Power and Performance

The Silverado comes stacked with a range of engine choices:

• 2.7L TurboMax™ Inline-4: Don’t let the four-cylinder badge fool you. With 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, this engine hauls nearly 9,500 pounds when properly equipped, punching well above what most entry-level powertrains manage.
• 5.3L V8: A long-standing favorite, this small-block delivers 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, making it an ideal choice for daily driving and mid-weight towing.
• 6.2L V8s: With 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft, this engine turns the Silverado into a muscular workhorse. Pair it with the Max Trailering Package and you’re looking at a towing capacity of up to 13,300 pounds, one of the highest in the half-ton segment.
• 3.0L Duramax Turbodiesel: Producing 305 horsepower and a class-leading 495 lb-ft of torque, the Duramax offers exceptional low-end grunt and high efficiency—great for long hauls and sustained towing without excessive fuel stops.

Each of these engines is paired to either an 8-speed or 10-speed automatic transmission, depending on configuration, delivering crisp shifts and strong throttle response regardless of load. And when properly equipped, the Silverado 1500 towing capacity tops out at 13,300 lbs—more than what the RAM 1500 can handle, no matter the trim. It also supports a payload rating north of 2,200 pounds in its optimal setup, with variations based on cab size and drivetrain.

Trailer-focused buyers will appreciate Silverado’s suite of towing tech, including an available integrated trailer brake controller, up to 14 available camera views (including Transparent Trailer and Hitch Guidance), and auto-leveling rear suspension. Whether you’re hauling a camper to the Ozarks or towing equipment across Missouri, Silverado’s balance of power, control, and trailer visibility goes a long way.

RAM brings a reshaped engine lineup to the table for 2025, headlined by its all-new Hurricane twin-turbo inline-6 engines. These replace the beloved HEMI V8—and while they’re capable, the shift means fewer engine choices than before:

• Standard-Output Hurricane 3.0L I6: Offers 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, which puts it head-to-head with Silverado’s 6.2L V8 in terms of output.
• High-Output Hurricane 3.0L I6: Reserved for top-tier trims like the new Tungsten and RHO, this variant jumps to 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque, easily making it the most powerful engine RAM has ever put in a half-ton.
• 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque: Still available on lower trims, this mild hybrid setup puts out around 305 horsepower, but it’s mostly a budget-friendly option now that the Hurricanes have taken center stage.

Towing capacity in the RAM 1500 maxes out at 12,750 lbs, which is no small feat, but it still falls short of Silverado’s top rating. And because the High-Output engine is limited to select trims, not every RAM buyer gets access to its peak performance. Payload also peaks near 2,300 pounds—on par with Chevy—but only in certain configurations.

RAM’s towing tech is strong but slightly more limited than Chevy’s. You’ll find features like trailer light check, trailer brake controller, and blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, but fewer camera angles and no Transparent Trailer feature. Plus, there’s no diesel option anymore—meaning long-range, high-mileage towers might find themselves refueling more often.

Power and Performance

The 2025 Silverado has various engine options, including a 6.2-liter V-8 capable of producing 420 horsepower. If you're looking for diesel alternatives, try the 3.0-liter Duramax that outputs 305 horsepower.

The Ram 1500, on the other hand, has a V-6 engine and twin-turbo inline-six powertrain paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V-6 engine outputs 305 horsepower while the twin turbocharged inline can produce 420 horsepower. While both have Duramax diesel options, the Chevy has better fuel efficiency due to its cylinder deactivation technology.