GM Wants $1,299 for a Console Cooler in the New Silverado and Sierra

Chevrolet and GMC are heading into the 2027 model year with fully redesigned half-ton pickups, and among the long list of changes sits an accessory that says a lot about how General Motors reads its truck buyers: a cooled storage bin built into the center console, priced at $1,299.

The unit lives beneath the center armrest of both the 2027 Silverado 1500 and the 2027 Sierra 1500. It carries the RPO code SAD under GM’s LPO accessory designation, which means it is not installed on the assembly line. Instead, the dealer fits it after the truck is delivered. That distinction matters for shoppers comparing window stickers, since the cooler is an add-on rather than a factory-integrated feature, despite being designed specifically for the console.

Availability varies by trim. On the Silverado side, Chevy offers it on the LT/Z71, Trail Boss, ZR2, and High Country. Those choosing the LT/Z71 must also order front bucket seats, listed as RPO A50. The work-focused Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss trims cannot get the cooler at all. GMC spreads the option across a wider slice of its lineup: Elevation, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate can all be equipped with it, while the entry-level Sierra Pro is excluded. The cooler is just one of many convenience touches in an interior overhaul that also brings larger digital displays and additional storage throughout the cabin.

Under the hood, the bigger story is the powertrain refresh. Two all-new sixth-generation Small Block V8s lead the range: a 5.7-liter L76 and a 6.6-liter L78. GM also keeps the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder L4B in the mix, and the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbodiesel carries over from the outgoing generation. Together with the redesigned sheetmetal and reworked cabins, that makes these among the most substantial updates to GM’s full-size trucks in years.

Still, the pricing of a console-mounted cooler is likely to draw as much attention as any engine spec. At $1,299 plus dealer installation, the option invites the obvious comparison to a $30 portable cooler dropped on the rear floor. GM’s bet is that buyers who spend their weekends tailgating, towing, or working out of a truck will pay for the convenience of cold drinks within arm’s reach. Whether that math holds up will be settled at dealerships when the new trucks land — likely a more telling test than any spec sheet.