At first glance, it’s a familiar silhouette. A boxy, rugged shape, a stance that means business. But look closer, behind the camo, something’s shifting. And in a market where perception often drives loyalty, the next iteration of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra seems ready to quietly, but deliberately, rewrite its own rules.
Leaked patent drawings, combined with General Motors’ own recent financial disclosures, suggest that the 2027 generation of these full-size pickups will be more than just another refresh. It’s a step forward in both engineering and design, though not a revolution. Evolution, not reinvention, appears to be the guiding principle.
A Confirmed Redesign After Years of Incremental Change
The Silverado and Sierra last saw a full redesign back in 2019, followed by a mid-cycle refresh in 2022. Since then, GM’s updates have focused on trims and tech, ZR2 and AT4X models, for example, but the underlying architecture remained the same. According to GM’s Q4 2025 investor report, this is about to change.
“We will reveal the new Silverado and Sierra this year,” the company stated, without elaborating on dates, reports Carscoops. This brief confirmation marks the official green light for what had already been suspected: a next-gen redesign targeting the 2027 model year, with production possibly beginning in late 2026.
Visual Cues Hint at Evolutionary Styling
Thanks to patent filings unearthed by Car and Driver, we already have a glimpse of the new Silverado’s appearance. The front fascia borrows heavily from the current Chevrolet Traverse, with split lighting elements, a wide mesh grille, and a pronounced horizontal bar.
The side profile remains conservative but slightly more sculpted, with revised front fenders and a more angular shoulder line above the rear wheels. Out back, the tailgate appears to drop the traditional CHEVROLET lettering in favor of a bowtie emblem, paired with redesigned taillights that echo the shape of the F-150 Lightning.
Under the Hood, a New Generation of V8
Alongside the redesign, GM is preparing a new family of V8 engines. An $888 million investment was announced in 2023 to develop what will become the brand’s sixth-generation V8s. These new engines are expected to replace the current 5.3- and 6.2-liter units, which produce 355 hp and 420 hp respectively.
The new powerplants will reportedly feature advanced combustion and thermal management technologies, aiming to balance improved power with lower fuel consumption and emissions. While exact specifications haven’t been released, there are hints of displacements around 5.7 and 6.6 liters. The move is consistent with GM’s broader strategy of extending the life of internal combustion engines even as it ramps up electrification elsewhere.
Old-School Muscle in a Changing Landscape
This decision to double down on a new V8 generation might seem paradoxical in an era of EV announcements and emissions targets. But it reflects market realities. The Silverado remains one of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S., with over 560,000 units sold in 2025, and its buyers expect dependable performance and long-range hauling capability, traits that current EV platforms can’t yet consistently deliver in the full-size pickup segment.
While GM is also developing the all-electric Silverado EV, this next-gen gas-powered model isn’t going away. Instead, it seems positioned to coexist with the EV lineup, serving a different kind of customer, one not yet ready to trade payload capacity for charging times.
What Remains to Be Seen
So far, most information has been visual or mechanical. We still don’t know what to expect inside the cabin, though given industry trends, it’s reasonable to anticipate larger screens, more advanced driver assistance systems, and possibly a next-gen version of GM’s Super Cruise. Materials and fit-and-finish could also see an upgrade, especially in light of competition from Ram and Ford.
It’s also unclear how much of the design will carry over to the GMC Sierra, but historically, the two models have shared platforms while targeting slightly different audiences.
