• Auto123 gets in a first test drive of the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD.
Tucson, AZ — When you have a pickup offering 555 hp and 1,230 lb-ft of torque, well you expect it to get even a massive trailer moving. What you don’t expect, is that it can do it so smoothly and seemingly without effort, even when that trailer tips the scale at about 35,000 lb. You guessed it, that’s precisely what we observed behind the wheel of the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD on a recent fall day on the closed circuit at Tucson Dragway.
This first encounter with Chevy’s 2027 HD lineup also took us into Coronado National Forest, this time at the helm of a Silverado 2500 HD ZR2. Between the two exercises, we were able to appreciate the full scope of the truck's capabilities, but also to see where its overall footprint ultimately complicates the task.
Where is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD assembled?
Chevrolet will continue build the Silverado HD in Oshawa, Ontario as well as in Flint, Michigan.
2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD - What's new?
For 2027, Chevrolet is renewing both of its full-size truck families, though the end result differs between them. In the Silverado 1500, the spotlight is on two new gas V8 engines, a redesigned body and an overhauled cabin. In the HD, the most significant changes sit under the hood and beneath the skin.
The 6.6L Duramax makes way for a new 8.3L V8 turbodiesel, while the 6.6L gas V8 remains but receives upgrades. GM also introduces electric power rack-and-pinion steering and an electronically assisted braking system dubbed E-Boost. Simply put, Chevrolet focused just as much on how the truck behaves with a trailer attached as on the maximum load it can pull.
Design and Interior of the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD - 7.5/10
The Silverado HD remains instantly recognizable, and that applies across the board. (Chevrolet maintains a lineup spanning from the work-focused WT up to the plush High Country.)
Of the lot, it’s the ZR2 that states its intentions most clearly. Its 35-inch tires and 1.5-inch factory lift give it an appearance to match what it can do. The aluminium skid plates serve a true purpose as well, as the rocky Coronado trail reminded us.
Inside the cabin, the HD differs from the new 1500 in that it doesn’t rely on screen proliferation as its main selling point. The central display proves most useful when displaying camera views for hitching or trailer manoeuvring.
Technology in the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD – 8.0/10
The E-Boost system is most noticeable when slowing down with a heavy trailer attached. We appreciated the progressive pedal feel and the ease with which braking force could be modulated. GM also upgraded the hardware: front rotors are larger and calipers feature four pistons.
When towing, you also appreciate technologies that address simple needs. A bed-view camera aids in lining up the hitch, while surround-view camera angles covering the truck and trailer simplify manoeuvres. On the ZR2, the new Terrain mode can apply the brakes when you lift off the accelerator, allowing for finer control at low speeds.
Powertrain of the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD – 9.0/10
The new 8.3L Duramax develops 555 hp and 1,230 lb-ft of torque. Designed in-house by GM, it will be manufactured in Brookville, Ohio. The 6.6L gas V8 rises to 412 hp and 472 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission.
According to data presented by GM, 73 percent of its retail HD truck buyers opt for the diesel. It’s thus not surprising to see the automaker invest so much effort into that powertrain. Maximum advertised towing capacity is 38,000 lb via a gooseneck hitch when properly equipped. With a conventional hitch, maximum capacity stands at 20,000 lb.
Fuel consumption
Our first test drive focused on exploring the lineup. Time was limited, and jumping from model to model meant we couldn’t properly measure fuel consumption. A longer test drive will be required to compare operating costs between the two engines.
That said, the timing for launching an 8.3L diesel is admittedly less than ideal: at the time of writing, diesel is hovering around $2.80 per litre in Quebec. On the other hand, for an owner who tows regularly, the Duramax's efficiency on the job matters just as much as the price at the pump.
Driving the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado HD – 9.0/10
Let loose at Tucson Dragway, we towed roughly 35,000 lb using a fifth-wheel hitch on a regular cab 3500 HD. What surprised us most was the sheer composure of the truck. Acceleration was smooth, the entire rig remained fully controllable at highway speeds, and low-speed manoeuvres required far less effort than anticipated. As impressive as the raw power of the Duramax is, the ease with which you can deploy is even more so.
The 2500 HD ZR2 impressed us for different reasons in the Coronado National Forest. Its four-wheel-drive system, Multimatic DSSV dampers and locking rear differential allow it to tackle obstacles that would make you hesitate to enter in a truck of this scale.
Surround cameras ease off-road driving significantly: you can see rocks hidden beneath the nose and position your front wheels precisely before committing.
That said, its overall width and length require careful line selection. To regularly navigate trails that narrow and rough, we would choose a Jeep Wrangler. The exercise mainly proves that the ZR2 can hold its own in terrain where its dimensions ought to put it at a severe disadvantage.
Not long ago, the idea of daily driving an HD pickup held little appeal, regardless of the brand. The 2027 Silverado HD highlights how far things have progressed. You still have to manage its size, particularly when parking in urban settings, but its refined steering and braking make daily operation significantly less demanding. If you require an HD truck to haul heavy loads, you won't feel like you're imposing a chore on yourself when driving it the rest of the week.
The final word
As mentioned, Chevrolet continues to produce the Silverado HD in Oshawa as well as in Flint. Amid an ongoing tariff war, maintaining this production footprint in Canada is worth highlighting. It comes during a period of retrenchment for the Canadian auto industry, with the Oshawa plant having already lost its third shift earlier this year.
Beyond that, the new Duramax is the star of this model-year. After towing 35,000 lb, we came away just as impressed by the smooth acceleration, manoeuvring precision and easily modulated braking as by the engine's raw output. For people who spend their days towing, these refined control inputs are likely the advancements that will make the biggest real-world difference.