Silverado 6.2L V8 Engine
Silverado 6.2L V8 Engine
The Silverado 6.2L V8 engine is the most powerful gas engine available in the half-ton Silverado 1500 lineup. At Barry’s Chevrolet in West Union, Ohio, buyers who ask about the 6.2L are typically looking for one of two things: maximum towing capacity or the best-performing gas engine in the Silverado.
The 6.2L delivers both. This page covers everything about the 2025 and 2026 Silverado 6.2L V8 engine: what it produces, which trims offer it, how it compares to the 5.3L, and whether it is the right choice for how you actually use your truck.
Silverado 6.2L V8 Engine Specs
The 2025 and 2026 Silverado 6.2L V8 specifications:
- Displacement: 6.2 liters
- Configuration: naturally aspirated V8
- Designation: L87 EcoTec3
- Horsepower: 420 hp at 5,600 RPM
- Torque: 460 lb-ft at 4,100 RPM
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: up to 13,300 lbs when properly equipped with Max Trailering Package
- Payload capacity: varies by configuration; verify on door jamb sticker
- Fuel economy: approximately 15 city / 20 highway mpg (2WD)
- Cylinder deactivation: Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM)
The 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque represent the top of the gas power range for the Silverado 1500 platform. The 6.2L is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission rather than the 8-speed that comes with the 5.3L and 2.7L, which contributes to the broader power delivery and towing capability.
Which Silverado Trims Have the 6.2L V8
This is one of the most common questions we get at Barry’s about this engine: which Silverado has the 6.2. The answer is straightforward but important.
The 6.2L V8 is available starting at the Silverado LTZ trim. It is not available on any trim below the LTZ: not on the LT, RST, Trail Boss, Custom, or Work Truck. If you want the 6.2L engine, you are buying a Silverado LTZ, High Country, or ZR2.
The Silverado LTZ is the entry point for the 6.2L as an optional engine. The Silverado High Country also offers the 6.2L as an option. The Silverado ZR2 comes with the 6.2L as standard equipment.
That trim restriction is a real buying consideration. Choosing the 6.2L means choosing at the LTZ price point or above. The LTZ adds leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera, a heads-up display, and power-adjustable pedals over the LT. For buyers who need the 6.2L’s towing capacity and want the premium interior, the LTZ with the 6.2L is an efficient use of the price step. For buyers who want the 6.2L but would prefer the LT’s price point, that combination is not available.
See our Silverado 1500 trim levels guide for a full breakdown of what each trim includes and at what price tier.
Silverado 6.2L V8 Towing Capacity
The 6.2L V8 with the Max Trailering Package raises conventional towing capacity to up to 13,300 lbs. That is the highest conventional towing capacity available in the Silverado 1500 half-ton lineup for gas engines.
For buyers in Adams County and Southern Ohio who need to tow loads that push a 5.3L-equipped truck close to its 11,100 lb limit, the 6.2L provides meaningful headroom. Heavy livestock trailers in the 10,000-12,500 lb range, larger enclosed equipment trailers, heavier fifth-wheel campers and travel trailers above 10,000 lbs, and multiple-unit or combination loads are where the 6.2L’s additional capacity is put to real use.
The 13,300 lb rating represents the maximum for a properly equipped Silverado 1500 with the 6.2L, the correct axle ratio, and the Max Trailering Package installed. Not every LTZ or High Country ordered with the 6.2L will be rated at 13,300 lbs. Axle ratio selection and the presence of the trailering package both affect the certified number. The door jamb sticker on the specific truck you are considering is the authoritative number for that vehicle.
For a full breakdown of Silverado 1500 towing by engine and configuration, see our Silverado 1500 towing capacity guide.
Silverado 6.2L V8 vs 5.3L V8: The Comparison Most Buyers Make
The 6.2L vs 5.3L comparison is the most common engine decision for buyers who have already decided they want a V8 Silverado. Here is the direct breakdown.
Power: the 6.2L produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft versus the 5.3L’s 355 hp and 383 lb-ft. That is a meaningful gap in both horsepower and torque. Under heavy load, on grades, and at sustained highway speeds with a trailer attached, the 6.2L has noticeably more reserve capacity than the 5.3L.
Towing: the 6.2L reaches 13,300 lbs versus the 5.3L’s 11,100 lbs. If your regular loads push above 11,000 lbs, the 6.2L solves a real problem. If your loads consistently stay below 10,000 lbs, the 5.3L handles the work without strain and costs less to get into.
Transmission: the 6.2L is paired with a 10-speed automatic. The 5.3L uses an 8-speed. The 10-speed provides more gear steps for better efficiency and power delivery across a wider range of driving conditions.
Fuel economy: the 6.2L returns approximately 15 city / 20 highway mpg. The 5.3L returns approximately 17 city / 23 highway mpg. The 6.2L uses more fuel, which is expected given its displacement and output. For buyers who put high annual mileage on their truck, this difference is worth calculating.
Trim availability: the 5.3L is available at the LT price point and up. The 6.2L starts at the LTZ. If you want the 5.3L’s capability at a lower price, the LT with the 5.3L is the strongest value in the lineup. The 6.2L requires accepting the LTZ premium.
See our Silverado 5.3L V8 page for the full breakdown on that engine, and our engine options guide to compare all four Silverado engine choices.
Is the Silverado 6.2L V8 a Good Engine
Yes. The Silverado 6.2L V8 has earned a strong reliability reputation across its production run in the Silverado 1500. It is not a new or unproven engine architecture. The L87 6.2L is part of GM’s Gen V Small Block family and has been in production in the Silverado lineup for years.
