The upcoming 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 are shaping up to be a pivotal launch for General Motors. Not only will the 2027 model year usher in the light-duty Silverado and Sierra’s new generation, but it’ll also debut the new Gen VI GM Small Block V8 engine. The new Small Block will join the TurboMax turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B and the 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax offered currently, however, there’s one upcoming feature that could shift the conversation entirely – and possibly even render the optional LZ0 diesel obsolete.
Of course, the feature we’re referring to is the Gen VI’s new plug-in hybrid powertrain option.
While technical specifications of the upcoming 2027 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra PHEV system have yet to be disclosed, the setup will offer significant benefits when it comes to fuel efficiency and versatility. The onboard battery pack is also expected to support offboard power capabilities, similar to Ford’s Pro Power Onboard feature or the Ram 1500 Ramcharger’s vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) features.
This kind of functionality is becoming a critical differentiator in the highly competitive light-duty pickup segment, and seems to be making the diesel option more or less irrelevant. Ford has already phased out the Power Stroke 3.0L diesel from the F-150 lineup, a move that coincided with the launch of its hybrid offering. Similarly, Ram discontinued its 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, citing its shift toward electrified powertrains.
And while the LZ0 3.0L Duramax continues to deliver solid capability that rivals the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, plus impressive efficiency, without a major leap in innovation, its relevance could be challenged. Meanwhile, a Silverado PHEV option would provide similar towing and torque, plus improved emissions performance and day-to-day efficiency, especially in urban driving conditions.
Will the diesel-powered 2027 Chevy Silverado and Sierra continue to hold value for certain buyers, or is the transition to electrified powertrains poised to make it redundant? We want to hear from our readers, so sound off in the comments!
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Wow the ignorance in this article.
Plug in Hybrids don’t magically make gas engines more efficient than diesel. In fact Diesels are 30-40% more efficient than gas period. A plug in hybrid diesel would get 30-40% fuel economy than a gas plug in hybrid.
30-40% more efficinet than an old school gas engine. Today's high efficiency Atkinson cycle engines do surpasse diesels. Diesels range in the 40-45% efficient, an old school SBC runs 25% on part throttle, 30% on full throttle. The LS/LT generation with AFM runs 35-37% efficient grace of less throttle losses and approaching diesel compression levels. Toyotas hybrid 2.0 engine is 41% brake thermal efficiency, and Mercedes F1 gas engine musters 50% brake thermal efficiency. Question is will the 6th gen SBC break that 40% efficiency metric.
To add, here in the Midwest with $2.50 gas and $3.75 diesel, the 5.3 makes more economic sense than the 3.0. when I've been in California with $5.00 gas and $3.50 diesel, the 3.0 is a sexy option.
My hope is that the 6th gen SBC will have low valve lift with Atkinson cycle to break 40% brake thermal efficiency while cruising, exceeding 25 mpg on the highway. That still wouldn't change my mind in states with low diesel and high gas prices.
Who the hell here is down voting fact? A Prius non hybrid surpasses a VW Jetta diesel in highway economy. Not by much, but by enough that if your truly gas sipping in the Midwest, you'd not going with the diesel, but if your in CA, you will go with the diesel due to price disparity, as long as it still passes emissions
@ Steve 29
People who don't like facts! The diesel has it's perks though, especially when towing! My brother in law has a 21 Silverado 3.0L and pulls his side by side quite a bit with it, and my stepdad has a 20 Denali with 5.3L and he also pulls his skis to lake house. The towing MPGs is where the diesel can really shine compared to a gas engine. He is roughly 5-7 mpgs better than the gas. I've seen him get close to 17 mpgs pulling his UTV out to the Black Hills in SD. Even my 6.2L towing my boat is around 10-13 mpgs depending on the wonderful "WIND" blowing here in MidWest.
I agree with your statement! I would have a gas all day long instead of the diesel just for the fact of DEF, and the new oil pump belt. Very poorly designed!! Or should I say very well designed for GM and mechanics, because it's a major job and a ton of money out of pocket to change a $25 rubber belt. I have read near $3k for it to be done at dealerships.
One interesting fact you shared, "a Prius non hybrid" - curious where you found this 'fact', seeing as Toyota has never sold a non-hybrid Prius. In my personal experience, I averaged 16-17 mpg in the gas-powered Silverado I had. My 3.0L diesel averages 27. Diesel is $2.85/gallon by me, about 10 cents more than regular unleaded. Getting almost 700 miles on a tank is cool, but I mainly bought it for the 100k mile powertrain warranty.
That’s blatantly false. Akinson cycle engines are not more efficient than diesels. Diesel has the highest efficiency of any ICE engine period.
