Motor Trend recently put out a list of cars and trucks with the most horsepower per dollar. One vehicle that made the list was the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 with its powerful V8 engine. If you enjoy power and performance, it’s a great time in the auto industry for you considering what’s available today. It’s a bit more expensive to have a dynamic and powerful vehicle now than in the past.

But you get many other features in today’s vehicles that weren’t available in the past. How did the Silverado earn its spot on the list?

The MT list and determining values

The Motor Trend team created a list to determine how much of a bargain big horsepower is in today’s market. The list includes the best horsepower-per-dollar value across segments known for lower prices but dynamic outputs. Motor Trend’s list vehicles are not only the best of the best; they’re amazing and full of value.

The list includes muscle cars and sports cars, Camaros and Mustangs, but not all big V8 engines. Many are smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engines. But some pickup trucks with powerful V8s did make the list, including the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. 

$88.70 Per HP

The Motor Trend team explained that they found it a little frustrating to option the Silverado with the 6.2-liter V8 engine. In the 2019 model year, it was only available for the truck’s top-shelf trims. In the Silverado’s 2020 lineup, the 6.2-liter V8 expanded to lower trims, but even then, the sticker is above $40,000. 

They found that the midrange 5.3-liter V8 engine with its 355 horsepower made up the difference. It comes in at $88.70 per horsepower. Models with the midrange V8 offer a nice blend of capability and value with decent towing chops between 9,500 and 11,600 pounds. 

The price tags for these are usually less than the one equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 engine. You can also get the 10-speed automatic transmission with the 5.3-liter V8 engine in 2020.

The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500

Not only is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 one of the big three pickup trucks on the U.S. market, but it’s also one of the most recognized trucks on the road today. It was all-new in 2019 and has a distinctive exterior and a slew of customization options. According to Car and Driver, it also got some new driver and towing assists for 2020 like adaptive cruise control and the same camera tech used in the HD models.

When it comes to powertrain options for this half-ton pickup, there’s one for any job. There are two V6 engines, two V8 engines, a turbocharged four-cylinder, and a diesel inline-six. Many favor the Duramax diesel with its excellent fuel economy and abundance of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 that’s been expanded across the lineup to include the Trail Boss and RST models. You can also get the 10-speed automatic transmission now with the midrange V8 engine.

The Silverado’s cabin is a study in comfort and quiet that will please most truck fans. It’s not as smooth a ride as the Ram 1500. But it’s flexible and capable of almost any job you need it from hauling and beyond. It also has an impressive list of high-tech features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. 

With the 6.2-liter V8 engine, the towing capacity is bumped up to 13,400 pounds, making it the head of its class. The horsepower and torque get a boost from a new performance upgrade package with that same engine. 

There are three bed sizes to choose from that offer plenty of space for hauling anything. The Crew Cab models offer plenty of space in the second row, and the easy-to-use infotainment system is a real bonus.