If you are a truck enthusiast, then you probably know that the key to choosing a full-size truck is getting one with a powertrain designed to do the job you need to get done. Before you start rolling down the highway, you have to know that the combination of engine and transmission will keep you running. In comparing the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Nissan Titan, you see different approaches being taken by two of the top automakers. Where Nissan has chosen to go with one standard powertrain on every model of the 2022 Titan, Chevy offers truckers a choice of four different powertrains on the 2022 Silverado 1500.
The Silverado 1500 is currently in its fourth generation, which was introduced in 2019. In contrast, the Nissan Titan has been in its second generation since 2016, even though there were some updates made to the truck back in 2020. The biggest change in either truck entering 2022 was the decision by Chevy to drop the 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 from the Silverado 1500, making a new 2.7-liter Turbo High-Output the standard engine on this truck. As a result, in comparing the two trucks, the key will be seeing how the single engine on the Nissan Titan stacks up against the four different options on the Chevy Silverado 1500.
Standard V8 Engine on the 2022 Nissan Titan
Every model of the 2022 Nissan Titan comes equipped with a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 gas engine. This engine comes paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and features hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift, which are designed to improve performance and engine response. The fuel injection system is direct with an eye towards improving fuel economy while reducing emissions. This powertrain combination is capable of producing 400 horsepower at 5,800 RPM and 413 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. Nissan claims that the engine on the Titan provides the most standard horsepower in its class, but this may be a little misleading, as it doesn’t take into account available engine options on other full-size truck models from its competitors.
Four Engine Options on the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500
Chevy offers drivers four different engines on the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500. Unlike Nissan, which has chosen a standard V8 engine for the Titan, Chevy goes with a four-cylinder gas engine as the standard engine on the Silverado 1500. At first glance, this might seem like an odd choice for a full-size pickup truck. In general, the rule of thumb has been that bigger is better, with manufacturers going with the largest engine possible to generate the horsepower and torque to haul cargo and tow trailers. However, the 2.7-liter Turbo High Output I-4 engine on the 2022 Silverado 1500 defies expectations and conventional wisdom.
This engine comes paired with a Hydra-Matic 8-speed automatic transmission and features variable valve timing, active fuel management, and automatic stop/start to reduce emissions and boost fuel economy. However, the key to the engine’s performance is its turbocharger, which boosts performance without impacting engine efficiency. As a result, this dual-overhead-camshaft engine is capable of 310 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 430 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM. While that doesn’t match the horsepower of the standard V8 on the Titan, it does surpass the torque rating by a noticeable margin.
The first of three optional engines on the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 is a 5.3-liter V8. Like the other optional engines on the Silverado 1500, it comes with a Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine has an overhead valve design with two valves per cylinder and uses variable valve timing and dynamic fuel management to improve fuel economy. As a result, this engine is capable of 355 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 383 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 RPM, solid numbers for an engine of this size.
The second conventional gas engine option on the 2022 Silverado 1500 is a 6.2-liter V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Like the 5.3-liter V8, it has an overhead valve design and utilizes variable valve timing with dynamic fuel management. However, this engine is only available on four-wheel drive models of the Silverado 1500, so if you want a rear-wheel drive truck, then you will have to go with one of the three other engine options. Even so, this will give you a blistering 420 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 RPM. Both of these figures easily eclipse the numbers produced by the Nissan Titan.
The final engine option on the 2022 Silverado 1500 is a 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6. So if you want a diesel engine on your truck, then your only choice is the Silverado 1500. This engine features a dual-overhead-camshaft configuration giving it four valves per cylinder. Unlike the other engines, it uses a high-pressure common-rail direct injection system, which is common to most diesel engines. The use of a turbocharger boosts this engine’s performance, making it capable of 277 horsepower at 3,750 RPM and 460 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 RPM. This shows the advantage of a diesel engine truck, as it is able to provide maximum performance even at low speeds. Also, the torque figure surpasses that offered by the V8 gas engine on the Nissan Titan.
Comparative Towing and Hauling
One of the main reasons folks buy a full-size truck is to be able to tow trailers and haul heavy cargo loads. No matter which powertrain you choose, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 is going to provide more towing and hauling capability than the 2022 Nissan Titan. For example, the Titan can tow up to 9,320 pounds, which is slightly less than the 9,50-pound towing capability on the Silverado 1500 with the 2.7-liter Turbo I-4. The Silverado 1500 with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 surpasses both of these at 11,200 pounds of maximum towing capacity. The top figures are delivered by the Silverado 1500 with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 and the 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel, each of which can tow up to an astounding 13,300 pounds.
The same result can be seen when it comes to payload capacity. While the Titan can carry up to 1,690 pounds, the Silverado 1500 can haul up to 2,270 pounds. This is a difference of almost 600 pounds. This may seem like a surprising result since the Nissan boasts more horsepower than all but the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 on the Silverado 1500. However, it comes down to the design of the two trucks themselves, including frame strength, suspension quality, and more. Thanks to Chevy’s superior engineering, the Silverado 1500 is going to deliver more towing and hauling than the Titan.
Comparative Fuel Economy
Until recent times, fuel economy was not a big issue for truck drivers. Gas prices were relatively low, so truckers could focus on the road ahead, not worrying about how much they had to pay each time they filled up their pickup truck. Unfortunately, those days are long since past, as gas prices across the country have continued to spike. That is why it is more important than ever to focus on gas mileage when you are buying any vehicle, even a truck.
The 2022 Nissan Titan gets relatively decent fuel economy regardless of whether you choose a model with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Both will give you 21 miles per gallon on the highway and 18 miles per gallon combined. However, the rear-wheel drive Titan is slightly more efficient when it comes to city driving, giving you 16 miles per gallon, one mile per gallon better than on four-wheel drive models.
The fuel economy of the Nissan Titan is almost matched by the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 with either of the conventional V8 gas engines. In fact, the rear-wheel drive Silverado 1500 with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 gets exactly the same gas mileage as the rear-wheel drive Titan. Choosing the Silverado 1500 with this engine and four-wheel drive will only cost you a little bit of fuel economy, about one mile per gallon less than on the Titan, and the same as the Silverado 1500 with the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 and four-wheel drive.
If your biggest concern is fuel economy, then you should consider either the Silverado 1500 with the standard 2.7-liter Turbo High Output I-4 or the available 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6. The Chevy with the I-4 will give you a very respectable 19 miles per gallon in city driving, 22 miles per gallon on the highway, and 20 miles per gallon combined when you choose it with rear-wheel drive. However, the true fuel economy champion is the Silverado 1500 with the Turbo-Diesel. These rear-wheel drive trucks will give you an incredible 23 miles per gallon in city driving, 31 miles per gallon on the highway, and 26 miles per gallon combined. Opting for four-wheel drive will reduce fuel economy just a little bit, to 22 miles per gallon in the city, 26 miles per gallon on the highway, and 24 miles per gallon combined. Either way, you are going to rack up the savings each time you fill up a 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 with a Turbo-Diesel engine.
Powertrains That Keep on Trucking
While the 2022 Nissan Titan has a very solid standard V8 gas engine, it just can’t compare to the performance and fuel economy afforded by the four different engines available on the 2022 Chevy Silverado. While the 2.7-liter Turbo I-4 and 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel give you amazing fuel economy on a full-size truck, all four available engines on the Silverado 1500 provide you with impressive towing and hauling capability. As you can see, the key to choosing a truck often comes down to picking the right powertrain for your purposes.
