The 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Ditches the 5.3L and 6.2L V8s: Here’s Which New Engine Every Trim Gets
The V8s you knew are gone. The new Sierra 1500 engines for 2027 include an all-new 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter V8 from GM’s sixth-generation Small Block family, replacing the familiar 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter. Meanwhile, the turbocharged four-cylinder gets a big bump in power, the Duramax diesel carries over, and the trim lineup gets trimmed down to six.
We dug through the 2027 Sierra 1500 order guide that GMC publishes for dealers and fleet buyers to figure out what really matters if you’re shopping for one: which engine comes standard on each trim, which ones you can upgrade to, and the fine print that will decide what ends up in your driveway.
Meet the Four Sierra 1500 Engines
All four 2027 Sierra 1500 engines now pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Notably, that’s a change for the base turbo engine, which used an eight-speed automatic in the outgoing truck. According to GMC’s full specifications announcement, here’s the lineup:
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Rear Axle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L TurboMax I4 | 350 hp | 455 lb-ft | 3.42 |
| 5.7L Small Block V8 | 402 hp | 428 lb-ft | 3.23 |
| 6.6L Small Block V8 | 481 hp | 501 lb-ft | 3.23 |
| 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 | 305 hp | 495 lb-ft | 3.23 |
2.7-liter TurboMax. The standard engine on the Pro and Elevation. It makes 350 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, which is more torque than the new 5.7-liter V8. One catch: the order guide lists the TurboMax as late availability, so the earliest trucks on dealer lots are likely to be V8 and diesel models.
5.7-liter V8. The new volume V8 makes 402 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque and uses Dynamic Fuel Management to shut down cylinders when you don’t need them. When properly equipped, a 5.7-liter Crew Cab 4WD tows up to 13,300 pounds, and a 5.7-liter Double Cab 4WD tows up to 13,500 pounds, the highest rating in the lineup.
6.6-liter V8. This is the most powerful engine GMC has ever put in a half-ton Sierra, with 481 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque. It requires 4WD. It also comes with an extra capacity cooling system, the 34-gallon fuel tank, and an active quad-outlet exhaust with a sport mode. Dealers will also be able to add a Performance Package later in the model year with a cat-back exhaust and performance air intake.
3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel. The inline-six carries over at 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. However, it’s Crew Cab only, and it also includes an engine block heater and an auto-locking rear differential. Paired with the available 34-gallon tank, GMC estimates more than 900 miles of highway range.
Which Engine Comes on Which Trim
This is the part most shoppers care about. The 2027 lineup is Pro, Elevation, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate, and each one has a different engine menu.
| Trim | 2.7L TurboMax | 5.7L V8 | 6.6L V8 | 3.0L Duramax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | Standard | Available | Not available | Available |
| Elevation | Standard | Available | Not available | Available |
| AT4 | Not available | Standard | Not available | Available |
| AT4X | Not available | Not available | Available | Standard |
| Denali | Not available | Standard | Available | Available |
| Denali Ultimate | Not available | Not available | Standard | Available |
Trim-by-Trim Breakdown
Pro: The TurboMax is standard, with the 5.7-liter V8 and the Duramax available. The 5.7-liter isn’t offered on the Regular Cab standard bed, and the diesel requires a Crew Cab.
Elevation: Same story as the Pro, with the TurboMax standard and the 5.7-liter V8 or Duramax available. There’s also a 4WD Elevation configuration built around the X31 Off-Road Package that is TurboMax only. In addition, the Elevation is the only trim that can get the Max Trailering Package, which requires 4WD and either the 5.7-liter V8 or the diesel.
AT4: The 5.7-liter V8 is standard, and the Duramax is the only upgrade. However, the 6.6-liter isn’t on the menu for the AT4. For more on this trim, check out our 2027 GMC Sierra AT4 first look.
AT4X: The Duramax diesel is standard, with the 6.6-liter V8 available for buyers who want maximum power off-road. The AT4X also gets the 2-inch lift with Multimatic DSSV dampers plus front and rear e-lockers, and an AT4X AEV Edition with boron steel skid plates is available.
Denali: The 5.7-liter V8 is standard, and the Denali is the only trim that offers all three upgrades beyond the base engine, with the 6.6-liter V8 and the Duramax both available.
Denali Ultimate: The 6.6-liter V8 is standard, with the Duramax available as a no-compromise highway option.
