While many other full-size pickup trucks are dropping the diesel engines from their lineups, Chevy is bumping up their diesel game.
The Chevy Silverado received an upgraded six-cylinder diesel engine just in time for other automakers to remove the small diesels from their pickup trucks. You might wonder why other trucks no longer have diesel engines, because the Silverado models equipped with the Duramax a flying off dealership lots.
What Are the Silverado Engine Options?
Let’s start with the gas engines. The entry-level powertrain is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. If this just doesn’t seem like enough power, you can also get the Silverado 1500 with a 5.3-liter V-8 that puts out 355 horsepower. The last gas option is a 6.2-liter V-8 with 420 horsepower.
The Silverado’s diesel engine is a 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder that not only generates 305 horsepower, but also gets 495 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain is available as an option for the Custom Trail Boss, LT, LT Trail Boss, ZR2, LTZ, and High Country.
A Quick and Powerful Silverado
The recently upgraded Duramax diesel engine makes for quick and efficient Silverado. It can propel the pickup truck to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds. Even the ZR2 with an extra 145 pounds and its Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires can reach 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.
It’s more efficient, too. We don’t often talk about efficiency when it comes to pickup trucks. But it’s worth mentioning that the LTZ with the Duramax under the hood will get 26 mpg on the highway, and it can get up to 30 mpg if you take a trip over back roads.
How Much Can It Tow?
It’s time to get to the good stuff. This is a pickup truck, so it’s all about the towing power. When equipped with the Duramax turbodiesel engine, the Silverado 1500 can tow up to 13,300 pounds and carry at 1,970-pound payload. You can get these same towing and payload numbers with the 6.2-liter V-8, but there is a noticeable fuel efficiency improvement with the diesel.
The entry-level 2.7-liter engine can tow up to 9,500 pounds and carry a 2,260-pound payload, and the 5.3-liter gas engine can tow up to 11.300 pounds and carry up to 2,180 pounds in the bed.
It’s Not Just About the Power
While the Silverado’s power and capability are important, it’s not all you get with this pickup truck. It comes loaded with tech and comfort features, too. The LT and above all have a huge 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to keep the driver informed, and a massive 13.4-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. It’s easier than ever to make calls, send a text, and get to your favorite playlist with the enhanced Google-based voice controls.
Keeping your phone charged is a breeze with the wireless charging pad, and you’ll always stay comfortable with the heated and ventilated front seats.
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