For the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado HD, the 6.6L gas V8 makes 401 hp while the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel makes 470 hp—a 69-hp difference in Chevrolet’s published ratings. The diesel also has substantially more torque and a higher maximum available trailering figure. “Same size” refers to the rounded 6.6-liter labels, not identical exact displacement.
How the 2026 Silverado HD engines compare
Chevrolet lists a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission with both engines. Its maximum available trailering figures are manufacturer maximums for eligible configurations and equipment, not ratings that apply to every Silverado HD.
| 2026 Silverado HD powertrain | Horsepower | Torque | Listed transmission | Maximum available trailering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6L gas V8 | 401 hp | 464 lb.-ft. | 10-speed Allison automatic | 19,080 lb. |
| Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel V8 | 470 hp | 975 lb.-ft. | 10-speed Allison automatic | 36,000 lb. |
Source for 2026 ratings, transmission, and maximum trailering figures: Chevrolet’s 2026 Silverado HD specifications.
What the 69-hp difference means
The difference is the subtraction of Chevrolet’s 2026 ratings: 470 hp for the Duramax minus 401 hp for the gas V8 equals 69 hp. Horsepower is only one part of the comparison. Chevrolet rates the diesel at 975 lb.-ft. of torque, versus 464 lb.-ft. for the gas engine. That much higher torque rating and the diesel’s higher maximum available trailering figure make it the higher-output choice on paper for heavy towing.
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Those maximum trailering numbers do not tell you what a particular truck can tow. The applicable rating depends on the truck’s configuration and equipment. To compare actual candidates, match the cab, bed, axle, drivetrain and payload to the trailer and intended use, then check the rating for that specific configuration.
Are the engines exactly the same size?
No. Both are marketed with a rounded 6.6L label, but Chevrolet’s 2023 Silverado HD Commercial eBrochure lists the gas engine at 6,564 cc (400 cu. in.) and the Duramax at 6,619 cc (403 cu. in.). The labels describe engines in the same nominal displacement class; they do not mean the engines have identical displacement.
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Why model year matters
Do not apply the 2026 Duramax output figures to older Silverado HDs. Chevrolet’s 2023 brochure rated that model-year Duramax at 445 hp and 910 lb.-ft.; Chevrolet’s 2026 specifications list 470 hp and 975 lb.-ft. The 2026 gas V8 figures in the current comparison are 401 hp and 464 lb.-ft.
Sources: Chevrolet’s 2023 Silverado HD Commercial eBrochure for the displacement and 2023 ratings; Chevrolet’s 2026 Silverado HD specifications for the 2026 ratings.
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Which engine should you choose for towing?
The published figures point to the Duramax if your priority is the Silverado HD’s highest available trailering capacity and torque. The gas V8 has lower published maximum trailering and torque figures, but those numbers alone do not establish which engine is the better fit for every buyer or trailer. First identify the Silverado HD configuration you need and verify its applicable trailering and payload ratings against your actual load. The 69-hp gap by itself cannot settle the decision.
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