2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Differences

Unleash your engine of choice with the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. Are you looking for a gas or diesel engine? Turbocharged or naturally aspirated? Does it have to be a V8? No matter what you’re looking for, the Sierra 1500 has an option for you.

• 2.7L TurboMax™ — As the standard engine for the GMC Sierra 1500, the TurboMax sets a strong standard for performance with 430 pound-feet of torque. It’s exclusively paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and clocks in to work with the highest available payload capacity in the Sierra 1500 lineup. 

• 5.3L V8 — In the mid-range trim levels, the 5.3L V8 engine stands as a robust powerhouse that makes 355 horsepower and can tow up to 11,300 pounds. It is built with variable valve timing and Dynamic Fuel Management for enhanced fuel efficiency, while the classic naturally aspirated V8 muscle carries you through even your toughest jobs. 

• 6.2L V8 — The biggest engine in the Sierra 1500 lineup provides legendary strength for many top-tier trim levels. Leveraging its massive displacement to make 420 horsepower, it’s the top engine for pure horsepower output, and ranks a close second to the turbo diesel engine with 13,200 pounds of maximum towing capacity. Like its other V8 counterpart, the naturally aspirated 6.2L engine is built with variable valve timing and Dynamic Fuel Management.

• 3.0L Duramax® turbo diesel I6 — If you’re looking for the top towing, torque output, and fuel economy available in the GMC Sierra 1500 lineup, the Duramax® inline six-cylinder (I6) engine is the one to pick. Load up and haul with confidence if your truck’s outfitted with a Duramax, as it can tow up to 13,300 pounds. The formidable 495 pound-feet of diesel torque is available at just 1,500 RPM, further enhancing its strength as a towing monster.

Compare the four GMC Sierra 1500 engines in the accompanying chart.

2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Model Availability

Whether you’ve already chosen your favorite engine or you’re still considering your options, the next step is to find out which trims it’s offered on. Generally speaking, you’ll find the TurboMax engine standard on the entry-level trims, the 5.3L V8 standard on mid-grade trims, the 6.2L V8 standard on the top luxury trim, and the Duramax on the off-road trims. 

See the specific trims each engine is standard and available on below.

2.7L TurboMax

Standard: 

• Pro
• SLE
• Elevation

5.3L V8

Standard:

• SLT
• Denali

Available:

• Pro
• Elevation

6.2L V8

Standard:

• Denali Ultimate

Available:

• SLT
• AT4
• AT4X
• Denali

3.0L Duramax I6

Standard:

• AT4
• AT4X

Available:

• Elevation
• SLT
• Denali
• Denali Ultimate

Learn More About the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500

The rugged engine choices are just one of the many attractive features of the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. Get to know key features, specs, and exterior colors with our Sierra 1500 model review. Learn more about the standard equipment in each of the available trim levels using the detailed lists of features in our Sierra 1500 trims page.