The 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab and Double Cab Are Real, and They Out-Tow and Out-Haul the Crew Cab
Every photo, spec sheet, and first look of the next-generation 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 so far has featured the same thing: a four-door Crew Cab. That makes sense, since the Crew Cab is the volume seller. However, it’s easy to walk away thinking the Sierra 1500 Double Cab and Regular Cab are gone.
They’re not. In fact, GMC’s own numbers show that these overlooked cabs hold the best towing and payload ratings in the entire 2027 Sierra 1500 lineup.
Yes, the Regular Cab and Double Cab Are Coming
The 2027 Sierra 1500 order guide that GMC publishes for dealers and fleet buyers lists nine models. Four are Regular Cabs, two are Double Cabs, and three are Crew Cabs:
- Regular Cab with the 6-foot-6-inch standard bed, in 2WD or 4WD
- Regular Cab with the 8-foot long bed, in 2WD or 4WD
- Double Cab with the 6-foot-6-inch standard bed, in 2WD or 4WD
- Crew Cab with the short bed in 2WD or 4WD, plus a 4WD Crew Cab with the standard bed
The catch is timing. The order guide flags every Regular Cab and Double Cab as late availability. Likewise, GMC’s full specifications announcement says Regular Cab, Double Cab, and additional configuration availability will be announced as production expands. As a result, the first trucks to reach dealers before the end of 2026 will be Crew Cabs.
Trims and Engines You Can Get
The two-door and extended cabs don’t get the full trim menu. The AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate are all Crew Cab only, so the Regular Cab and Double Cab focus on the working end of the lineup.
| Cab | Trims | Standard Engine | Available Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab, standard bed | Pro | 2.7L TurboMax | None |
| Regular Cab, long bed | Pro | 2.7L TurboMax | 5.7L V8 |
| Double Cab | Pro, Elevation | 2.7L TurboMax | 5.7L V8 |
Every one of these trucks starts with the 2.7-liter TurboMax, which now makes 350 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque and pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The only upgrade is the new 5.7-liter V8, with 402 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. On the Double Cab, the V8 also requires the Convenience Package.
That means no 3.0-liter Duramax diesel and no 6.6-liter V8 for either body style. The order guide says the diesel requires a Crew Cab, while the 6.6-liter is only offered on the Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate. For the full breakdown, see our guide to which engine comes on every 2027 Sierra 1500 trim.
Two Flavors of Double Cab Elevation
The Double Cab Elevation comes in two versions. One is a 4WD model built around the X31 Off-Road Package and the TurboMax engine. The other offers the 5.7-liter V8, and it’s also the only version of any Sierra 1500 that can get the Max Trailering Package. That package requires 4WD, the Trailer Technology Package, 20-inch all-terrain tires, and a spray-on bedliner when paired with the V8.
The Surprise: Best-in-Lineup Towing and Payload
Here’s the part that caught our attention. According to GMC’s specification tables, the lineup’s top ratings don’t belong to the Crew Cab at all.
| Cab | Best Max Payload | Best Max Trailering |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab | 2,310 lbs. (2WD, 2.7L TurboMax) | 9,700 lbs. (2WD, 5.7L V8) |
| Double Cab | 2,040 lbs. (4WD, 2.7L TurboMax) | 13,500 lbs. (4WD, 5.7L V8, Max Trailering Package) |
| Crew Cab | 2,020 lbs. (4WD, 2.7L TurboMax) | 13,300 lbs. (4WD, 5.7L V8, Max Trailering Package) |
The 2WD Regular Cab with the TurboMax is the payload champ at 2,310 pounds. Meanwhile, the Sierra 1500 Double Cab with the 5.7-liter V8 and the Max Trailering Package is the towing champ at 13,500 pounds, which is 200 pounds more than the best Crew Cab. Even without that package, a 2WD Double Cab with the V8 is rated at 10,400 pounds, compared with 10,300 pounds for the equivalent Crew Cab.
The reason is simple physics. A smaller cab means less weight. For example, a 2WD Regular Cab standard bed with the TurboMax has a base curb weight of 4,590 pounds, the lightest in the lineup. Less truck leaves more room within the gross weight ratings for cargo and trailer.
What Life Looks Like Inside
Every 2027 Sierra 1500, including the base Pro, gets a 16.3-inch center touchscreen. Beyond that, the experience depends a lot on which cab you choose.
Regular Cab
The Regular Cab is a pure work truck. The Pro comes with a 40/20/40 split front bench and a six-way manual driver’s seat. Regular Cab models also get a four-speaker audio system, and the order guide notes that carpeting isn’t available. Rear air vents and rear USB ports aren’t offered either, since there’s no back seat to use them.
Double Cab
The Sierra 1500 Double Cab is the family-friendly middle ground. It gets a 3-passenger rear 60/40 folding bench that folds up for extra cargo space, and it includes child seat top tethers. Rear air vents, two rear charge-only USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, the Rear Seat Reminder, and the rear seat belt indicator are all standard. On the Pro, pairing the front bench with the rear bench means seating for up to six.
Of course, the Double Cab’s rear seat is smaller than the Crew Cab’s, so families running rear-facing car seats every day should still take a close look at the Crew Cab. Still, for weekend sports practice or occasional passengers, the Double Cab covers a lot of ground.
Should You Wait for One?
It depends on what you need the truck to do.
Wait for the Double Cab if you tow heavy. A 4WD Double Cab Elevation with the 5.7-liter V8 and the Max Trailering Package is the highest-rated towing configuration GMC offers in the 2027 Sierra 1500. On top of that, its 6-foot-6-inch bed is longer than the Crew Cab’s short bed.
Wait for the Regular Cab if you haul. The Regular Cab is the payload leader, and the long bed version is the only Regular Cab that offers the V8. Business owners will also note that the Pro can get a Snow Plow Prep Package with 4WD and the 5.7-liter V8.
Buy a Crew Cab if you need the diesel, the 6.6-liter V8, or a premium trim. Those are Crew Cab only, so there’s no reason to wait.
Pricing is the other open question. GMC’s announced starting prices, which begin at $51,295 for a 4WD Crew Cab Pro including destination, cover Crew Cab models. Pickup Truck Talk notes that those are announced trim starting prices, not a complete price list for every configuration. Because the Regular Cab and Double Cab carry fewer features and lighter hardware, we’d expect them to start lower. See how the 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 just changed the truck math.
Final Thoughts
The Crew Cab will sell in the biggest numbers, and it gets every premium trim and engine. Even so, the Regular Cab and Double Cab aren’t afterthoughts. They carry the 2027 Sierra 1500’s best payload and towing ratings, a longer bed, and a simpler, lighter recipe that work truck buyers have always valued.
We’re still waiting to see the Regular Cab and Double Cab in person. Subscribe to GT: Garage Talk® on YouTube, and we’ll bring you a closer look as soon as they arrive.