The Ultimate Guide To The Chevy 2.7L TurboMax Engine

Table of Contents

What Is the Chevy TurboMax Engine?
Chevy TurboMax Engine Specs
Chevy TurboMax MPG
Chevy TurboMax Engine Reliability
Chevy 2.7-Liter vs. Ford 2.7-Liter vs. Ram 3.6
Known Chevy TurboMax Engine Problems and Solutions
Find Your Next Truck Today at the Haley Automotive Group

The Chevy TurboMax engine is an innovation that brings more power to base-configuration trucks while also enhancing fuel efficiency across the board. Whether you find it in the full-size Silverado 1500 or the midsize Colorado truck, the TurboMax will be ready to get any job done time and time again. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of the TurboMax engine, and then get in touch with the Haley Automotive Group to set up a test drive.

What Is the Chevy TurboMax Engine?

The Chevy TurboMax engine is the standard heart of the full-size Silverado 1500 and an available source of extra power in the midsize Colorado. It may be a low-displacement four-cylinder engine, but it does the job of a large V-6 without breaking a sweat or guzzling gasoline. This Chevy 2.7-liter turbo engine, therefore, is the best choice for drivers who want versatility and value above all.

The Silverado 1500 offers stronger engines, but getting them requires you to sacrifice some of your budget and, most of the time, your truck's fuel efficiency. The Chevy Colorado, meanwhile, reaches its most exciting form with the TurboMax engine, providing it as standard in its three off-road trims: the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2.

While it is the Chevy TurboMax engine, you can also find it on sibling GMC vehicles like the Sierra 1500. Regardless, once you read on and head out to drive a truck with TurboMax power, you'll quickly discover the many additional reasons why Chevy enthusiasts flock to this smooth engine.

Chevy TurboMax Engine Specs

The Chevy TurboMax engine, as mentioned, is the standard power source of the new 2025 Silverado 1500 and is available as an upgrade in the 2025 Colorado truck.

In both models, it provides more force than most other small-displacement engines can muster, and it can even exceed the bigger Silverado 1500 V-8 option for torque. Towing specs see the TurboMax reside at the bottom of the Silverado 1500 engine lineup, but this entry-level position is higher than many other trucks' mid-tier upgrade options.

The Chevy 2.7-liter turbo specs for the Silverado 1500, and how the other Chevy Silverado engines compare, goes as follows:

The standard Colorado truck engine, while also a 2.7-liter turbo engine, makes 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the Chevy TurboMax engine still makes 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Conversely to how the 2.7-liter Chevy engine specs are at the low end of the Silverado 1500 engine lineup, the Colorado reaches its maximum towing capacity (7,700 pounds) with TurboMax power.¹

Chevy TurboMax MPG

While the Chevy TurboMax engine is efficient, its specific fuel efficiency rating will vary depending on several factors, most notably the configuration details. The chart below explores the various MPG ratings that the Chevy TurboMax engine can deliver in the Silverado 1500:

While 4WD will lower the Chevy Silverado 2.7-liter turbo MPG rating, the increase in capability and traction on any surface is, in our opinion, well worth this trade. We also must add that towing will decrease the Chevy TurboMax engine MPGs due to the added weight of your trailer.

Chevy TurboMax Engine Reliability

If you're wondering, "How many miles will a Chevy 2.7-liter turbo last?", you're not alone. The engine is relatively new to the market, after all, and that can cause potential owners to look at the truck with some skepticism. If this is the case for you, you can take solace in the fact that the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 still offers time-tested V-8 options and also earned one of the highest J.D. Power Quality & Reliability rankings for the full-size truck class: a "Great" score of 84 out of 100.⁷ Similarly, the latest Colorado truck to be ranked earned a "Great" J.D. Power Quality & Reliability rating of 85 out of 100.⁸

Helping achieve great reliability, the following engineering feats and more are included in the TurboMax engine:

