Australian 2027 Silverado ZR2 remains distinct from redesigned North American truck

The 2027 name covers two different trucks

The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 that CarExpert has tested in Australia carries a 2027 model-year designation but retains the existing generation’s 6.2-litre V8. It is distinct from the next-generation 2027 Silverado 1500 that Chevrolet announced for North America in June, with a new exterior, different V8 engines and a redesigned cabin. The shared model year does not make their specifications or prices interchangeable. ¹³

CarExpert says Australian Silverados are sold by General Motors Specialty Vehicles after right-hand-drive remanufacturing by Walkinshaw Group. The existing truck received a smaller ‘2026i’ update earlier this year, bringing higher payload and gross vehicle mass figures, revised suspension for the base trim and black badging. The two Australian Silverado 1500 grades covered in the review are the LTZ Premium and the off-road-focused ZR2. ¹

Australian price, capacity and equipment

CarExpert lists the Australian 2027 Silverado 1500 ZR2 at $147,490 before on-road costs, $11,500 above the LTZ Premium’s $135,990 before on-road costs. For an off-road-focused comparison, it lists the Ram 1500 Rebel at $141,950 before on-road costs. These are Australian list prices, not drive-away figures. ¹

According to CarExpert, the Australian ZR2’s naturally aspirated 6.2-litre petrol V8 produces 313kW and 624Nm and drives through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its listed payload is 922kg, gross vehicle mass is 3505kg and gross combination mass is 6851kg. The braked towing rating is 3500kg with a 50mm tow ball, or 4200kg with a 70mm ball; neither figure should be treated as an unconditional towing capacity. ¹

CarExpert lists 296mm of ground clearance, a 31.8-degree approach angle, 23.3-degree departure angle and 23.4-degree breakover angle for the Australian ZR2. It is 5931mm long, with a 3760mm wheelbase and a tub volume listed at 1781 litres. The cabin in the vehicle tested has a 13.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display—not the larger screens specified for the redesigned North American truck. ¹

What CarExpert found on the Australian drive

At a GMSV media event in Tasmania, CarExpert found the ZR2 capable on northern beach sand, with its V8 response and traction helping it maintain momentum. Its size demanded care around bushes and branches on narrower routes. The publication says the driving was not suited to testing the truck’s low-range gearing, so its sand impressions should not be read as a broader low-range assessment. ¹

On sealed roads, CarExpert found the ZR2 less comfortable than the LTZ Premium, reporting a busier ride at higher speeds and limited lateral grip from its mud-terrain tyres. It praised the space and finish of the remanufactured cabin but noted awkward reach to some controls and a distorted head-up display. CarExpert quotes claimed fuel consumption of 12.7L/100km; after a day of sand driving, the trip computer showed roughly 19.0L/100km, which the publication says is not a representative real-world figure. ¹

Redesigned North American ZR2

Chevrolet has announced 5.7-litre and 6.6-litre V8s for the next-generation Silverado 1500, alongside an enhanced 2.7-litre TurboMax four-cylinder and a 3.0-litre Duramax diesel. MotorTrend reports that the new V8s replace the previous 5.3- and 6.2-litre engines. Chevrolet says the new range has seven trims and standard 16.3-inch central and 12.2-inch driver displays. ³⁴

For the redesigned North American ZR2, Chevrolet specifies a two-inch lift, 35-inch mud-terrain tyres, standard front and rear electronic differential locks, and Multimatic DSSV dampers paired with jounce dampers. Its specified cabin equipment includes an 11.5-inch passenger display, head-up display, rear camera mirror and forged carbon-fibre trim. Chevrolet also describes a separate, available ZR2 Bison Edition with American Expedition Vehicles bumpers, rocker protection and additional skid plates. ³

In its September report, The Drive says the new US ZR2 comes standard with a 3.0-litre diesel and offers a 6.6-litre V8 rated at 481 horsepower and 501lb-ft of torque. It also reports standard massaging seats and Super Cruise, which it says was not available on the outgoing ZR2. Those US-market engine and equipment details do not describe the Australian truck tested by CarExpert. ²

Timing and separate market prices

Chevrolet said in June that the next-generation Silverado 1500 was expected to go on sale towards the end of 2026 and that availability and manufacturer pricing would be announced later in the year. A later, September report from The Drive gives the redesigned ZR2 a US starting price of US$79,995, approximately US$5000 more than the outgoing US ZR2. That US starting price is separate from CarExpert’s Australian price before on-road costs for the existing-generation vehicle. ³²

CarExpert says the more powerful new V8 has not been confirmed for Australia. Auto123 reports that Canadian sales of the redesigned Silverado are expected towards the end of 2026, but that Canadian timing does not establish an Australian delivery date. The Australian 2027 ZR2 in CarExpert’s review remains the existing-generation, 6.2-litre model. ¹⁵