Don’t Forget About Cab Configuration
Cab choice matters too. Crew Cab models launch first, while Regular Cab and Double Cab models are late availability. Double Cab buyers can choose between the TurboMax and the 5.7-liter V8 only, and Regular Cab trucks are TurboMax only unless you step up to the long bed, which adds the 5.7-liter V8 as an option.
How It Compares to the Outgoing 2026 Sierra 1500
The short version: the new Sierra 1500 engines bring more power across the board, while the lineup gets trimmed down to six models.
| Engine Slot | 2026 Sierra 1500 | 2027 Sierra 1500 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo four-cylinder | 310 hp, 430 lb-ft | 350 hp, 455 lb-ft | +40 hp, +25 lb-ft |
| Mainstream V8 | 5.3L: 355 hp, 383 lb-ft | 5.7L: 402 hp, 428 lb-ft | +47 hp, +45 lb-ft |
| Top V8 | 6.2L: 420 hp, 460 lb-ft | 6.6L: 481 hp, 501 lb-ft | +61 hp, +41 lb-ft |
| Duramax diesel | 305 hp, 495 lb-ft | 305 hp, 495 lb-ft | Unchanged |
| Max towing | 13,300 lbs. (diesel) | 13,500 lbs. (5.7L V8 Double Cab) | +200 lbs. |
The engine changes are part of a broader move by GM, which is putting the same two new V8s in the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado. Our 2027 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 first look covers the 481-horsepower 6.6-liter in Chevy form.
The trim map shifts, too. On the 2026 Sierra 1500, the Denali came standard with the 5.3-liter V8, and the Denali Ultimate came standard with the 6.2-liter V8. For 2027, however, those trims move up to the 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter, respectively. The SLE and SLT trims don’t appear in the 2027 order guide, which leaves the Elevation as the step between the work-focused Pro and the off-road AT4.
Still, price is where you’ll feel it. GMC’s announcement lists a 4WD Crew Cab Pro at $51,295 including destination, and prices climb to $87,895 for the Denali Ultimate. We broke down the full trim pricing in our look at how the 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 just changed the truck math.
What This Means for the Typical Truck Buyer
If you’re a family shopping for a daily driver that tows the camper a few weekends a year, here’s how we’d think about the Sierra 1500 engines.
Picking the Right Engine
The TurboMax is a stronger base engine than ever. With 350 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, it out-torques the new 5.7-liter V8 and now gets the 10-speed automatic. For commuting and light towing, it’s a legitimate choice rather than a compromise. Just be ready to wait, since it’s late availability.
The 5.7-liter V8 is the sweet spot for most people. It’s standard on the AT4 and Denali, available on the Pro and Elevation, and tows up to 13,300 pounds in a properly equipped Crew Cab (13,500 pounds in the Double Cab). If you’ve been driving a 5.3-liter Sierra, this is the direct replacement with about 13% more horsepower.
The Duramax is still the road-trip king. Torque is unchanged, but with the 34-gallon tank and more than 900 miles of estimated highway range, it’s hard to beat for long hauls. Just remember, though, that it’s Crew Cab only.
The 6.6-liter V8 is the fun one. It’s standard on the Denali Ultimate and optional on the Denali and AT4X, and it requires 4WD. In short, if you want a half-ton that feels quick, this is it.
Features and Value
You get more truck for the money, even though the money went up. Every Sierra 1500 now has a 16.3-inch center touchscreen, 12 new standard safety features including Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and 16 bed tie-downs. Additionally, Super Cruise is standard on the AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also stay in the mix alongside Google built-in. One change you’ll notice right away: GM ditched leather from every 2027 Silverado and Sierra 1500.
Finally, one thing we don’t have yet: EPA fuel economy ratings. We’ll update this story once GMC releases MPG numbers for the new V8s, since that will be the final piece of the puzzle for a lot of families.
Final Thoughts
The 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 gives shoppers more power at every level, but which of the new engines you get depends heavily on the trim and cab you pick. If you want the new 6.6-liter V8, you’re looking at a 4WD Denali, AT4X, or Denali Ultimate. Similarly, if you want the diesel, you need a Crew Cab. And if you want the most towing capacity, the 5.7-liter V8 is the engine to get.
First deliveries are expected before the end of 2026. Subscribe to GT: Garage Talk® on YouTube for our full walkaround and family review once we get behind the wheel.