2027 Chevrolet Silverado EV

Overview

As an electric analogue to Chevy’s signature full-size pickup, the Silverado EV pairs silent propulsion with the workmanlike skillset that its gas-gulping counterpart is known for. With its 5-foot-11-inch bed, 12,500-pound max tow rating, and handy foldable midgate, the Silverado EV can go toe-to-toe with most half-ton gassers at any job site. A (somewhat) reasonably priced base Work Truck trim opens the lineup, doing its part to democratize electric trucking at the expense of some interior niceties, while the higher-tier Trail Boss models introduce some off-road credibility to the mix with off-road tires and a two-inch suspension lift.

Three battery sizes are on offer, with the largest Max pack touting a segment-leading 492 miles of EPA-estimated range. All Silverado EVs have dual-motor powertrains and all-wheel drive, with horsepower ranging from 510 to 750 depending upon the trim. Add to those strengths a spacious five-seat interior and ultra-quick charge times, and the Silverado EV has the utility and daily usability to humble electric-pickup doubters.

Expert Tip: If you enjoy the finer things in life and have some additional dough to throw around, the GMC Sierra EV is the Silverado EV’s mechanical twin that touts nicer sheetmetal and a more luxurious interior.

What’s New for 2027?

The Silverado EV lineup sees some trim, packaging, and hardware changes for the 2027 model year. Three trims have been axed, including the LT with the Max Range battery pack and the top-tier RST models. All Silverado EVs now come with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port in place of the previous J1772 AC port, enabling charging at Tesla stations.

A handful of new colors have been added to the Silverado EV’s option sheet, including Pacific Blue Metallic, Storm Gray Metallic, Dark Matter, and Lagoon. The base Work Truck trim now comes standard with heated front seats, and the LT models gain heated and power-adjustable mirrors.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year’s model is largely unchanged and you’re comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it’ll cost less than buying new.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

• EV Motors: 510-hp dual motor (WT Standard Range), 605-hp dual motor (LT Standard Range), 645-hp dual motor (LT/Trail Boss Extended Range), 750-hp dual motor (Trail Boss Max Range)
• Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

Unlike the Hummer EV, which comes with up to three electric motors, the Silverado EV is powered by two. Power output varies depending on the battery configuration, with the LT trim offering up to 645 horsepower and the Trail Boss delivering up to 725 horsepower (750 for short bursts when you engage the boost feature). All-wheel drive is standard, while a rear-wheel-steering system and an adaptive air suspension are optional; a set of huge 24-inch wheels is also available.

The truck’s ride is smooth, and handling is decent for a vehicle of its size, with a feel that’s more like a full-size SUV than an enormous pickup. We were disappointed with braking performance in the now-discontinued RST, as it experienced fade at our test track after repeated stops. We drove the Trail Boss on- and off-road and found its extra drive modes to be useful in the dirt.

The Silverado EV might not be as rapid as its hulking Hummer EV platform mate, but with a 645-hp LT trim clocking a 4.2-second 0-60-mph time in our testing, it can outrun a 6.7-liter V-8-equipped Silverado by a healthy margin.

0–60-MPH Times

• C/D 60-mph Test: 4.2 seconds (LT Extended Range)

In Comparison: When we last tested an LT model with the extended range battery pack, it knocked off a 4.2-second 0-60-mph run. Reaching the mile-a-minute mark in just over four seconds is plenty quick for a behemoth pickup, though the even larger and heavier GMC Hummer EV did it in just 3.3 seconds.

Additional Research

Towing and Payload Capacity

• Max Towing: 12,500 pounds
• Max Payload: 1800 pounds

The Silverado EV’s maximum towing capacity is 12,500 pounds, and its payload capacity is up to 1800 pounds. It’s well known that towing large loads kills EV pickups’ range.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

• C/D Range Test: 310 miles (LT Extended Range)
• EPA EV Range: 286-493 miles

The Silverado EV is available with three different battery options: Standard, Extended, and Max. With the Max, the entry-level Work Truck has an EPA-estimated range of 493 miles. Compare that with the Standard pack, which delivers only 286 miles of range. The LT with the Extended battery is rated for 410 miles. When we subjected an LT Extended Range model to our 75-mph highway range test, it managed to travel 310 miles on a single charge.

Notably, the now-discontinued RST trim set a new fast-charging record in our hands, clocking in at an average rate of 198 kilowatts when charging from 10 percent to 90 percent, which took just under an hour. Chevrolet claims that just 10 minutes at a public DC charging station can add 100 miles of range.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

• EPA City Ratings: 69-78 MPGe
• EPA Highway Ratings: 59-63 MPGe

The EPA estimates that the Silverado EV in its most efficient Work Truck trim will deliver 78 MPGe city, 63 MPGe highway, and 70 MPGe combined when fitted with the extended range battery pack. The least efficient trim is the LT trim with the extended range pack, which earns ratings of 69 MPGe city, 59 MPGe highway, and 64 MPGe combined.

When we took a Silverado LT EV on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, it returned 57 MPGe, 2 MPGe less than its 59-MPGe EPA estimate. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. For more information about the Sierra EV’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: When we drove a fully loaded model, we were impressed with what we saw inside. That truck featured a fixed glass roof, black-and-white two-tone leather upholstery with red piping, and about the same passenger space as a regular Silverado crew cab pickup truck. The Work Truck models are far more spartan. However, their use cases as work trucks require fewer creature comforts, and the easy-to-clean cabin is a welcome feature for tradesmen.

Second Row: The Silverado EV’s cabin is generously sized, and adults will have no trouble finding a comfortable spot in either r

Source: www.caranddriver.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.