2027 Silverado 1500 vs 2027 Ram 1500: Small-Block vs HEMI The 2027 Silverado 1500's new 5.7L small-block makes 402 hp and tows up to 13,700 lb, while the Ram 1500's 5.7L HEMI makes 395 hp and tows up to 11,470 lb. That gap is the heart of this matchup, but Ram brings real strengths, from the Hurricane inline-six to a 777-hp supercharged TRX. Here's how we see it from the Chevy side of the lot at Knudtsen Chevrolet. Some background first. The Silverado is fully redesigned for 2027, with new styling, a new cabin and two new Gen 6 V8s. If you missed it, our 2027 Silverado redesign overview covers the whole truck. How does the Silverado 5.7L V8 compare to the Ram 5.7L HEMI? Chevy's 5.7L makes 402 hp and 428 lb-ft, edging the Ram 5.7L HEMI at 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. On paper the power gap is small. The towing gap isn't: the Silverado 5.7L is rated up to 13,700 lb with the Max Trailering package, versus 11,470 lb for the HEMI. That's more than a ton of extra capacity from the same displacement. The Chevy engine is all new. It displaces exactly 350 cubic inches, with "350" cast into the block, and it replaces the old 5.3L. GM stretched the stroke 6 mm, raised compression and added port injection alongside direct injection, while keeping pushrods and the 4.40-inch bore spacing used since 1955. It runs on regular 87 octane. For the full engineering story, read our post on why the 350 is back for 2027. The HEMI has its own following, and on most Ram trims it comes as an eTorque mild hybrid, which Chevy doesn't offer. Ram brought the 5.7L back for 2026, and it carries on for 2027. If you love the HEMI, we get it. We'd just point to that towing number. Which truck tows more, Silverado or Ram 1500? The 2027 Silverado tows up to 13,700 lb, which GM calls best in class, while the 2027 Ram 1500 tops out at 11,530 lb with its standard-output Hurricane inline-six. That's a 2,170-lb advantage for Chevy at the top of the chart. Go down the engine lists and the Silverado stays competitive at every step. The Duramax diesel tows up to 12,000 lb, more than any Ram 1500 engine. The 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder is rated at 9,400 lb, and the 6.6L V8 at 9,700 lb. For Ram, the high-output Hurricane tows up to 9,480 lb. As always, towing and payload on both trucks vary by configuration, trim and packages, so confirm the rating on the specific truck. Payload is closer. Ram's maximum is 2,340 lb, and the Silverado's best payload is also 2,340 lb, from the TurboMax. Call that one a tie. What about the Ram Hurricane inline-six? Ram's 3.0L Hurricane inline-six makes 420 hp and 469 lb-ft in standard form and 540 hp and 521 lb-ft in high-output form. Those are strong numbers, and the high-output Hurricane is one of Ram's real wins. Nothing in the Silverado lineup matches 540 hp. Chevy's answer splits the job. If you want the most horsepower in a Silverado, the 6.6L V8 makes 481 hp and 501 lb-ft, and GM says it's the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the half-ton class (that claim doesn't count supercharged engines). If you want the most towing, the 5.7L gets you 13,700 lb. The Hurricane's standard version lands between those two in output and below both of Chevy's top towing numbers. Some buyers simply prefer a V8, and the Silverado gives them two new ones. Drive both. Is the Ram TRX or Rumble Bee faster than any Silverado? Yes. The supercharged 6.2L HEMI in the Ram TRX SRT and Rumble Bee SRT makes 777 hp and 680 lb-ft, and no 2027 Silverado comes close. Ram also offers a 6.4L HEMI in Rumble Bee models at 470 hp. We won't pretend otherwise. If straight-line speed and a supercharger whine