Fairway Chevrolet Blog
Chevy Silverado 1500 MPG: Which Engine Gets the Best Fuel Economy?
A closer look at all four Silverado 1500 engine options, from the team at Fairway Chevrolet.
Quick Answer
The Duramax Diesel Leads on Fuel Economy
The current Silverado 1500 lineup offers four different engines, and each one is built for a different priority: everyday value, towing muscle, or straight-line power. When it comes to fuel economy specifically, Chevrolet points to one clear leader — the available Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel, which the manufacturer cites as delivering best-in-class highway fuel economy at an EPA-estimated 28 mpg highway in 2WD trucks. Here’s how all four engines compare.
- Four engines available: TurboMax, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, and Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel
- Duramax diesel is the only engine with a published, best-in-class MPG figure
- TurboMax offers best-in-class standard torque for a gas engine at this price point
- 6.2L V8 tops the gas lineup for horsepower and torque
TurboMax: The Everyday Workhorse
The TurboMax engine is standard on WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss models. It’s rated at 310 horsepower and a best-in-class 430 lb.-ft. of standard torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Active Fuel Management with Automatic Stop/Start to help cut down on fuel use during everyday driving. Chevrolet has not published a specific city, highway, or combined MPG figure for this engine, so we can’t cite a number here, but the strong torque rating at this price point makes it a popular pick for daily driving and light towing.
5.3L EcoTec3 V8: The Balanced Choice
Standard on LTZ and High Country, and available on several other trims, the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 steps up to 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. It runs through a 10-speed automatic transmission and uses Dynamic Fuel Management with Automatic Stop/Start, technology designed to shut down cylinders you don’t need during light-load driving. As with the TurboMax, Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 page doesn’t publish an official MPG figure for this engine, so we’re leaving that number out rather than guessing at it.
6.2L EcoTec3 V8: The Power Leader
Available on RST 4×4 Crew Cab, LT Trail Boss, LTZ 4×4, ZR2, and High Country 4×4, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 tops the gas engine lineup with 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, also through a 10-speed automatic transmission with Dynamic Fuel Management and Automatic Stop/Start. This is the engine to pick if power and towing muscle matter more than sipping fuel, and Chevrolet does not publish a specific MPG rating for it.
Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel: The Fuel Economy Leader
The Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel is standard on ZR2 and available on Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. It produces 305 horsepower and 495 lb.-ft. of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission with Automatic Stop/Start. This is the only engine in the Silverado 1500 lineup with a published fuel economy figure, and Chevrolet calls out best-in-class highway efficiency here: an EPA-estimated 28 mpg highway in 2WD models and 26 mpg highway in 4WD models.* If maximizing fuel economy on the highway is your main goal, this is the engine Chevrolet itself points to.
Ready to Pick Your Silverado Engine?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Silverado 1500 engine gets the best gas mileage? +
Chevrolet cites the available Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel as the most fuel-efficient Silverado 1500 engine, with an EPA-estimated 28 mpg highway in 2WD models and 26 mpg highway in 4WD models.
How many engines are offered on the Silverado 1500? +
Four: the TurboMax engine, the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8, and the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel.
How much horsepower does the TurboMax engine have? +
310 horsepower and a best-in-class 430 lb.-ft. of standard torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
How much horsepower does the 5.3L V8 have? +
355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
How much horsepower does the 6.2L V8 have? +
420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Is the Duramax diesel worth it for fuel economy? +
If highway fuel economy is the priority, the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel is the Silverado 1500’s most efficient option, and it’s the only engine with a published, best-in-class MPG figure.
*Silverado with available Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel engine EPA-estimated MPG 28 highway 2WD; 26 highway 4WD.