• Full forged-steel bottom end (heavy-duty crankshaft, bearings, and more)
• Diesel-inspired internals (features like tri-metal bearings and machined-crown pistons help manage the heavy engine load)
• High-heat cast-iron cylinder liners (manage high heat and resist wear with enhanced durability)
• Full-service-life chain drive (vital timing chain tensioners designed for maximum longevity)
• Thermosyphon turbo cooling (provides cooling to the turbocharger after the engine shuts off)

Chevy 2.7-Liter vs. Ford 2.7-Liter vs. Ram 3.6: Compare Standard Truck Engines

The Chevy TurboMax engine is not alone on the market. The Ford Motor Company has also made a similar standard four-cylinder turbo engine for the F-150 truck: a 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine. Ram 1500 trucks, meanwhile, continue to use the proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6.

Here's how they compare:

The standard-engine Chevy 2.7-liter vs. Ram 3.6-liter comparison is interesting, since the Chevy TurboMax beats the Ram Pentastar for power and towing but not for MPGs – a result of the Ram engine's hybrid power. Likewise, the Ford F-150 truck's standard engine also loses to the TurboMax engine's power and towing, with a smaller win for MPGs.

The Silverado 1500 Duramax engine will, as seen in the earlier chart, deliver better MPGs and towing capacity than all of these engines, but it does not come standard.

Known Chevy TurboMax Engine Problems and Solutions

While the Chevy TurboMax engine is a dependable unit that has earned great reliability scores from expert reviewers, most, if not all, gas engines have a few known issues that can arise, and the TurboMax is no exception.

Fortunately, the Chevy TurboMax engine's known issues, such as carbon buildup (a common occurrence in most brands' direct-injection engines), are relatively easy to deal with and can generally be avoided by following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. Here's a quick overview:

Regular oil changes, multipoint inspections, and on-time maintenance services will help your Silverado 1500 or Colorado last as long as it possibly can while presenting you with fewer issues along the way. Things can go wrong in even the most reliable and well-maintained vehicle, but if you run into issues, the Chevy TurboMax engine warranty will be there to help.

For example, if you buy a new 2025 Silverado 1500 with a TurboMax engine, you'll get a five-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty¹² that covers the engine.

While the maintenance schedule can vary based on the model, model year, and other details of your vehicle (like the Chevy 5.3-liter vs. Chevy 2.7-liter turbo oil capacity), it generally will have a 7,500-mile interval, meaning that you should ideally bring the vehicle in for service after every 7,500 miles of driving.

Find Your Next Truck Today at the Haley Automotive Group

Whether the TurboMax engine has your attention or that efficient Ram 3.6-liter engine caught your eye, the Haley Automotive Group has you covered. Our dealership family is proud to stock the big three full-size trucks, so if you're still debating between the Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500, we can walk you through all the further details that set them apart when you call, email, or visit us.

¹Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner's Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.

²EPA-estimated 18 city/21 hwy/19 comb. 2.7L TurboMax, 2WD.

³EPA-estimated 16 city/21 hwy/18 comb. 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8, 2WD.

⁴EPA-estimated 15 city/20 hwy/17 comb. 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8, 2WD.

⁵EPA-estimated 23 city/29 hwy/26 comb. 3.0L DuraMax Turbo-Diesel, 2WD.

⁶EPA-estimated 17 city/20 hwy/18 comb. 2.7L TurboMax, 4WD.

⁷Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2025/chevrolet/silverado-1500

⁸Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2022/chevrolet/colorado

⁹When properly equipped. See dealer for details.

¹⁰EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.

¹¹EPA-estimated 20 city MPG / 26 hwy MPG / 23 combined MPG with 3.6L Pentastar V-6, 8-speed automatic, 2WD. Actual mileage may vary.

¹²Warranties listed on this web page shall not be solely relied upon. Warranties may be subject to specific terms, restrictions, exclusions, and fees. Additional warranty information may be obtained by visiting the official website of the warranty provider. Contact our dealership for complete details.