are what you're shopping for, the TRX is in a class of its own. The Silverado's top performance and off-road model is the ZR2, which takes a different approach: 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a 2-inch lift, front and rear e-lockers and Multimatic DSSV dampers, at a starting price of $79,995 including destination. It's built to crawl and soak up rough terrain rather than chase TRX horsepower. Does the Ram 1500 offer a diesel? No. The Ram 1500 does not offer a diesel, and the Silverado's 3.0L Duramax is the only diesel in the half-ton segment. It makes 305 hp and 495 lb-ft, tows up to 12,000 lb, and GM estimates 27 mpg highway in 2WD form. The range is the headline. With the available 34-gallon tank, GM quotes more than 900 miles of highway driving between fill-ups. For anyone who tows a camper across several states or racks up highway miles for work, that's a big deal. How do ride and comfort compare? Ram's coil-spring rear suspension has a well-earned reputation for a smooth ride, and that's a fair point in its favor. Many owners pick a Ram for exactly that reason. The Silverado counters with a fully new cabin. Every trim, including the Work Truck, gets a 16.3-inch center touchscreen (class-leading, per Chevy) and a 12.2-inch digital driver display. Seats are new and wider. High Country adds Adaptive Ride Control, and both High Country and ZR2 add an 11.5-inch passenger screen and head-up display. Hands-free driving is another Silverado point. Super Cruise is standard on High Country and ZR2, available on the Silverado and Trail Boss trims, and works while trailering. Lane changes are not available while towing, and the system comes with three years of OnStar, after which a Super Cruise plan must be purchased. Which should you buy, Silverado or Ram 1500? Buy the Silverado if towing, a V8 or a diesel is high on your list, and look hard at the Ram if you want maximum horsepower, a TRX or that coil-spring ride. Here's the scorecard as we see it. Silverado wins: 13,700 lb max towing versus 11,530 lb, a 5.7L V8 that out-pulls the 5.7L HEMI by more than 2,000 lb, the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the class (per GM), a diesel option Ram doesn't have, and a ground-up redesign with big standard screens. Ram wins: the 540-hp high-output Hurricane, the 777-hp TRX and Rumble Bee SRT, and a ride many drivers love. Our 2027 Silverado 1500 vs Ram 1500 comparison page has the numbers side by side, and the Silverado competition overview brings the Ford F-150 into the picture as well. You can also check our earlier Silverado vs F-150 comparison. When the 2027 trucks land, come drive one back to back with whatever else you're considering. Browse new Silverado inventory or contact Knudtsen Chevrolet to get on the list for a test drive. Frequently Asked Questions Does the Silverado 5.7L make more power than the Ram 5.7L HEMI? Slightly. The Silverado 5.7L makes 402 hp and 428 lb-ft, compared with 395 hp and 410 lb-ft for the Ram 5.7L HEMI. How much more can the Silverado tow than the Ram 1500? The Silverado tows up to 13,700 lb with the 5.7L and Max Trailering package. The Ram 1500 tops out at 11,530 lb with the standard Hurricane. Ratings vary by configuration. Can I get a diesel Ram 1500 for 2027? No. The Silverado's 3.0L Duramax is the only diesel offered in a 2027 half-ton. What is the most powerful 2027 Silverado engine? The 6.6L V8 at 481 hp and 501 lb-ft. GM says it's the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the half-ton class. Does Ram have anything faster than the Silverado? Yes. The supercharged TRX SRT and Rumble Bee SRT make 777 hp, and the high-output Hurricane makes 540 hp.

