Most vehicle shoppers don’t give much thought to what’s under the hood of their car. However, when you’re shopping for a truck, the powertrain you choose will make a major difference in the power you have. If you’re shopping for a GMC Sierra 1500 for sale, we’d love to help you understand this full-size truck’s engine options. Truck drivers are not ordinary drivers. So, you aren’t just looking at fuel economy, like a sedan shopper might, and you aren’t just looking at acceleration, like a performance vehicle shopper might. You’re assessing a blend of engine features, and getting it right makes a big difference.
The great news is that, whether you’re looking for a great daily driver, a powerful workhorse, or an off-road warrior, there is a 2025 Sierra 1500 powertrain that aligns with your goals. It’s all about understanding the benefits of each engine and giving thought to how you’ll be using your pickup. Here’s an overview of the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500’s engines and their highlights.
The 2.7L TurboMax I-4: Efficiency Meets Affordability
The 2.7L Turbo-Max I-4 is the starting engine, and it’s what comes standard in the Pro, SLE, and Elevation trims. It’s paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth, easy shifting. This I-4 blends smooth handling with fuel efficiency as well as payload and towing figures that work great for contractors, DIYers, and weekend adventurers. Here’s a closer look at its details.
Fuel Economy and Affordability
Achieving up to 18 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway, this engine has fuel economy that can keep up with drivers who drive across town to job sites or to run errands each day. Parents who need a truck for light jobs, but also need a dependable daily driver, appreciate this engine’s efficiency. Plus, it’s the most affordable powertrain in the lineup. If you don’t need the muscle of the bigger engines, stick to this economic option.
Towing and Payload
The 2.7L I-4 can tow up to 9,400 lbs. So it’s more than capable of towing modest vessels like pop-up campers, pontoon boats, and horse trailers. This engine boasts the highest payload figure, at 2,240 lbs, making it an ideal choice for those who need to put a lot of cargo in their pickup bed. If you need to haul heavy stuff more often than you need to tow large vessels, this might be your engine.
The 5.3L EcoTec V8: When You Need Modest Muscle
If you’ll be using your Sierra 1500 for more work applications than everyday errands, you might step up to this starting V8. It increases towing figures and horsepower, without seeing too big of a payload drop. Plus, it takes you to a 10-speed automatic transmission for even more precise shifting when towing. This is the standard engine on the SLT and Denali trims. Let’s examine the stats.
Fuel Economy
With MPGs sitting in just the mid-to-high teens, this engine might not be great for long commutes. For what it lacks in fuel efficiency, it makes up for in power. It provides strong acceleration, so when you’re towing uphill or accelerating onto a freeway onramp from zero, this starting V8 can keep up.
Towing and Payload
You’ll step up to a towing figure of 11,200 lbs here, delivering 1,800 extra lbs of towing possibilities. This V8 is ready to take out bigger vessels than the prior. Think catamarans, large flatbed trailers, and ATVs. Its hauling figure sits at 2,150 lbs, so it sees a slight drop from the I-4’s, but not by much. If you know you’ll need to tow some more substantial vessels than the I-4 can handle, but still need impressive payload figures, this is your powertrain.
The 6.2L EcoTec3 V8: The Work Hard, Play Hard Engine
If you want to stay in the V8 space but need more horsepower, higher torque, and better towing figures, step up to the 6.2L V8. This is the standard engine on the Denali Ultimate, but it is available on the Denali and SLT trim, too. So you can combine power with luxury perks if you’re looking for a truck you love to be in. This engine also has a 10-speed automatic transmission for efficient shifting. Here’s a closer look at its highlights.
Horsepower and Torque
With 420hp, this is the most powerful engine in the lineup. Torque sits at 460 lb-ft, which is nothing to sneeze at. Towing and hauling on challenging terrain is a breeze with figures like these, and you’ll never struggle to accelerate, either. Bear in mind that this engine is exclusively available on 4WD vehicles, which is a nod to it being made for tricky job sites and off-road trails, more than it is for pavement.
Towing and Payload
You’ll unlock 13,000 lbs of towing power with this engine. Farmers can tow livestock trailers. Outdoor enthusiasts can transport large campers and some fifth wheel trailers. Boaters can tow their speedboats with ease. Whether you’re looking for great towing power for work or fun, this engine is ready for your heavy vessels. The trade-off is a dip in payload figures, down to 1,820 lbs.
The 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6: Big Powers Meet Big Efficiency
The 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel sits at the top of the engine lineup. This is your standard engine on the two off-road trims, the AT4 and AT4X, which should give you some indication of its nature. Offering both the best towing figures and the best fuel economy figures of the lineup, this engine can get you to that exciting, remote off-road destination without frequent fuel stops, and it can tow all the vessels that increase the fun. Let’s take a closer look.
Fuel Economy
Offering fuel economy figures as high as 23 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway, this engine is ready for long drives. If you plan on putting some miles on your truck, this might be your engine. Even 4WD models still achieve figures in the low to mid 20s. From highways and city streets to dirt trails and muddy farms, this engine remains efficient wherever you go.
Towing and Torque
This engine enjoys the highest towing capacity of the lineup. It can tow up to 13,200 lbs. So, whether you’re looking to tow big boats, massive campers, or serious construction and farming equipment, this engine shouldn’t struggle to trailer your vessels. Plus, it enjoys the highest torque of the engine lineup of 495 lb-ft, making for some serious pulling power and acceleration.
Let’s Pair Your Pickup With the Perfect Powertrain
We’re impressed with how well GMC paired its powertrains to its trims. They thoroughly understand how the driver of each model might use their vehicle. The brand gave the off-road variants a diesel engine that’s ready to go far on less fuel while towing a major vessel. The Pro, a popular model amongst parents and professionals, has the affordable and efficient 2.7L I-4, which is great for daily driving and light towing.
The SLT and Denali trims, the starting luxury options, get the smaller of the V8s, combining solid towing figures with comfortable cabins, perfect for contractors or business owners who want a truck with an upscale feel and impressive utility. The Denali Ultimate gets the biggest V8 standard, so you can ride to your weekend getaways in style and bring large vessels along with you. Come experience each of these trims and engines in person at our well-stocked dealership and discover your perfect powertrain!
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