also available. Add those up, and you're looking at over 60 inches of display space in the Sierra, and this isn't the usual kind of measuring contest we get with these trucks, but we're sure GMC is happy to claim the win.
One way the GMC further differentiates itself is that its screens feature some movement. The main screen lifts to reveal a hidden storage compartment, while the passenger screen is mostly hidden when not in use by a panel that creeps down and out of the way when activated. That third screen has privacy glass so the driver can't see it, and you can connect an extra set of Bluetooth headphones or earbuds so the passenger can watch the screen with their own audio.
It's not just the screens that are new; there's also a brand-new infotainment system. The setup is still Android-based, so Google powers the maps and voice commands, and it uses the Play Store to download apps you're looking for. GMC is going to provide eight years of data to help power all of that for free, but if you'd prefer, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are thankfully along for the ride.
I only had a few minutes to play with the system, but my initial impressions were positive. For the amount of functionality packed into it, the structure of it is very simple, with a quick pull-down menu for most commonly used functions and the ability to swap out modules on the home screen to get the information you want. We'll have to get a feel for how it works while driving to provide a more comprehensive view.
There are more USB-C ports than there are seats, and the Sierra now features a Qi2 (aka MagSafe) magnetic charging pad (higher trims get two), so your phone clicks on and doesn't slide around. However, if you don't have a compatible phone, the charger won't activate; GMC says a solution for this issue will be provided by dealers for those users, with more details to come later.
What's under the hood?
Just like the Silverado 1500, the Sierra will have four engine options. Two of them will carry over from the current-generation truck: a turbocharged four-cylinder and a turbodiesel V6, and all engines are now mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission. The continuation of the diesel is good news; the GM twins are the only full-size trucks to offer a diesel (before you get to heavy-duty models), giving them a competitive advantage for those seeking extra efficiency and torque.
It's the two new V8 engines that are grabbing most of the headlines: a 5.7-liter that makes 402 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque and a 6.6-liter that makes 481 hp and 501 lb-ft of torque. The larger V8 is the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 among all of the full-size trucks, better than both Ram and Ford — though those companies offer supercharged V8s in off-road super-trucks. Maybe Chevrolet and GMC will eventually decide to build something similar, fingers crossed.
If you want more details on those V8s, we've covered those as well.
How much will it cost?
The Sierra 1500 will go on sale by the end of 2026, and prices range from $51,295 for the base Pro model and go all the way up to $87,895 for the top spec Denali Ultimate. We have a full breakdown of every single new Sierra trim, how much it costs, and what you get right here.
We'll have to see a few more trims to get a full sense of how the GMC stacks up against the Ram 1500s, which currently set the mark for luxury interiors in trucks. But given it comes pretty close when it comes to price, it's fair to say the Sierra has a chance at taking the top spot.









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