The 6.2L does not carry the same documented AFM lifter concern that affected the earlier 5.3L with Active Fuel Management. The 6.2L has been generally well-regarded by owners and technicians for reliability at high mileage when maintenance is kept current. Oil changes on schedule with the correct specification oil are the primary maintenance requirement, as with any modern V8.
The Dynamic Fuel Management system on the current 6.2L operates similarly to the DFM on the 5.3L, deactivating cylinders under light load. It is a more refined system than the earlier AFM and has not produced the same volume of owner complaints on the 6.2L as AFM did on the 5.3L in certain model years.
For buyers evaluating used Silverados with the 6.2L, the standard used vehicle diligence applies: service history, oil condition check, test drive across a range of conditions. There are no specific widespread documented concerns with the 6.2L that require extra scrutiny beyond standard used truck inspection.
Silverado 6.2L V8 and the ZR2
The Silverado ZR2 is the only Silverado 1500 trim where the 6.2L V8 is standard rather than optional. Every ZR2 comes with the 6.2L. This makes the ZR2 the configuration for buyers who want the most capable off-road Silverado 1500 and the maximum gas towing capacity in the same truck, without having to choose one over the other.
The ZR2 pairs the 6.2L V8 and 10-speed transmission with Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, front and rear electronic locking differentials, mud-terrain tires, rock sliders, and a wider track. For buyers who need the truck to work hard both on and off-road, the ZR2 with the 6.2L is the peak configuration in the Silverado 1500 half-ton lineup.
Silverado 6.2L V8 Fuel Economy
The 6.2L V8 returns approximately 15 city / 20 highway mpg in 2WD configuration. AWD reduces fuel economy slightly. These are EPA estimates and real-world fuel economy varies based on driving conditions, load, and driver behavior.
The fuel economy gap between the 6.2L and the 5.3L is real. A buyer who commutes 40 miles each way five days a week will spend more on fuel in a 6.2L-equipped truck than in a 5.3L truck. Over a full year of Southern Ohio driving, that difference is worth calculating before you choose the engine.
For buyers who choose the 6.2L for towing capacity, the fuel economy tradeoff is an accepted part of the decision. The engine is not chosen for efficiency. It is chosen for power and capacity, and it delivers both.
What Is the 6.2L V8 Engine Code
The Silverado 6.2L V8 in the current generation is designated the L87. It is part of GM’s Gen V Small Block family, also known as the EcoTec3 in Silverado marketing. Like the 5.3L, the 6.2L is an LS-architecture engine, which is why buyers searching for information on this engine often encounter “6.2 LS” references.
Earlier versions of the 6.2L V8 in Silverado and other GM vehicles used different designations (L9H, L96). The L87 is the current production version used in the 2025 and 2026 Silverado 1500. It is a substantially updated engine from earlier 6.2L variants.
6.2L V8 for Southern Ohio Buyers: Is It Worth It
The 6.2L V8 in the Silverado 1500 is worth it for buyers who meet one or more of these conditions:
- You regularly tow loads above 11,000 lbs and do not want to step up to a Silverado HD truck.
- You want the most powerful gas engine available in a half-ton Silverado and are buying at the LTZ trim level or above.
- You want the ZR2’s off-road capability alongside the full 13,300 lb towing capacity in a single truck.
- You are buying the Silverado High Country or LTZ for the premium interior and want the engine that matches that level of performance.
The 6.2L is not worth it for buyers who are choosing the LT or RST based on price and are trying to add the 6.2L. That combination is not available. If the 6.2L is the priority, the LTZ is the trim decision that comes with it.
For most working buyers in Adams County and Southern Ohio whose loads stay below 10,500 lbs, the 5.3L V8 at the LT or RST price point is the stronger value. The 6.2L in the LTZ or High Country is the configuration for buyers who want premium capability across the full range of what a half-ton Silverado can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower does the Silverado 6.2L V8 have?
The 2025 and 2026 Silverado 6.2L V8 (L87 EcoTec3) produces 420 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 RPM.
What is the towing capacity of the Silverado 6.2L V8?
Up to 13,300 lbs conventional towing when properly equipped with the Max Trailering Package and the correct axle ratio. This is the highest gas towing capacity available in the Silverado 1500 half-ton lineup. Verify the specific rating on the door jamb sticker of your truck. See our towing capacity guide for the full breakdown.
Which Silverado trims come with the 6.2L V8?
The 6.2L V8 is available starting at the Silverado LTZ as an option. It is also available on the High Country as an option and comes standard on the ZR2. It is not available on the LT, RST, Trail Boss, Custom, or Work Truck trims.
Is the Silverado 6.2L V8 reliable?
Yes. The 6.2L V8 has a strong reliability reputation in its production run in the Silverado 1500. It does not have the same documented concerns as the earlier AFM system on the 5.3L. Standard maintenance including oil changes on schedule is the primary requirement for long-term reliability.
What is the fuel economy of the Silverado 6.2L V8?
Approximately 15 city / 20 highway mpg in 2WD configuration. AWD reduces fuel economy slightly. The 6.2L uses more fuel than the 5.3L (17/23 mpg) due to its larger displacement and higher output.
Is the Silverado 6.2L V8 an LS engine?
Yes. The 6.2L V8 in the Silverado is an L87, part of GM’s Gen V Small Block family. Like the 5.3L, it is built on the LS engine architecture. “6.2 LS” is an accurate technical description of this engine’s lineage.
Can I get the 6.2L V8 in the Silverado RST?
No. The 6.2L V8 is not available on the Silverado RST or any trim below the LTZ. The RST’s highest available engine is the 5.3L V8. If the 6.2L is the priority, the entry point is the Silverado LTZ.
Talk to Barry’s About the Silverado 6.2L V8
Give us a call at (866) 601-5443 or visit us on the lot in West Union, OH. We are happy to answer questions and help you find the right fit.
