When an engine is named to the Ward’s 10 Best Engines list, it’s time to sit up and take notice. The 6.2-liter V8 powerhouse under the hood of the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 is one of those engines, and it leaves most of the competition in the dust. The Silverado engine uses Dynamic Fuel Management which makes it incredibly efficient without sacrificing power.

What makes the Silverado engine so good?

In order to choose which engine makes the Ward’s 10 Best Engine’s list, editors score vehicles priced at less than $64,000 on horsepower & torque, fuel economy, noise characteristics, technology, and competitiveness. The 6.2-liter V8 Silverado engine with DFM stood out in a number of categories that put it on the list for 2019.

General Motors engineers have updated the small-block V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management, or DFM. It features advanced cylinder-deactivation technology and raises fuel economy in the Silverado by 1 mile per gallon in testing and 2 miles per gallon in normal city driving. 80 times per second, a controller checks to see how many cylinders need fuel. The system continually switches the firing sequence in a seamless dance that results in better fuel economy. It’s technology that sets it apart from all other V8 engines on the market.

The largest engine offered in a half-ton pickup, the 6.2-liter Silverado engine serves up plenty of horsepower. This engine delivers 420 hp at 5,600 rpm, and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. This rockets the High Country all-wheel-drive crew cab from 0 to 60 MPH in a mere 5.4 seconds.

The available auto start/stop feature is designed to improve fuel economy by shutting the engine off automatically when the car comes to a complete stop, such as at a red light or in traffic. The moment the driver takes their foot off the brake, the engine restarts, and it’s immediately ready for action.

This award-winning V8 is paired with a smooth-shifting, 10-speed, automatic, electronically controlled transmission that has a number of innovative features including:

• Driver Shift Control
• Overdrive
• A Tow/Haul mode
• Powertrain Grade Braking
• Cruise Grade Braking

Driving capabilities

An engine this size delivers exceptional towing capacity. The largest Chevy Silverado engine paired with the 10-speed transmission can haul up to 12,200 pounds. Trailering technology includes the In-Vehicle Trailering System on the Silverado 1500’s touchscreen display. It features a pre-departure checklist, trailering profiles, service reminders, and a trailer light test.

With Chevy’s available Drive Mode Selector, you can adjust the engine’s performance simply by turning a dial inside the cab. According to driving conditions, you can set the Chevy Silverado to driving modes including Tour, Sport, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, Terrain, and Snow/Ice.

Which Chevy Silverado models have the 6.2-liter V8 engine?

Are you ready to choose the best engine for the Chevy Silverado 1500? The award-winning 6.2-liter V8 was originally only available in the Chevy Silverado LTZ and the Chevy Silverado High Country trims. In these top-of-the-line models, the engine is an optional upgrade from the standard 5.3-liter V8. Chevrolet has expanded the 6.2-liter V8’s availability for 2020 to include the more affordable LT Trail Boss, Custom Trail Boss, and RST models. It is only available with four-wheel drive.

By combining fuel efficiency with raw power, Chevy engineers have produced a true powerhouse with this Chevy Silverado engine. Cutting-edge technology has earned the engine a well-deserved place on Ward’s 10 Best Engine’s list for 2019.