2027 Silverado Z71: What $63K buys, and what it leaves out

The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 has a 350-cubic-inch V8, a much nicer interior than I expected, and a sticker just shy of $63,000. Then I crawled underneath it. No Rancho shocks. No fuel tank skid plate. Still a wax-coated frame. If you’re shopping this truck, the details deserve as much attention as the new screens.

Chevrolet of Wills Point let me explore one of its new arrivals, a Summit White crew cab with the 5.7-liter V8 and several comfort upgrades. This was a walkaround with a short move across the dealership lot, so I can’t tell you how it rides on the highway or handles a trailer. I can tell you what stood out before it ever left the pavement.

The 2027 Silverado Z71 price climbs quickly

First, Z71 is back as its own trim for 2027. This truck starts at $54,200, but the one I filmed totals $62,975 with destination. That’s the number buyers need to keep in mind while looking at all the nice stuff inside.

The 5.7-liter V8 adds $2,690. The Comfort and Convenience Package adds $1,305, the EvoTex Package is $985, the 20-inch wheels are $800, and the all-terrain tires add another $200. Finish with a $2,795 destination charge, and that $54,200 starting price becomes a very different conversation. Our 2027 Silverado pricing breakdown puts those starting prices in context across the lineup.

For context, the Custom Trail Boss we’ve ordered for our family and long-term testing stickers at $62,015. This Z71 is only $960 more. But spending nearly the same money buys a different set of priorities, and that matters more than which badge you prefer.

A 350 V8 is back, with a thirsty window sticker

Yes, a 350 small-block Chevy is under the hood. This naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8 makes 402 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 428 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 RPM. It pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive with an Autotrac two-speed transfer case. For shoppers comparing powertrains, our Silverado engine availability guide explains the broader lineup and configuration restrictions.

Starting it for the first time was a highlight. It sounds good through those black quad exhaust tips. Unfortunately, there were only 2 miles on this truck, and my driving consisted of moving it across the lot. Acceleration, transmission behavior, and towing impressions will have to wait for more seat time.

The fuel-economy label showed 15 MPG city, 18 MPG highway, and 16 MPG combined. Those are sticker numbers, not results from my own testing. Still, if you’re buying the V8, fuel costs belong in the budget alongside the payment. The capless filler is convenient, and I suspect owners will get plenty of opportunities to appreciate it.

Z71 hardware deserves a look underneath

A Z71 badge doesn’t give this truck the Custom Trail Boss’s 2-inch lift. The white truck also wears optional 20-inch wheels with 275/60R20 Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires. I like the wheel design, but I’d rather have the 18-inch wheels and more aggressive tires coming on our truck.

That doesn’t mean you have to leave the Z71 trim to get that look. A black Z71 at the same dealership had 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. However, when I got back home to write this story, I noticed that the combination of those 18-inch wheels with a 5.7L V8 in the Z71 trim does not exist on the build and price page, further leading me to question keeping my Custom Trail Boss order.

Underneath, Chevy is still using rear leaf springs. I also didn’t find Rancho-branded shocks on this Z71. Without a proper drive, I’m not going to tell you what that means for ride quality, but it’s a detail returning Silverado shoppers may want to know.

I found skid plates protecting the engine and transfer case, but nothing covering the fuel tank. That’s already given me an idea for an addition to our own truck. The frame is still wax-coated, too. It felt tacky to the touch even though it wasn’t hot outside.

Inside, the transfer-case controls offer 2Hi, 4Hi, 4Lo, and Auto. There are Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, and Terrain drive modes, along with an integrated trailer brake controller. There’s useful equipment here. I just want buyers to look past the off-road badge and check the parts that matter for their plans.

EvoTex makes a better first impression than You’d Think

The interior is where this particular Z71 makes its strongest case. I really like the black-and-brown EvoTex upholstery with blue stitching. The material feels soft, the seat design looks good, and the power driver’s seat includes two-way lumbar adjustment.

At the State Fair of Texas, I interviewed people who thought the new Silverado’s upholstery was leather. I understand why. The leather alternative doesn’t bother me, and I’m interested to see how it holds up over time. A nice first impression and long-term durability are two different things.

Some other surfaces are less convincing. There’s hard plastic across the dash and plenty of gloss black around the console and steering-wheel controls. I don’t love the shiny finish, especially in places you touch all the time.

The driver’s window is the only one with automatic up-and-down operation, and this truck doesn’t have memory seats. None of that cancels out the comfortable seats, but at nearly $63,000, those are fair things to notice.

The small conveniences might sell the truck

One of my favorite features has nothing to do with horsepower or screen size: keyless entry buttons on all four doors. If I’m getting my son Tucker into the back seat first, I can unlock the truck right there. I don’t have to go to the front door and then come back. That’s the kind of feature you appreciate repeatedly during ownership if your truck is also the family vehicle of choice.

The bucket seats and large center console give this truck a different feel from our six-passenger Custom Trail Boss with its front bench. With the shifter on the column, the console folds out into a padded workspace. There’s also a magnetic wireless phone charger, USB-C connections, a household-style outlet, and an eight-speaker Bose system.

The digital gauge cluster presents the information clearly, and the center touchscreen brings together vehicle settings, apps, and other functions. I also appreciate that this truck skips the extra passenger screen and keeps covered storage over there.

In back, I had plenty of room, including when I tried the middle seat. The bench flips up in a 60/40 split, and rear passengers get air vents and USB-C power. The headrests fold down to improve rearward visibility, while the power sliding rear window retains a defroster.

There are compromises here, too. The seatback storage from the previous truck is gone, and the rear floor has a small rise in the middle. Out back, this Z71 has a conventional tailgate and a plastic tailgate liner on the inside. The tailgate is light enough to lift one-handed, and I still like Chevy’s bumper corner steps.

Who should put this Z71 on the shopping list?

If your priorities are a V8, a comfortable cabin, and useful everyday equipment, this Z71 deserves a look. The upholstery, rear-door entry buttons, console workspace, and better audio made a stronger impression on me than the exterior styling changes.

I’m still keeping our Custom Trail Boss order. Its lift, 18-inch wheels, mud-terrain tires, and front bench match what we want from that truck. But this visit made it clear that two Silverados priced within $1,000 of each other can appeal to very different buyers. You can follow that year of testing in our long-term Silverado coverage.

At $62,975, I’d go into the Z71 purchase knowing exactly which comforts I’m paying for and which hardware I’d still want to add. Then I’d take a proper test drive. This walkaround gave me plenty to like, but the dealership lot can’t answer the ride, towing, and ownership questions.

The accompanying walkaround was created for GT: Garage Talk® with Pickup Truck + SUV Talk as a collaborator. Thanks to Chevrolet of Wills Point for providing access to the truck.