Hands-On Preview: 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Offers More Without Extra

Familiar Looks, Same Great Features

The 2027 Sierra’s exterior breaks no new ground – in fact, according to GMC, the underlying platform even carries over from before – but honestly, huge changes were not needed. The outgoing model was already plenty capable, and the new version simply builds on that. 

This rig is attractive and appropriately reserved for a premium vehicle, with a large, trapezoidal grille, clean flanks and a no-nonsense cargo box that has huge volume and a wide range of tie-down points. GMC’s ingenious MultiPro tailgate, essentially a tailgate within a tailgate, is once again offered, greatly enhancing versatility thanks to the various postures it offers.

The new Sierra’s headlights and taillamps provide a distinctive look and even put on a light show as you approach.

Quad exhaust outlets integrated into the rear bumper are also offered on certain trim levels. Beyond that, once this truck starts arriving at dealerships, it should be available in six different trim levels (Pro, Elevation, AT4, AT4X, Denali and Denali Ultimate) with eight different interior themes, providing customers with plenty of choice.

When it comes to advanced driver assistance technologies, amenities like automatic high beams, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and more will all be standard, but engineers have added even more standard and available features to this truck. Adaptive cruise control, GM’s butt cheek-massaging Safety Alert Seat, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic braking and rear pedestrian alert should now be standard on all trim levels. Other models gain more advanced amenities like an HD Surround Vision system, traffic sign recognition, Side Bicyclist Alert and more.

These changes will make a good truck even better for owners.

Elegant and Upscale Interior

Speaking of the cabin, it is a huge upgrade over the outgoing Sierra. A much more noticeable improvement than what this truck received on the outside. The dashboard is elegantly clean and strongly horizontal, with a deceptively broad and flat design. 

The Denali Ultimate model that was on display is impressively premium – or perhaps, appropriately premium given that this truck carries a regal price tag. This top-shelf trim features plenty of smooth leather, soft plastics, contrast-color stitching, and other high-end materials. The speaker grilles, for instance, are made of sturdy stainless steel, and the dashboard and center console can be fitted with a “forged” birch trim, a type of manufactured wood with an interesting grain pattern. The off-road-ready AT4X model on display even had book-matched carbon fiber accents.

One of the 2027 Sierra’s signature interior features is undoubtedly the new MultiPro center console, which should be standard on every model that comes with a console. This setup includes a deep storage well that will be very handy. It houses a couple of wireless charging pads, and the cupholders even slide fore and aft to provide access to items stashed below. But the best part of this assembly is the armrest. It flips up for accessing the lower storage area, but much like in the Ford F-150, this also folds forward, exposing a flat surface that’s ideal for eating your lunch, writing notes, or responding to emails. There are even two USB type-C ports at the back to keep your devices fully charged.

A Technological Tour de Force

Aside from that super-versatile console, the new GMC Sierra’s interior has plenty of other tricks up its sleeve. When it comes to technology, a whole bunch of displays are available; in total, some 60 inches of digital real estate.

The Denali Ultimate model shown had a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15-inch head-up display, there was a 16.3-inch central touchscreen, an 8.5-inch digital rearview mirror, and even a 11.5-inch passenger-side screen to keep them entertained.

Another nifty parlor trick: the passenger display can be partially obscured by a retractable cover. When deployed, this piece blends in nicely with the rest of the dashboard. Similarly, the central touchscreen moves as well. At the push of a button, it motors outward and upward, revealing a hidden storage cubby, a great place to stash small items you want to keep out of sight and out of mind.

Powering that phalanx of displays is a new Google-based infotainment system. Engineers emphasized performance and usability with this software, and it really shows. During our brief time with this system, the interface seemed very intuitive and easy to navigate, and the performance was basically instantaneous. Swiping through screens and rapidly pinching and zooming on the map revealed zero stuttering or lag, which is impressive. The final cherry on this multimedia cake, Apple CarPlay is also supported, so if you have an iPhone, you’ll be good to go.

Tucked behind those beautiful stainless-steel covers, the new Sierra is also available with a 16-speaker Bose premium sound system. This includes sound emitters fitted to the front seat headrests for a more immersive listening experience.

As with many other GM vehicles, this truck is once again offered with the automaker’s excellent and groundbreaking Super Cruise hands-free driving aid. This system works on more than 600,000 miles of compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada, handling the steering, acceleration and stopping as dictated by conditions. Automatic lane-change capability is also supported, and you can even use Super Cruise while towing.

Ready When the Road Ends

Providing greatly enhanced off-road capability, the 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 will once again be offered in a burly AT4X trim. This variant includes a raft of new amenities to transform this truck into a mountain goat. 

AT4X models are fitted with 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires for huge traction. The truck also comes with electronically locking differentials at each end, and there are Multimatic Jounce Control Dampers. Helping all that hardware work better, this model also benefits from a 2-inch suspension lift and a new front fascia, though the hood is different, too, and there are numerous interior enhancements as well.

A Highly Capable Engine Lineup

Speaking of the hood, the 2027 Sierra offers a range of potent engines. The entry-level offering is once again a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers staggering performance: 350 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. At the opposite end of the spectrum is a familiar 3.0-liter Duramax diesel inline-six. Smooth, quiet, and highly efficient, this engine is good for 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque.

Between these bookends are two new V8s. This sixth-generation engine family will be offered in 5.7- and 6.6-liter displacements, a nice upgrade over the outgoing 5.3- and 6.2-liter offerings that, regrettably, have a somewhat tarnished reputation. Expect 402 hp and 428 lb-ft from the smaller V8 and 481hp and 501 lb-ft from the larger one.

Another upgrade for 2027 is the Sierra’s transmission. A 10-speed automatic is now standard with every engine. The eight-speed that used to be offered with the TurboMax has been retired.

Arriving in Late 2026

When it comes to pricing, expect the entry-level 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Pro to start at $51,295. The Elevation model will kick off at $59,995, the AT4 begins at $73,497, the AT4X at $85,495, the Denali can be yours for $76,795 and the Denali Ultimate starts at $87,895.

All these prices include a steep $2,795 in destination fees. Aside from that, official EPA fuel economy figures are not ready quite yet, this information should be made available shortly before the truck goes on sale, which will be soon.

Expect the new Sierra to start arriving at dealerships before the end of the year.

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