Chevy Silverado Trail Boss Finally Getting The Engine It Deserves

TheChevrolet Silverado 1500is offered in several trims and engines. GM's goal, like that of its Ford and Ram rivals, is to have something for everyone, ranging from the basic $29,000 Work Truck all the way to the luxurious $53,000 High Country. There's a range of trims in between, including the Trail Boss. Its name perfectly describes what it can do.

Currently available with a choice of either a 5.3-liter V8 or a 6.2-liter V8, both naturally aspirated, there's a certain other engine off-road enthusiasts have been clamoring for and GM listened. Various reports claim the 2022 model year Trail Boss will be offered with a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel inline-six.

This oil burner is already available on the Trail Boss' first cousin, the GMC Sierra 1500AT4, so it's a bit strange GM hasn't made the move until now. One possible reason was to force buyers to spend more on the GMC. Cynicism aside, the Duramax turbo-diesel has 277 horsepower and a healthy 460 lb-ft of torque and like the AT4, it will be exclusively paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The oil burner will only be available on the Limited LT Trail Boss, not the base Trail Boss Custom. You can't win them all. It's fair to assume this new trim and engine combo will be carried over later in 2022 when the refreshed Silverado lineup arrives.