Goodbye LT, Hello "Silverado": The 2027 Silverado Trim Lineup Explained The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes in seven trims, priced from $41,395 to $79,995 including destination, and the familiar LT badge is gone. In its place is a trim named, simply, Silverado. The RST and LTZ are also out of the 2027 lineup. That's a big reshuffle, so this guide walks up the ladder one trim at a time with the price, what you get and who each truck is really for. For the bigger picture on the redesign, including the new engines and safety features, see everything that changed on the all-new 2027 Silverado 1500. What do all 2027 Silverado trims have in common? Every 2027 Silverado trim gets a 16.3-inch center touchscreen, a 12.2-inch digital driver display and the full list of standard safety features. That includes the new Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, Side Bicyclist Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking, plus Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Zone Steering Assist and Front and Rear Park Assist. Every trim also gets a 10-speed automatic, regardless of engine. That matters because it means stepping up a trim is about style, comfort and capability, not about getting basic tech. Even the cheapest Silverado has a screen Chevrolet calls the largest in the class. Who is the 2027 Silverado Work Truck for? The 2027 Silverado Work Truck starts at $41,395 and is built for fleet and commercial buyers. Steel wheels are available, the interior is designed to clean up easily, and the truck is set up for common upfits in construction, utilities and municipal work. The interior is Jet Black. It's for businesses and anyone who sees a truck as a tool. Skipping the extras doesn't mean skipping the 16.3-inch screen or the new safety tech, which makes the WT a better daily driver than work trucks used to be. See the details on our 2027 Silverado Work Truck page. What does the 2027 Silverado Custom add? The 2027 Silverado Custom starts at $46,395 and adds dual exhaust and 20-inch Technical Gray machine-faced wheels as standard. Interior is Jet Black. The Custom is for the buyer who wants a truck that looks finished without paying for a long feature list. It's a sharp, sensible personal truck, and the bigger wheels and dual exhaust make it look like more than a base model. Learn more on the 2027 Silverado Custom page. What replaced the Silverado LT for 2027? A trim called Silverado replaces the LT for 2027, starting at $50,695. In 4WD form it comes with the Z71 package standard, which includes skid plates, hill descent control and off-road suspension. Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance is available, and you can choose a Jet Black or Jet Black/Oregon interior. This is the trim we expect most of our retail customers to buy. It's the middle of the lineup, it gives 4WD buyers real off-road hardware without a lift, and it's the most affordable way to get Super Cruise, which works while towing on the 2027. If you used to shop the LT, start here. Our 2027 Silverado trim page has the full feature list. Who is the Custom Trail Boss for? The 2027 Silverado Custom Trail Boss starts at $57,195 and is the cheapest way into a lifted Silverado, with a 2-inch lift and 34-inch tires. Interior is Jet Black. It's for the buyer who wants the lifted look and real trail clearance on a budget. You give up the interior upgrades of the full Trail Boss, but you keep the stance. It's one of three lifted trims, along with the Trail Boss and ZR2. Get the specifics on our 2027 Silverado Custom Trail Boss page. What do you get with the 2027 Silverado Trail Boss? The 2027 Silverado Trail Boss starts at $63,995 and adds a 2-inch factory lift, 34-inch mud-terrain tires, a dedicated off-road hood and monotube shocks. Inside, there are two unique interior themes (Jet Black or Jet Black/Gideon), Torch Red-edged seatbelts and fabric seat inserts with custom perforation. Super Cruise is available. The Trail Boss is for weekend off-roaders who also commute in their truck all week. It looks the part, it's equipped for mud and ruts, and the cabin feels special without going full luxury. See it on our 2027 Silverado Trail Boss page. What's new on the 2027 Silverado High Country? The 2027 Silverado High Country starts at $74,495 and moves away from the old Western theme toward darker satin finishes. It gets standard 22-inch After Midnight machine-faced wheels, an exclusive Tritan Satin grille, a new High Country badge and the first panoramic sunroof ever offered on a Silverado. Inside, choose light or dark themes (Jet Black or Jet Black/Enoki), real wood decor and Natural Tan-edged seatbelts, with microfiber suede available. Adaptive Ride Control is standard, as are the 11.5-inch passenger screen, head-up display, rear camera mirror and Super Cruise. The front seatback folds into a flat work surface, too. The High Country is for the buyer who wants a luxury vehicle that also happens to tow. It's also where you'll most often find the 481-hp 6.6L V8. Details are on our 2027 Silverado High