Chevrolet Is Dropping These Engines From the 2022 Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra

Although the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 are set to receive some extensive upgrades for 2022 that range from a new interior to cutting-edge Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving technology, and more extreme off-road variants, the good news was met with some less than desirable details. Unfortunately, information that emerged from a 2021 Work Truck show presentation by General Motors let the public know they’d be getting rid of some powerplants.

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 have six different powerplants in production, but that figure it set to be cut. In the presentation, GM described how the naturally aspirated 4.6L V6 LV3 engine and naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L82 gasoline motor will be dropped from the Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 lineup in 2022. GM will also be dropping the six-speed automatic transmission in most of its basic work truck trims.

Let’s not confuse the 5.3L L82 V8 with the 5.3L L83 or the newer L84 that’s found in mid and upper-level Sierra and Silverado pick-ups as those will still be available.

It’s understandable GM would want to phase out an older 5.3L V8, but it’s a bitter pill to swallow that they’d get the 4.3L LV3 V6 with it. The pushrod small-block engine is considered by most as the best base V6 engine in the half-ton trucks on the market today. It boasts 285-horsepower and 305-pound-feet of torque, which isn’t bad for an all-motor engine. It’s also a cost-effective build, considering its resemblance to the Gen V small-block V8 family.

It’s looking as though these engines will be replaced by a 2.7L L3B turbocharged four-cylinder that is found in the current base Sierra and Silverado. The wound-up high-displacement inline-four puts out 310 horsepower, and 348-pound-feet of torque. Despite the improvement over the 4.3L V6, you know how people feel about a four-cylinder in a full-sized truck. Not so appetizing.

GM has big plans for the little engine, and it’s expected to be in the next-generation Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickups. Although it’s not exciting, at least the V8 is still available for those who want it.