I have been lucky enough to have the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss two times now. The first time, my model was equipped with the Durmax diesel engine. The second time, I had the 6.2-liter V8 engine. Now I’m facing an eternal battle over which Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss engine is better. 

Which 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss engine is best? 

The 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 Trail Boss has three engine options available. The first is a 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. I haven’t driven a Chevy truck with this engine, but it’s a nice start on paper. 

Recently, I spent a week with a Silverado Trail Boss that had the 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 gp and 460 lb-ft of torque.A while back, I had a Silverado Trail Boss with the Duramax diesel engine. 

It’s a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit with 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. Instantly, I noticed that the V8 engine has a faster acceleration. It instantly gets off the line with the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. 

The diesel engine is a bit sluggish in comparison. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds, which isn’t a big difference on paper. But the V8 gas-powered engine is more fun around town and on road trips. 

However, the V8 engine is much thirstier. It’s supposed to get an EPA-estimated  15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. My notorious lead foot had the truck hover around 13 mpg while off-roading, running errands, and traveling on the highway. 

The diesel engine should get an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and up to 29 mpg on the highway. With my driving style in the woods and around town, I was getting 22.8 mpg. 

Plus, the diesel engine feels better in the woods thanks to the extra torque. There was much more control and less slipping in the Durmax Trial Boss. With the V8 engine, the Trail Boss felt slower to respond to my input and slid more often in slick, icy mud. 

However, only the Custom Trail Boss is available with the Duramax diesel. It adds to the Custom trim level with 4×4, a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, the Z71 off-road suspension, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an automatically locking rear differential, and hill descent control. 

The LT Trail Boss isn’t available with the diesel engine. It adds 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, LED headlights, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. 

Plus, the LT trim level has keyless ignition/entry, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 13.4-inch infotainment screen, and a trailer brake controller. The LT Trail Boss feels more comfortable than the Custom model. Plus, the tech upgrades are attractive. 

At the end of the day, the diesel Trail boss stands out as the better work truck, especially if you have towing and off-roading to do. But the LT Traill Boss with the 6.2-liter engine is more comfortable and exciting on the pavement.