GoKawiilGeneral Motors is about to launch new versions of its best-selling Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks for model year 2027, and among the changes are brand-new user interfaces for the trucks’ digital displays. The automaker has gone for a more minimalist approach than we’ve seen from it in the past, and after a demo yesterday, it seems like it has been listening to constructive feedback to improve the products. And yes, unlike GM’s electric vehicles, these trucks still let you cast your Apple or Android phone to the infotainment system.
Although GM showed us video of the main instrument cluster—the gauges and info that’s presented to the driver—we don’t have any screenshots we can show you. But I was impressed with the restraint and lack of visual noise; instead the background is always black, which should be dark even at night thanks to local dimming technology.
There are a number of different views. One with simple half-moon dials for speed and engine rpm; on the right side of the display is a user-configurable zone, where you can browse your music or audio feeds, display trip info, or turn-by-turn directions. Another is a driver assist display, with green as the highlight color to show when Super Cruise is active; this shows you a representation of what the car’s fused sensors are seeing around it. A third is for off-road driving, with your various angles and diff settings, and a fourth is for towing.
Credit: GM Note the real controls for the HVAC. Note the real controls for the HVAC. Credit: GM
But there’s also an even more minimalist version that simply shows the speed as big white digits and nothing else. This is similar to the night mode you’d find in Saabs, and it’s very useful for night driving.