2014 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Take over Pickup Power Title

It took years for General Motors to develop the all-new 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, and sometimes it feels as if it’s taking just as long for GM to provide specs for the full lineup. On the other hand, owners who order one of the trucks with the new 6.2-liter V8 will no doubt think it was worth the wait: Per GM, that engine will make 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque—more than any other light-duty pickup in the country. And will likely come as no surprise to learn that those best-in-class numbers also enable a best-in-class maximum tow rating of 12,000 lbs. (when properly equipped).

The new full-size pickup leaderboard for power and maximum tow ratings:

• 2014 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra: 6.2-liter V8/420 hp/460 lb.-ft./12,000 lbs.
• 2014 Ford F-150: 6.2-liter V8/411 hp/434 lb.-ft./11,300 lbs.
• 2014 Ford F-150: 3.5-liter turbo V6/365 hp/420 lb.-ft./11,300 lbs.
• 2013 Ram 1500: 5.7-liter V8/395 hp/407 lb.-ft./10,450 lbs.
• 2014 Toyota Tundra: 5.7-liter V8/381 hp/401 lb.-ft./10,200 lbs.
• 2013 Nissan Titan: 5.6-liter V8/317 hp/385 lb.-ft./ 9,300 lbs.

Now, it's important to re-emphasize the fact that these are gas-engined trucks, since the next-gen Titan will look to go from worst to first by adding a Cummins turbodiesel V8 to its roster. Full specs aren't available for the Titan's new powerplant, but the automaker is expecting it to supply more than 300 hp and in the neighborhood of 550 lb.-ft. of torque, which will no doubt give the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra a run for their money in the towing category.

2014 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra: What's Next

This is the part where I’d usually start discussing fuel-economy for the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, but to get back to my first point about the slow trickle of information about the trucks, their EPA ratings will be released at a later date, much like the 6.2-liter V8 itself. When it does become available, in “the near future,” it will be offered in the 2014 Chevy Silverado LTZ and new High Country range-topper, as well as the 2014 GMC Sierra SLT and Denali models.

The party line from Jeff Luke, GM's executive chief engineer for full- and mid-size trucks:  “Power and towing capacity are fundamental capabilities for full-size pickups. The 2014 Silverado and Sierra deliver unmatched power and towing capability with a host of ingenious driver aids.”

He’s not just referring to towing helpers, either. Sure, the two trucks come with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist as standard features, but they also include segment-exclusive safety measures like Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and GM’s Active Safety Seat, which can vibrate beneath the driver to indicate the direction of potential safety threats from other vehicles.

Also, just to be clear, a growing range of entries from the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra rosters are at dealerships now, with the former starting at $23,590 and the latter opening with an MSRP of $24,090.