In the engine’s more than two decades of history, Duramax engines have only made three appearances in the United States: the 6.6-liter for trucks, the 2.8-liter, and most recently, the 3-liter for small cars. That said, power should be more of a concern than variety. The engines may not have as much history as their competitors, as they were often produced as replacements for Detroit Diesel engines that GM used.
Despite the various displacements and major changes over the years, Duramax engines have stood the test of time on the market. No big deal, just a little more tweaking to make the engine better and produce less gas and more torque.
The latest iteration of the Duramax produces 975 pound-feet of torque when paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. General Motors may not have added much to displacement in 22 years, but the extra 455 pound-feet of torque on the original Duramax speaks for itself. From the 2016 model year to the 2023 model year, Chevy briefly offered the 2.8-liter Duramax on the Chevy Colorado — delivering 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
The Duramax 3-liter is an inline-six engine that debuted in 2019 and produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Silverado. Years ago, diesel engines did not exist. After that, it’s also optional on the GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL, as well as the Cadillac Escalade.