2016 Sierra Engine 5.3L or 6.2l?

Trucknali1 · February 5, 2016

I got the 6.2. No regrets, at all.

All the torque you want, anytime, and this thing is fast as shit! I'm seriously impressed with my new 2016. Get the 6.2!

Jake56 · February 5, 2016

Well Bergy 21 be careful about the advice you are getting and take it with a point of reference . You have guys on this website that spent thousands of dollars more for the 6.2 …..do you think they would ever admit that they spent that money in some cases carelessly and could of went with the 5.3 and still be able to tow 5000 lbs no problem. Male ego is such that in most cases “no regrets” means it sounded good at the time. Study your needs and tow aspects and buy the truck that fits the best compromise for all your priorities .

Trucknali1 · February 5, 2016

If you're going to tow anything get the 6.2. My 6.2 tows the Cascade mountain passes like a breeze, the 5.3 has to work at it.

Is that your C5 going through turn 16 at The Ridge? Sweet looking track car!

Trucknali1 · February 5, 2016

Well Bergy 21 be careful about the advice you are getting and take it with a point of reference . You have guys on this website that spent thousands of dollars more for the 6.2 …..do you think they would ever admit that they spent that money in some cases carelessly and could of went with the 5.3 and still be able to tow 5000 lbs no problem. Male ego is such that in most cases “no regrets” means it sounded good at the time. Study your needs and tow aspects and buy the truck that fits the best compromise for all your priorities .

"No regrets" means that I did plenty of research, test drove both versions, and made a logical decision based on multiple factors. Looking back, it was the right choice.

In other words, I studied my needs and bought the truck that fits the best compromise for all my priorities, just like the OP is trying to do.

amxguy1970 · February 5, 2016

That is entirely up to you. Those that picked the 6.2 of course are going to say best ever, no other way, ect. The 5.3 is plenty fast and will handle 5k no problem. It will work a little harder but their towing is only about 2k off each other max. The more power will be a little faster and get a little less mpg. It is up to you. Do you want to spend another 2.5k plus the small hit in mpg and slightly more in financing, insurance, ect just to be a little faster day to day or do you want to save a little and go the other route? That is really what it comes down to, the 5.3 is in no way under powered. Now if you were comparing it to a 300 hp 4.8 that would be a different story or if you were towing up near the limits I would think otherwise. But most anyone who got the 5.3 is happy with the motor, some are just ego driven and think a truck should be fast though so...

Me personally I am not in to the whole leather box checker truck so SLE and LT for me and those you can't get it. If I could I probably would stick with the 5.3 unless I had some extreme situations above. The 6.2 won't get you any further in the snow, mud, ect.

Tyler

Last C5 · February 5, 2016

Is that your C5 going through turn 16 at The Ridge? Sweet looking track car!

I had to go back and look at my avatar and see what picture I was using. Yes, that's my car and that is T16 at the Ridge. I'll be up there with the Turn 2 group this year so stop by and say hello.

Aubie_01 · February 5, 2016

6.2 has a well deserved reputation as a beastly motor.

However, the 5.3 w/ the 8speed in these trucks is no slouch. Seems much quicker than my old 5.3 GMT900.

Trucknali1 · February 5, 2016

I had to go back and look at my avatar and see what picture I was using. Yes, that's my car and that is T16 at the Ridge. I'll be up there with the Turn 2 group this year so stop by and say hello.

Unfortunately we may not cross paths anytime soon....you'll find me on two wheels instead of four!

Tek74 · February 5, 2016

The 6.2L is definitely a work horse, but a max 5k pound tow is nothing for a 5.3L with 3:42 gears and an 8-speed. It would just take a little longer getting up to speed, and work a little harder maintaining speed uphill.

But don't just consider you "now" needs. Also consider your "future" needs. Are you going to keep the truck for a substantial amount of time, and will you ever need to pull more weight.

I went back-n-forth on the engine size thing and decided to be honest with myself as to what my needs would be for the next 10-15 years. For me, the most work I expect my double cab to do is carry me and the wife, with a quad in the bed, while pulling a small trailer weighing under 5k pounds. So I went with the 5.3L engine. When I get closer to retirement, I will likely upgrade to the bigger engine.

OmahaBen · February 5, 2016

I have a 6.2 in a 2014. My previous engine was the 2004 5.3. It is amazing how much more powerful the 6.2 is.

The old truck did the job but was shifting a lot pulling the 3500lb trailer on the interstate.

If you consider your truck more of a commuter vehicle than a tow vehicle, get the 5.3 with at least the 3.23 / 8speed. Even better to get 3.42.

Also the 91 octane fuel is kind of dumb in the 6.2, I don't care for that.

I could have bought a SLT CC 6.5 Bed 4x4 truck with a 5.3 and no tow package for roughly $39000. My 6.2 came with the max tow SLT CC 6.5 Bed 4x4 and was $42600 with all fees (purchased Oct of 2014)

I put 30,000 on my truck last year and did about 15K commute and 15K with my side business mostly interstate towing. I have actually increased my load to 5000 lbs and am not loving the 6.2 as much as I did.

I have a fixed load on my trailer and it is more tongue heavy than before (I put an airbag / compressor system since my trailer was squating the rear. Now I can ride level while pulling any of my 3 trailer configs.)

Even though it probably isn't worth it, had I known what I know now I would have gotten the duramax. I would rather have a truck that is overkill and babying it vs. wishing for more power.

I am not a vehicle flipper. I would rather pay more, get what I want with no regrets and keep it for 10 years and get my money out that way.

Once you have the 5.3 to trade to a 6.2 would be much more than getting it initially.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

UplandPa · February 6, 2016

In the Chevy it wasn't just an engine choice. The 6.2 could only be ordered with the LTZ package which added a lot more to the price of the truck and options I didn't need. It would have been a tough choice for me if the 6.2 had been offered in the lower trim levels. The fact that the 6.2 uses premium fuel may have swayed me, I honestly don't know!

I do know I'm very happy with the 5.3, it gets over 22 MPG on the highway on regular gas, has more than enough power for fun, and can hold it's own towing.

The 6.2 would put me in a different category, which surely would also be neat!

amfr · February 6, 2016

I tow a boat ever other weekend it's about 6klb and I have the 5.3 with 3.42 and I have no issues. 6.2 I would of got had they had one at the dealership but every 1500 had the 5.3....small dealership maybe sell 30 cars a month and my wife grew up with owners and went to church with them

sent from Florida beech

2016 chevy 6.2 · February 6, 2016

I would never go back to a 5.3 there is no power hard shifting not like my new 2016 silverado 6.2 well worth the extra 1500

redwngr · February 6, 2016

I have a 6.2 in a 2014. My previous engine was the 2004 5.3. It is amazing how much more powerful the 6.2 is.

The old truck did the job but was shifting a lot pulling the 3500lb trailer on the interstate.

I'm betting you would have found a significant improvement with the new 5.3 as well. (but there is not denying the 6.2 turns up the fun factor -- and it sounds better )

My 2015 DC was a 6.2. This ones a CC 5.3 max tow.

George C · February 6, 2016

Well Bergy 21 be careful about the advice you are getting and take it with a point of reference . You have guys on this website that spent thousands of dollars more for the 6.2 …..do you think they would ever admit that they spent that money in some cases carelessly and could of went with the 5.3 and still be able to tow 5000 lbs no problem. Male ego is such that in most cases “no regrets” means it sounded good at the time. Study your needs and tow aspects and buy the truck that fits the best compromise for all your priorities .

Unless you are stretched for cash, why settle for less...