Country page. Is the 2027 Silverado ZR2 worth $79,995? The 2027 Silverado ZR2 starts at $79,995, and Chevrolet calls it the most off-road capable ZR2 ever. It gets 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a 2-inch lift, an off-road hood with a power dome, standard front and rear e-lockers and Multimatic DSSV dampers plus jounce dampers. Torch Red accents and real forged carbon-fiber trim (GM's first use of forged carbon) dress up the Jet Black/Dark Galvanized cabin, and it shares the High Country's passenger screen, head-up display, rear camera mirror and standard Super Cruise. It's worth the money if you'll actually use it off-road. The dampers and lockers are the real reasons to buy a ZR2. If you mostly want the look, the Trail Boss gets you most of the way for $16,000 less. For buyers who want even more armor, the available ZR2 Bison edition, built with American Expedition Vehicles, adds AEV bumpers, rocker protection, 18-inch beadlock-capable wheels and skid plates for the front underbody, transfer case, rear differential and fuel tank. Ask us about Bison pricing. Read more on our 2027 Silverado ZR2 page. Which 2027 Silverado trim should you buy? For most people, the Silverado trim at $50,695 is the right answer. It has the screens, the safety tech, Z71 hardware in 4WD and available Super Cruise. Businesses should start with the Work Truck. Budget-minded personal buyers will like the Custom. Off-roaders should pick between Custom Trail Boss, Trail Boss and ZR2 based on how hard they'll push the truck. Buyers who want comfort first should go High Country. Engine choice depends on trim, and towing and payload vary by configuration, so match the trim to the work you'll do. The 2027 Silverado trim levels page compares everything side by side, and our post on 2027 Silverado engine options explains which engine suits which job. When you've narrowed it down, check new inventory at Knudtsen Chevrolet or ask our team to help you order the exact truck you want. Frequently Asked Questions How many trims does the 2027 Silverado 1500 have? Seven: Work Truck, Custom, Silverado, Custom Trail Boss, Trail Boss, High Country and ZR2. A ZR2 Bison edition is also available. Why did Chevy drop the LT trim? Chevrolet renamed it. The trim that replaces the LT is called Silverado and starts at $50,695. What is the cheapest 2027 Silverado? The Work Truck, at $41,395 including destination. Which 2027 Silverado trims are lifted? Three: the Custom Trail Boss, Trail Boss and ZR2, each with a 2-inch lift. Which trims have Super Cruise? It's standard on High Country and ZR2 and available on the Silverado and Trail Boss trims.

2026 vs 2027 Silverado 1500: Should You Buy Now or Wait? If you need a truck this fall, a 2026 Silverado 1500 is still a very good buy, and current offers make it a better one. If you tow heavy, want the new screens and safety tech, or can live with your current truck until the end of the year, the 2027 is worth waiting for. For the full rundown on the new truck, read our guide to everything that changed on the 2027 Silverado 1500. What's the biggest difference between the 2026 and 2027 Silverado? The 2027 Silverado is a ground-up redesign with new engines, a new interior, new safety features and a new trim lineup, while the 2026 is the final year of the current generation. That's a bigger gap than the usual model-year change. The 2026 has had years to get its bugs worked out. The 2027 has the latest hardware but is a first-year design with first-year engines. How do the 2026 and 2027 Silverado engines compare? Every 2027 gas engine makes more power than the 2026 engine it replaces. The base 2.7L TurboMax goes from 310 hp and 430 lb-ft to 350 hp and 455 lb-ft, and it trades the 8-speed for a 10-speed automatic. The 5.3L V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft) gives way to a 5.7L V8 making 402 hp and 428 lb-ft. The 6.2L V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) is replaced by a 6.6L making 481 hp and 501 lb-ft. The 3.0L Duramax stays at 305 hp and 495 lb-ft, with internal updates. Those are meaningful gains. A 2027 base truck makes almost as much horsepower as a 2026 5.3L V8. If you've been stepping up to a V8 mainly for power, the 2027 TurboMax may change your math. We cover all four new engines in detail in The 350 Is Back: 2027 Silverado engine options explained. Who should buy a 2026 Silverado now? Buy a 2026 if you need a truck now, if you prefer a proven V8, if you want an LT, RST or LTZ, or if you want to take advantage of current offers. Each of those is a legitimate reason, and here's why. You need a truck now. The 2027 is expected to go on sale at the end of 2026, and early supply of specific trims and engines can be tight. If your current truck is failing or your business needs another unit this month, waiting costs you real money. You want a proven V8. The 2026 V8s use the Gen 5 design that's been in service for years, dipstick included. The 2027 V8s are brand-new engines. GM planned more than 1.5 million miles of real-world validation before they reach dealers, which