Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra may lose out on some engine choices for 2022MY
- rogermoore1415
- Mar 20, 2021
- 5 min read
Overview:
The bread-and-butter pickup truck from the US automaker, and probably one of the popular pickup trucks in the US market, the Chevrolet Silverado is a series of full-size heavy-duty pickup trucks developed and manufactured by General Motors. On the other hand, basically a badge-engineered Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra is a series of light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks which are also designed and developed by the engineers at General Motors. Both the trucks are offered in different variants in both the light-duty and heavy-duty truck segments. Starting off with the light-duty 1500 series, both the trucks are also available in 2500HD and 3500HD heavy-duty series as well.
The Silverado was introduced way back in 1998 and the truck has evolved quite a lot since then. It is currently in its fourth generation of production since the 2019 generation upgrade, and the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is also a part of it, albeit with a number of changes and updates over the years. The 2019 update redesigned the Silverado from the ground up with significant changes both inside and out. Since then, it has been getting some minor updates every year and the 2021 model is no exception. The 2021 Silverado 1500 got some updated tech and features along with more standard features in every trim level.
The GMC Sierra has also been through some significant changes and updates over these years, since its initial introduction in 1999. All the three variants of the work truck, viz. 1500, 2500 HD, and the 3500 HD are currently in their respective 4th generation of production developing them from the ground up. While the 2021 Sierra 1500 got the generation upgrade for its 2019 model year, while both the HD variants of the Sierra were a year late in the party, where both of them got their 4th generation upgrade during the 2020 model year update. The tech and features have been updated for the 4th generation models along with a new interior layout as well. Its towing and hauling capacity has also been increased.
That being said, there are some huge updates for the upcoming 2022 model year of both the trucks from the 1500 light-duty series.
Engine lineup for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2021 GMC Sierra 1500:
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is available in eight different trim levels to choose from, viz. Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. While the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is available in six different trim levels to choose from, viz. base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
Being corporate cousins, both the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 share almost the same engine options in the lineup. But before talking about the changes in the engine lineup for the 2022 model year of both the trucks, let us take a look at the current offerings from the manufacturer in the engine department.
So, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is available in five different engine options depending on the trim level:
3-liter V6 engine (285 HP, 305 lb-ft of torque)
Turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine (310 HP, 348 lb-ft of torque)
3-liter V8 engine (355 HP, 383 lb-ft of torque)
Turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel six-cylinder engine (277 HP, 460 lb-ft of torque)
2L V8 (420 HP, 460 lb-ft of torque)
As you might have already guessed, the same options are available across the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 lineup as well.
As mentioned earlier, not every engine is available in every trim or configuration. While the V6 comes paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 4-cylinder and 5.3-liter V8 (with rear-wheel drive) come with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Lastly, there's a 10-speed automatic for the 5.3-liter V8 with all-wheel drive, the diesel 6-cylinder, and the biggest and the most powerful 6.2-liter V8. Rear-wheel drive is standard for most trims, while four-wheel drive being available as an option.
Do note that the 5.3L V8 engine is available in two different variants. One is designated as the L82 which comes with Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. Then there is the L84 variant that comes with a Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system. This information will be important later.
What are the expected changes for the 2022 model year of the trucks with regards to their powertrain and some other changes?
Probably no other automotive segment offers their buyers the number of engine options, that the pickup truck segment provides, and the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 are good examples. But according to a GM spokesperson, the 4.3L naturally aspirated V6, and the L82 variant of the 5.3L naturally aspirated V8 motor with active fuel management is allegedly being ditched for the 2022 model year of both cars.
Two of the three available naturally aspirated motors are being ditched out, which the turbocharged units are there to endure. That being said, the biggest and the most powerful 6.2L V8 along with the L84 variant of the 5.3L V8, both of which being a naturally aspirated unit will still be available in the lineup, with the 6.3L V8 being available as an optional extra.
These details about the changes in engine options were apparently shared by a GM representative during a virtual presentation as part of the 2021 Work Truck Show.
So, the 2022 model year of both trucks is set to receive a facelift with updated styling. A more premium interior and addition of new technology features are also expected with the update. Some sources suggest that the upcoming Sierra 1500 will be the next generation upgrade, but the fact that the truck received its last generation upgrade as recently as for the 2019 model year update, is highly unlikely.
That being said, the engines that are being ditched were previously available for the 2021 Silverado 1500 Work Truck, Custom and Custom Trail Boss trim levels, as well as the base model of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. Since the 4.3L V6 served as the base engine, the only option for the base engine in the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado Work Truck and Custom trim and the GMC Sierra Base trim will be the more efficient 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is also offered in the current models paired with 8-speed automatic transmission.
The unit generates 310 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful than the old 4.3-liter V6, which is rated at 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. The 2.7L turbocharged Inline-4 unit being more efficient and powerful than the engine it replaces, it could be thought of as a win-win situation.
That being said, the higher trims will be available with the newer L84 variant of the 5.3L V8 with dynamic fuel management as opposed to active fuel management like the old L82 unit, along with a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel unit as well. There will still be quite a few engine options for the 2022 model year, but not as many. Although it might be a bit of a bummer for some, it is not a deal-breaker in any way.
Conclusion
It is definitely quite a surprise to get the news of two engine options being ditched all of a sudden. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one of the best-selling pickup trucks in the States. In fact, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado was America's second best-selling pickup truck last year, and the availability of different engine options was one of the reasons. That being said, General Motors wouldn’t have just ditched the two engines for no reason. There has to be some reason behind it, which is a bit unclear at the moment.
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