2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Performance 

Those buying a 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 have four unique engine choices that offer different capabilities in terms of max towing and payload capacities. Below are all the engines and their capabilities in the new 2026 Silverado 1500. 

The base engine for the 2026 Silverado 1500 is the 2.7-liter TurboMax 4-cylinder that produces 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. With an 8-speed automatic transmission and 2WD, these trucks have an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 19 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway, with both numbers dropping just one MPG when choosing a 4WD truck. Trail Boss models get 17 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway. The TurboMax Silverado 1500 has a payload of up to 2,260 pounds when equipped with rear-wheel drive and can tow as much as 9,500 pounds, while 4WD models are able to haul 2,140 pounds and tow up to 9,300 pounds, all when properly equipped.  

Owners who prefer a V8 can choose between the 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter engines. The 5.3-liter puts out 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and can haul 2,180 pounds in 2WD form and 2,110 pounds in 4WD form. Two-wheel drive models can tow up to 11,300 pounds, while 4WD models can tow up to 11,000 pounds. The 6.2-liter only comes in 4WD, making 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It can haul 1,980 pounds and tow up to 13,300 pounds. Both engines feature a 10-speed automatic. When it comes to fuel economy, the 5.3-liter will get up to 17 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. The 5.3 and 6.2 with 4WD both achieve 16 city and 20 highway. Trail Boss models with the 5.3 will do 15 MPG city and 19 MPG highway, while Trail Boss 6.2-liter models get just one MPG less in both cycles. The Silverado 1500 ZR2 comes equipped with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 and 4WD as standard, giving customers 14 MPG city and 17 MPG highway.  

Last but not least, the Silverado 1500 can also be paired with the popular Duramax 3.0-liter Turbodiesel inline-6, which gives owners 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. It also has a 10-speed transmission and a max payload of 1,970 pounds in 2WD form and tows up to 13,300 pounds. When equipped with 4WD, the payload drops by just 10 pounds and towing by only 300 pounds. The EPA says buyers can expect to achieve 24 MPG city and 29 MPG highway for 2WD models. Choosing a 4WD Duramax drops those numbers by only two MPG each. The Trail Boss Duramax gets 21 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.  

Available on the WT and standard on all other trims is the Trailering package that, in addition to the hitch and 7-and 4-pin connectors, includes an integrated trailer brake controller and the Hitch Guidance camera view to help you line up to your trailer. For 2026, LT and above trims are now standard with the integrated brake controller, which is a welcome addition as more people are towing with their pickup trucks.  

Exterior 

The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 carries over the same great appearance that customers loved in 2024. However, buyers can now choose between two extra exterior colors: Cypress Gray and Riptide Blue. The 2026 Silverado 1500 can also be optioned with brand-new 20-inch High-Gloss Black wheels.  

It also offers the most functional bed you’ll find in the segment with up to 89.1 cubic feet of cargo space, 12 tie-downs, and the versatile 6-function Multi-Flex tailgate that is available with a power up and down ability.

The 2026 Silverado 1500 comes in either Regular Cab, Double Cab, or the full four-door Crew Cab. 

Interior 

Base WT models come with either cloth or vinyl seat trim and a split-bench front seat with under-seat storage. The Custom and Custom Trail Boss trims also have standard cloth seats with a split bench. The LT, LT Trail Boss, and RST trim levels can be optioned with either cloth or leather seating surfaces with split-bench front seats, while LTZ and above feature leather seats as standard with front bucket seats.  

Technology 

Chevrolet has made the 2026 Silverado 1500 the most technologically advanced full-size half-ton pickup truck ever and one of the most advanced pickup trucks on the market. With the available Trailering App, you can create custom trailer profiles to make getting going faster and easier once you have attached your trailer. Up to 14 camera views now give drivers secure viewing angles of pretty much anywhere around the truck, including a top-down view to help make backing up to a trailer that much easier.   

SuperCruise is the most Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that allows for genuine hands-free driving, including trailering when driving down the highway. The system works with cruise control, cameras, and a database with more than 750,000 miles of mapped roads through the United States and Canada. GM vehicles are the only vehicles on the market where drivers can tow while using the advanced hands-free technology.   

Safety  

Every 2026 Silverado 1500 comes with Chevy Safety Assist, which features an array of safety and driver assist features, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Intellibeam auto high beams.