is a lot of testing, but some buyers simply prefer an engine with a long track record. That's a reasonable preference. You like the LT, RST or LTZ. All three are gone for 2027. The LT's role goes to a trim named Silverado, while the RST and LTZ don't have direct replacements. If one of those trucks fits you exactly, 2026 is the last chance to buy one new. You want a deal. GM has run financing offers on 2026 Silverados this fall. Rates and terms change, so check the current Knudtsen Chevrolet specials before you decide. You can also browse the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 overview to see what the outgoing truck offers. Who should wait for the 2027 Silverado? Wait for the 2027 if you tow heavy or long distances, want the larger screens, value the new standard safety features, or want more power from the base engine. These upgrades are substantial, not cosmetic. Towing is the strongest argument. The 2027 5.7L V8 is rated up to 13,700 pounds with the Max Trailering package, which GM says is best in class, and the package includes an extra-capacity cooling system. Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance now works while trailering, which Chevrolet says is exclusive in the segment. It's standard on High Country and ZR2 and available on the Silverado and Trail Boss trims. Lane changes are not automated while towing, and Super Cruise requires a paid plan after three years of included OnStar. Towing and payload vary by configuration, so always check the specific truck. Screens are the second argument. Every 2027 trim gets a 16.3-inch center touchscreen and a 12.2-inch digital driver display, even the $41,395 Work Truck. High Country and ZR2 add an 11.5-inch passenger screen, a head-up display and a rear camera mirror. Chevy kept physical switches for the most-used controls, which is the right call. Safety is the third. The 2027 adds standard Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking, Side Bicyclist Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking across the lineup. If you have teen drivers in the house or put a lot of employees behind the wheel, those features carry real weight. Base engine power is the fourth. A 350-hp, 455 lb-ft standard engine with a 10-speed, highest payload of the lineup at 2,340 pounds and up to 9,400 pounds of towing is a strong starting point. GM says that torque figure is the best standard torque in the class. Will the 2027 Silverado cost more than the 2026? The 2027 Silverado starts at $41,395 for the Work Truck and climbs to $79,995 for the ZR2, both including destination. The middle of the range sits at $50,695 for the new Silverado trim. We aren't going to compare that to a 2026 sticker here, because the real comparison is the out-the-door number on two specific trucks, including whatever offers apply to the 2026 that week. The fair way to decide is to price both. Pick the 2026 you'd buy, pick the 2027 trim and engine you'd want, and compare. The 2027 Silverado trim levels page lists every starting price. Is it risky to buy a first-year engine? Any first-year engine carries more unknowns than one that's been in production for years, and that's true of the 2027 Gen 6 V8s. They have a longer stroke, dual injection, a new oiling system, no dipstick and no conventional thermostat. GM has said it planned more than 1.5 million miles of validation, and the engines keep the same basic pushrod layout and 4.40-inch bore spacing the small-block has used since 1955. Our view: if you keep trucks a long time and you like the idea of the newest design, the 2027 makes sense. If you'd rather let other owners rack up the first year of miles, a 2026 or a 2027 with the TurboMax or Duramax are both reasonable paths. How do I decide between a 2026 and 2027 Silverado? Ask yourself three questions. Do you need the truck before the end of the year? Do you tow more than about 9,000 pounds or tow long highway trips? Do you want an LT, RST or LTZ specifically? A yes to the first or third points to 2026. A yes to the second points to 2027. Either way, a conversation is faster than a guessing game. Look through new Silverado inventory at Knudtsen Chevrolet, check current specials, and our team will tell you straight what's on the ground now and what we expect for 2027. Frequently Asked Questions When does the 2027 Silverado 1500 go on sale? Chevrolet expects it to go on sale at the end of 2026. Is the 2027 Silverado more powerful than the 2026? Yes. Each gas engine makes more power: 350 hp vs 310 hp for the TurboMax, 402 hp vs 355 hp for the 5.7L vs 5.3L, and 481 hp vs 420 hp for the 6.6L vs 6.2L. Can I still buy a Silverado LT, RST or LTZ for 2027? No. LT becomes the Silverado trim, and RST and LTZ are not in the 2027 lineup. Are there financing offers on 2026 Silverados? GM has run financing offers on 2026 Silverados this fall. Check the Knudtsen Chevrolet specials page for current terms. Does the 2026 Silverado have a dipstick? Yes. The 2026 V8s use the Gen 5 design with a dipstick. The 2027 V8s use an oil level sensor read on the in-cab screen instead.