2027 Silverado V8 engines are now official: General Motors says its next-generation Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 will offer new naturally aspirated 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter Small Block V8s. The company published the specifications on September 17, 2026 and expects the new trucks at dealerships later this year. It has not released their MSRP yet.
The headline horsepower number belongs to the 6.6-liter V8, but the published maximum towing figures favor the 5.7-liter configuration. That is a useful reminder that an engine’s peak output is only one part of a working truck’s capability.
Quick answer: GM rates the 2027 light-duty truck 5.7L V8 at 402 hp and 428 lb-ft, and the 6.6L V8 at 481 hp and 501 lb-ft. It lists up to 13,700 pounds of towing for a properly equipped Silverado with the 5.7L, versus up to 9,700 pounds with the 6.6L. Actual ratings depend on the truck’s configuration, trim and packages; pricing is still to come.
2027 Silverado and Sierra V8 Specifications
The new L76 5.7L V8 produces 402 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. The L78 6.6L produces 481 horsepower and 501 pound-feet, according to GM. The company says both are part of its sixth-generation Small Block family and will be available at the launch of the next-generation 2027 light-duty pickups. GM calls the 6.6L the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in its segment; that comparison is GM’s claim, not an independent Carvul test.
GM describes a dual-fuel system combining direct and port injection, along with a continuously variable oil pump and an on-engine oil cooler. These are engineering details in the announcement, not evidence that real-world fuel economy or long-term reliability will improve by a specific amount. EPA figures and independent ownership data are still needed.
Why the 5.7L Has the Higher Published Tow Rating
GM’s maximum-towing table lists 13,700 pounds for the Silverado 1500 with the 5.7L and 13,500 for the Sierra 1500. For the 6.6L, it lists 9,700 pounds for Silverado and 9,400 for Sierra. Maximum payload figures also differ: up to 2,170 and 2,140 pounds with the 5.7L, respectively, versus 1,510 and 1,450 pounds with the 6.6L.
The press release does not by itself establish why each configuration receives that rating. It does establish that more horsepower does not automatically mean more maximum towing. Truck ratings reflect the entire vehicle specification, not simply engine output. GM says trim, packages and configuration affect the numbers. Buyers should check the trailering guide, equipment sticker and door-jamb payload label for the exact VIN before making a towing plan.
Also account for the trailer’s loaded weight, tongue weight, passengers and cargo. A truck advertised with a high maximum can have much less payload available after people and gear are aboard. Read Carvul’s inspection checklist if evaluating a used towing truck instead of a new 2027 model.
What About the TurboMax and Duramax?
GM’s announced four-engine light-duty lineup also includes an enhanced TurboMax gasoline engine rated at 350 horsepower and 455 pound-feet, and a returning 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel rated at 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet. GM lists maximum Silverado tow figures of 9,400 and 12,000 pounds for those engines, respectively. Every announced 2027 light-duty truck engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
That gives a buyer more than a simple V8-or-nothing choice. A diesel may suit long-distance towing; a gasoline engine may suit lower annual mileage or a simpler fuel routine. But the best choice depends on the final vehicle price, available axle and trailering packages, fuel costs, service requirements and the loads actually hauled. Those costs cannot be calculated responsibly until pricing and final configurations are available.
Five Checks Before Choosing a 2027 GM Truck Engine
1. Define the job before the engine
List the trailer’s loaded weight, trip frequency, payload needs and terrain. A truck bought for occasional furniture runs has a different ideal setup from one pulling a loaded trailer every weekend.
2. Ask for the exact tow and payload labels
Do not shop from a press-release maximum alone. Confirm your trim, cab, bed, drive system, axle, wheels and installed towing equipment. Keep a margin for passengers and cargo.
3. Wait for the actual price and EPA label
GM says additional vehicle details, including MSRP, will follow. Any claim that one V8 is a better value before pricing and fuel-economy data is premature. Compare the full out-the-door quote when order guides are available; Carvul’s fee guide gives a useful line-item method.
4. Test the truck you will drive
Evaluate low-speed response, noise, visibility, seating and the controls you use every day. GM has separately detailed a new interface for the 2027 Silverado and Sierra; software and physical controls can matter as much as power on long trips.
5. Compare used alternatives honestly
A discounted current-generation truck may be a better value for some households, but check its condition, history and maintenance. Ask for service records and verify the VIN with NHTSA’s official recall lookup. Future 2027 resale value cannot be known today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2027 Silverado 1500 getting a 6.6L V8?
Yes. GM says the new L78 6.6L naturally aspirated V8 will be available on its next-generation light-duty Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500. Specific trim availability was not fully detailed in the engine announcement.
Which new V8 has the highest maximum towing rating?
In GM’s published table, the 5.7L has the higher maximum: up to 13,700 pounds in a properly equipped Silverado 1500. Check the exact configuration’s rating before towing.
How much will a 2027 Silverado or Sierra with a V8 cost?
GM says it will share MSRP in a future update. No official price was included in the September 17 engine release.
Bottom Line
GM has confirmed two new V8 choices, and the engine with the larger horsepower figure is not the one with the highest published maximum tow rating. For a U.S. buyer, the next step is to compare the exact truck’s rating and equipment when orders open, then weigh the confirmed price and operating costs against how the truck will be used.
Primary source reviewed September 18, 2026: GM’s sixth-generation Small Block V8 announcement and light-duty powertrain table. Images are Carvul editorial illustrations, not photographs of production GM trucks or engines.