Recently, Chevrolet has been encouraging faster adoption of electric mobility with new-age all-electric platforms and powertrains. However, there is no denying that Chevrolet still relies heavily on its wide range of internal combustion engines, which still rake in the majority of sales volumes.

From an engine as small as the eighth-generation three-cylinder Ecotec to the ballistic Duramax V8 diesel, Chevrolet has a wide range of internal combustion engines fulfilling the purposes of varying customers. We rank the five best engines from the current portfolio of Chevrolet depending on various parameters that are the most sought-after ones by the customers, which are as follows: 

Most Reliable Chevrolet Engine: 5.3L L84 Ecotec3 V8

Introduced in 2018, the 5.3-liter L84 Ecotec3 V8 engine is a follow-up to the previous-generation L83 version of the same engine configuration. It is the fifth-generation version of the mightily popular LS-based small-block V8 engine, which has affirmed its presence as one of the most reliable engines of the 21st century.

• This engine has an all-aluminum block and cylinder head while having a crankshaft and camshaft made of cast iron.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
• Compared to the active fuel management used in the previous-generation L83, the new 5.3-liter L84 Ecotec3 V8 engine gets Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) for better efficiency than the former.                                               
• The Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) features torque-based cylinder deactivation tech with 17 different modes of operation, including the operation of just one cylinder at a time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
• It also gets mild-hybrid tech with automatic start-stop function as an add-on over the L83, another fuel-saving measure, especially in stop-go traffic situations.
• The L84 Ecotec3 V8 also has a revised valley cover and repositioned water pump, which allows the power steering pump and high-mount air conditioning system to be more effectively positioned and function.
• Other revisions introduced in this new-generation 5.3-liter V8 include changes to the brake controller to eliminate the vacuum pump and lines and a revised exhaust system.
• This new-generation engine retains the variable valve timing, direct injection tech, and the single-stage oil pump from its previous-generation version.

Most Powerful Chevrolet Engine: 5.5L LT7 Gemini V8

Setting up performance benchmarks for American cars, the new-generation 5.5-liter LT7 Gemini V8 introduced for the C8 Corvette ZR1 claims to produce 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft, making it the most powerful American engine ever produced.

• The 5.5-liter LT7 V8 is the first-ever twin-turbocharged engine for the Chevrolet Corvette sportscar and shares some similarities with the naturally-aspirated LT6 V8 from the Corvette Z06.
• The similarities with the LT6 include a 4.104-inch bore, a 3.1-inch stroke, similar designs for flat-plane crank and alloy block design, and a dry-sump oiling system.
• The changes introduced in the LT7 over LT6 are extra machining in the block for cooling and oiling of the turbocharger, a lower boost-friendly compression ratio of 9.8:1, a lower redline of 8,000 rpm, and seven scavenging stages for the dry sump oiling system.
• Featuring both port and direct injection, the LT7 has eight extra port injectors in the intake manifold used while idling, with the engine using all 16 injectors while running at its full potential.
• The new cylinder heads of this V8 engine have 45mm intake valves and 35mm exhaust valves made of titanium.
• The engine also has a revised port design, redesigned valvetrain and combustion chambers, tweaked crank counterweights, and a conventional plenum with twin 65mm drive-by-wire throttles.
• The twin 76mm BorgWarner turbochargers have electronically operated wastegates and are positioned above integrated exhaust manifolds.
• These turbos can supply up to 24 psi air in the engine and are paired with dual intercoolers placed above the engine for intake charge.

Best Chevrolet Diesel Engine: 6.6L L5P Duramax V8

Like the Ecotec3 V8 gasoline engine, the Duramax V8 diesel engine also has a long-standing legacy, with the current version, the L5P, being its sixth-generation version. One of the largest and most powerful diesel engines offered in passenger vehicles, the 6.6-liter L5P Duramax V8 diesel was introduced in 2017. It was updated later in 2014 with minor updates that gave it better performance.

• Compared to the previous fifth-generation LML Duramax V8, the L5P Duramax was tweaked with new ceramic glow plugs, a fuel injection pump, an EGR system, an oil cooler, and fuel injectors for better fuel combustion.
• The new camshaft and revised cylinder block, made of a new gray iron casting, make it the most durable Chevrolet diesel engine ever, capable of withstanding pressures over 2,600 psi.
• With a new turbocharger and higher oil and coolant flow rates, the second-generation L5P Duramax diesel received a bump in power and torque outputs over the first-generation version.
• Chevrolet also upgraded the second-generation L5P Duramax V8 diesel with a new Denso HP4 pump, which increased its reliability in the long run.

Most Technologically-Advanced Chevrolet Engine: 6.2L LT2 Ecotec3 V8 Hybrid

The 5.5-liter LT7 Gemini V8, with its numerous performance-enhancing tech, has become the new benchmark of performance from Chevrolet. However, the 6.2-liter LT2 EcoTec3 V8 Hybrid engine takes the crown of the most technologically advanced Chevrolet powertrain with its full hybrid setup.

• Exclusively offered in the C8 Corvette E-Ray, the 6.2-liter LT2 EcoTec3 V8 Hybrid engine has an e-AWD layout, which is a combination of the 6.2-liter LT2 EcoTec3 V8, a front-mounted electric motor and a 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery.
• While the V8 engine produces 495 hp and 470 lb-ft, the electric motor at the front churns out 160hp and 125 lb-ft.
• In the combined mode, this powertrain setup claims 655 hp, making it the second-most powerful powertrain after the 5.5-liter LT7 Gemini V8.
• Based on the previous-generation LT1 V8, the new LT2 EcoTec3 V8 also gets active fuel management, an aluminum cylinder block, head and pistons, a durable rotating assembly with a steel crankshaft, and powder-metal connecting rods.
• This V8 engine also has a dual-pressure-control and variable-displacement vane pump, PCV-integrated rocker covers, a hydraulic roller-lifter camshaft, continuously variable valve timing, a high-pressure fuel pump, a high-flow intake manifold, and a new E92 engine controller.
• Along with all these features, the Hybrid version of the 6.2-liter LT2 EcoTec3 V8 also has hybrid-specific electronics, regenerative braking, and a hybrid cooling system.
• Over the LT1, this new-generation LT2 V8 engine gets a slightly different mid-placement and dry sump lubrication.
• This powertrain gets a new offset water pump, thermostat, and two side-mounted radiators at the front for more effective cooling.
• With the ‘Stealth’ mode, this engine switches to all-electric driving for up to 4-5 miles, with a maximum speed of 45 mph.

Most Fuel-Efficient Chevrolet Engine: 1.2L LIH E-Turbo I3

Currently the smallest-sized internal combustion engine from Chevrolet in the US, the 1.2-liter LIH E-Turbo I3 engine is also its most fuel-efficient powertrain. This inline-three turbocharged gasoline engine, also known as the eighth-generation Ecotec engine, is currently offered in its smallest and most affordable SUV, the Trax.

• The 1.2L LIH E-Turbo I3 claims a maximum combined fuel efficiency of 30 mpg in Chevrolet Trax, besides claiming 28 mpg in city and 32 mpg in highway conditions for the compact SUV.
• For improved fuel efficiency, this inline-three engine features an idle start-stop system, an electric turbocharger wastegate, and direct injection tech.
• The combustion chambers of this engine are designed for enhanced swirl efficiency, which eventually enhances combustion efficiency.
• The camshaft actuator system of this engine allows variations in camshaft timing depending on the directional changes in oil pressure, thereby improving fuel efficiency.