A major advantage of Chevy trucks is the wide range of engines offered. Not just different sizes, but different types of engines as well, each bringing different strengths with them. In fact, there are so many choices that we realized it would be helpful to put together a guide for all these engine choices, so you can decide which engine, (paired with which truck) works best for you.
Chevy Truck Engines | Horsepower and Torque
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Available In |
| 2.7L Turbo | 237 | 260 lb-ft | Colorado |
| TurboMaxâ„¢ | 310 | 430 lb-ft | Colorado, Silverado 1500 |
| 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 | 355 | 383 lb-ft | Silverado 1500 |
| 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 | 420 | 460 lb-ft | Silverado 1500 |
| 3.0L Duramax® Turbo Diesel | 305 | 495 lb-ft | Silverado 1500 |
| 6.6L V8 Gas | 401 | 464 lb-ft | Silverado HD |
| 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel V8 | 470 | 975 lb-ft | Silverado HD |
As you can see, the engines available in Chevrolet trucks offer a wide range of power options. Gasoline engines tend to offer more horsepower, while diesel engines offer more torque. For smaller gasoline engines, turbocharging adds quite a bit of power, especially torque, and this is how even smaller trucks that can't fit a big V8 under the hood can still come with impressive capability. Even full-size trucks can benefit from this, with the TurboMaxâ„¢-equipped Silverado 1500 offering more torque and nearly as much horsepower as the 5.3-liter V8. This is good for fuel economy, as are the diesel options, especially if you plan on doing a lot of towing.
Chevy Trucks Towing Capacities
| Model | Minimum Towing Capacity | Maximum Towing Capacity |
| Colorado | 3,500 pounds | 7,700 pounds |
| Silverado 1500 | 8,700 pounds | 13,300 pounds |
| Silverado 2500 HD | 12,000 pounds | 22,430 pounds |
| Silverado 3500 HD | 14,500 pounds | 36,000 pounds |
Towing isn't the only reason to buy a truck, but it is a popular one, and Chevy trucks come with some serious capability. Different configurations will give you different capacities, from engine choices, to bed lengths to 2WD vs 4WD. Offroad-equipped trims will generally have the lowest towing capacity, even when using what would otherwise be the highest-powered engine. The best example is the 3.0-liter diesel engine available for the Silverado 1500. In conjunction with a standard bed and 2WD, it gives you that outstanding 13,300-pound maximum capacity. But the same engine in the ZR2 offroad trim gives you the 8,700-pound minimum. The other thing to note is the dual-wheel rear axle available only on the Silverado 3500 HD, which is the main reason that the 3500 has such a higher towing capacity than the 2500, despite both being offered with the same choice of engines.
Chevy Silverado EV
While it doesn't exactly have an engine in the sense that the rest of the Chevy truck lineup does, the Silverado EV is another truck option from Chevrolet that can't overlook. The all-electric drivetrain is offered in a number of different configurations, from 510 to 754 horsepower, and torque ratings up to 785 lb-ft. It can tow up to 12,500 pounds as well, so that power is put to good use. The battery pack has a very high capacity, so much so that it can be used to power tools and other equipment at job sites, or - if you just use it only for driving, it delivers a staggering 460-mile range.