It seems that electric cars are destined to take over the future — although we could argue that they will never completely replace gasoline-powered cars. As hybrids and electrics become more popular and small engines become more efficient, it feels like the days of big-block engines are fading fast. Pickup truck owners who are looking for responsibly fuel economy might opt for a V6 or boosted 4-cylinder engine, but that doesn’t mean truck-enthusiasts aren’t still looking for a V8. Luckily for them, there are still some options like certain drivetrains of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that come with V8 engines.

How many engine options does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

It isn’t uncommon to see one make and model come with a few options for the drivetrain, and that stands true for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. There is a wide range in price for the popular pickup truck as well depending on trim levels and options. The work truck version starts at the most reasonable $38,685 while the highest package costs around $66,600 for the High Country. Among these options, there are four available engines and transmission pairings.

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado have a V8 engine?

Among the four variations of engine you can get with the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, there is, in fact, one V8 available. It is a 5.3-liter V8 engine that pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Altogether, Edmunds claims it gives the pickup some pep with 355 hp and a reported 383 lb-ft of torque. Of all of the engine options available, it offers the most power but not the most torque.

Which Silverado 1500 engine offers the most torque?

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 option with the V8 might have the most power, but it’s torque pales in comparison to that of the diesel engine option. The turbocharged 3.0 liter diesel engine might only be a 6 cylinder, but it too pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission. With slightly less horsepower, the diesel offers 277 hp, but it makes up for that with torque. From the diesel Silverado 1500 you can expect a reported 460 lb-ft of torque.

If fuel economy is more important to you than engine size, there are still two available options. The first is a 4.3 liter V6 engine combined with a six-speed automatic transmission. This smaller choice offers less power and torque, as does the even smaller boosted engine.

The final engine option is the smallest yet: a 2.7 liter four-cylinder, but combined with the turbocharger it offers more power than the V6 engine, trumping the V6’s 285 hp with its boosted 310 hp. Overall, the variety I engine options means the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can meet the needs and wants of many different drivers, making it a popular pickup option.