2027 GMC Sierra 1500 First Look: Inside the Denali Ultimate’s New Cabin

The 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 has already made plenty of noise with its new engine lineup. After getting a closer look at the Denali Ultimate, though, I think the conversation is going to turn to what GMC has done inside the truck. There is a lot going on here, from the materials and seats to the screens, storage and lighting.

This was a walk-around of a preproduction truck, not a road test. Some functions were turned off during the demonstration, so I’m treating this as a look at the design and features rather than a verdict on how the finished truck drives or how every system works in daily use. For the broader lineup announcement, see our earlier 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 coverage.

The Denali Ultimate gets a darker look

The Denali Ultimate’s grille makes a statement before you open a door. GMC showed a dark GMC badge with illumination. The grille finish prompted a little back-and-forth during the walk-around because I’m going to miss saying “Vader Chrome.” That name was fun.

There are useful details beyond the grille. The engine-displacement badges move to the hood, and GMC’s team explained that the familiar external antennas have been removed as part of the new design. The Denali Ultimate shown also had 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum wheels and articulating assist steps. Its lighting includes welcome and farewell animations, which add another bit of theater when you approach or leave the truck.

New materials, better first impressions of the seats

Inside, GMC showed an open-pore forged birch wood treatment on the console and instrument panel. The team explained that the wood is chopped and pressed to create the pattern. It has a different look from a conventional glossy wood insert, and it gives the Denali Ultimate something distinctive to put alongside its stitching, piping and topographic details.

The Denali Ultimate comes with 14-way power front seats with heating, ventilation and massage. I also spent some time checking the seats. My first impression was that they felt more comfortable, especially in the area I pointed out during the demonstration. That is encouraging, but a few minutes in a parked truck is different from a long day behind the wheel. I still want that seat time before making a bigger claim about comfort.

In the rear, GMC confirmed heated outboard seats rather than ventilated ones. GM also got rid of those funky storage compartments built into the rear seatbacks. The flat floor and underseat storage remain useful features for the gloves, towing equipment and other things that tend to live in a truck cab.

The cabin puts customization on display

The ambient lighting demonstration was a good example of how much customization GMC is building into this interior. The team described 143 color combinations, with separate upper and lower zones. I can already see owners sharing their favorite combinations online, especially when they can match a school or team’s colors.

The cabin also needs to work as a place to charge devices and get things done. During the walk-around, GMC pointed out six USB connections across the front and rear of the cabin, along with a 120-volt outlet. The available MultiPro center console and articulating screen with hidden storage are part of the larger interior redesign GMC highlighted at the event.

The follow-up screen demonstration showed a new user interface with customizable information and quick-access controls. One practical example was switching between two connected phones, which could be useful if you carry separate work and personal devices. Another was a garage-door control that can appear based on your location. Those are the kinds of features I want to try repeatedly in a production truck to see whether they make things easier.

There is also an 11.5-inch passenger display, alongside the 16.3-inch center screen and 12.2-inch driver display GMC demonstrated. The passenger screen has a privacy filter, and the team walked through options for streaming, connecting a device through HDMI and choosing where the audio plays. I want to see how useful that setup is with someone riding along. GMC also confirms that wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain part of the new infotainment system.

One change that will get truck owners talking is the digital oil-level reading for the next-generation V8s. GMC showed it in the vehicle-status app, where the display reports the oil level alongside information such as battery voltage. That is a feature I want to try myself when checking a production truck.

What I still want to test

The Sierra’s new interior gives us plenty to explore, but the real test will come with everyday use. I want to see how quickly the controls become familiar, how the screens behave in different lighting and whether the seats stay comfortable after several hours. I’m also interested in spending more time with the truck’s towing features, including available Super Cruise with trailering capability.

GMC lists the Denali Ultimate’s starting price at $87,895, including the $2,795 destination freight charge. The new 6.6-liter V8 is standard, with 481 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque; the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel is available. GMC says the first 2027 Sierra models will reach U.S. dealers before the end of 2026.

For now, the Denali Ultimate makes a strong first impression as a cabin GMC has put considerable thought into. The combination of new materials, storage ideas and configurable technology gives buyers more to consider than a new grille or a larger display alone. We’ll need a proper drive to find out how well it all comes together.