Give me numbers then. Not disparaging diesels as they have their purpose, my favorite of which is they can burn used oil and veggies grease, but they will need to see some efficiency updates to stay relevant. Find me a diesel more efficient than Mercedes new F1 engine. Granted that engine also uses a 15:1 CR and 115 octane, but with exhaust heat recovery and late valve closure, it's 10% more thermally efficient than your run of the mill diesel. It's on par with the massive diesels used in cargo freighters who use extra long strokes and shear volume as a means of economies of scale.
Here's some number.
Average diesel ~40% thermal efficiency
Ford molded T~20-25%
SBC Gen 1 (50% more compression than model T 25~30%
LS1 (higher compression and EFI) 30-35%
LC9 (AFM LS) 33-35%
L83 (add direct injection) 35-37
Toyota 2.4 TCI (14:1 compression ratio, Atkinson cycle with cooled EGR) 41%
Mercedes F1-51%
Nissan narrow power band Atkinson-50%
Cummins 1950 military adiabatic diesel with exhaust gas recovery 55~60% (melted valves, blew head gaskets, never made production)
I have a 2022 3 liter diesel, love it, 660 mile range, plenty of power to pull any boat, quiet and will never go back to gas, this engine amazes me!
Ehhh,
Don't think so, as hybrids only help city driving and don't fix the fact gas costs more than diesel in CA. You do long drives/live in a high gas state, sorry, diesel will be cheaper and there will not be the high purchase price of the hybrid.
I currently drive a 2024 Silverado with the 2.7 liter turbomax. This engine has proven to be very fuel efficient, more than good enough for the daily drive and very capable of mid-range light duty towing. I does struggle a little with close to capacity weight at highway speeds (see Getty Adventures review) leaving me to ponder getting the 3.0 liter diesel next time. However, the 2.7 liter turbomax engine coupled to an electric motor in a PHEV setup would be amazing and I would be trading up ASAP. Looking forward to it. Nice way to go greener without range anxiety.
A Diesel is never irrelevant !
Until GM gets there act together producing reliable engines and transmissions I won't buy a GM product. They have lost there reliability 2016-2025.
This is a valid point. They're proving an inability to produce the 6.2l engines these days, which were generally considered bulletproof. I can't imagine the wealth of issues that a GM designed hybrid power train is going to have. They ain't no Toyota when it comes to hybrid acumen
While I believe EV is the way to go into the future, much the same as the switch from props to jets, it still has a long way to go and NOT ready right now. Some problems, weight, ER radiation, durablity, charging problems, etc. I would, thus, stick to the diesel as PROVEN technology and much improved on if you don't mind paying the price to try to fix it yourself, due to the complexity of EPA regulations that may have ruined the diesel prerogative.
Hmmm,
At the same time, props are still being produced for rec/military/vocational and low altitude cargo planes. Most pilots will also tell you that piston planes consume less full for the same HP. Turbojets are really only better at supersonic speeds and high altitude flight where piston planes loose their breath.
Manufacturers are looking at unducted fans (i.e. props) for the next gen aircraft engines due to increases in fuel efficiency.
Why not a PHEV with the Duramax diesel? Best of both worlds..../.
Too high initial cost plus I don’t want to maintain two different propulsion systems and batteries.
Long term I think we'll see the Etorque system take over as it gets better. There's really only 2 things that are guaranteed for propulsion systems, 1; oil will stop be drilled as it's the primary source of plastics our tech hungry world is in desperate supply up, therefore gas will always be available, 2, solid state batteries will exist as the whole world is addicted to their phones. Right now Etorque is expensive due to those 2 systems your referring to as the Lion battery has a tendancy to freeze/loose significant power in the winter, thus Etorque also maintains a 12V system 🤦🏼♂️ You replace your 12V battery and Lio suitcase battery with 1 solid state battery the same size and location as your lead acid battery and have maybe a 64-100V system, you have a more effective mild hybrid for no extra cost once you delete the 12V system.
I have a 2022 Durmax 1500 with 65k miles. I get an average of 25mpg . It’s had for me to believe they’re going to get much better with a hybrid. Stick with the diesel.
You have to look at initial cost, maintenance, Diesel's have a higher maintenance cost- fuel filters, oil and filter. But does the extra mpg makeup for all that? Also the location of the timing belt on the Diesel. Hopefully they will come up with Hydrogen!
However with all the recent engine issues (valve train, bearings etc) with GM and the transmission issues. Many recalls and service bulletins. They need to have better engineering and better parts.
My 04 duramax is cheaper to operate per mile than my 04 gasser was. Even with the added maintenance costs and more expensive fuel, it's noticeably better. I can't speak to the new ones with DEF and whatever else they have to deal with. I do know my friends with new diesel trucks have a significant fuel efficiency advantage over me so might still be worth it?
Really depends a ton on where you are, driving style and lifestyle. Diesel is more expensive for me.