Diesel engines are known for their longevity and their excellent fuel economy. This type of engine is under the hood of some model cars and many more model trucks. If you are looking for a pickup truck with a diesel engine under its hood, we can help you.
We researched their availability from multiple professional sources so that you'll have a complete list of models to choose from.
The following pickup trucks have a diesel engine available:
- Ford F-150, F-250, and F-350
- Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500
- GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500
- Chevy Colorado 1500
- GMC Canyon
- Jeep Gladiator
- Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500
- Toyota Tundra [available in 2023 models only]
Now that we know what model pickups have a diesel engine available, we'll look at the advantages this engine will give pickup truck owners. You might also wonder who makes the cheapest diesel pickup truck or if buying a diesel truck is worth it.
For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
The advantages and disadvantages of having a diesel engine
When shopping for a new truck, there are many options for you to consider. The onboard features, the bed and cabin size, and the towing capacities are all part of an overall picture you are slowly putting together based on your wants and needs.
But another important consideration is the type of engine you want under its hood.
There are advantages and disadvantages of either gasoline or diesel engines. There is no "one size fits all" scenario here. Rather, the pros and cons of each should be carefully weighed out so that you will ultimately select the engine type that is right for you.
We've compiled a list of the major pros and cons of having a diesel engine in your pickup truck. Consider each one and compare it to how it measures up to what you want your truck to do.
The pros of a diesel pickup truck
The fuel economy of a diesel engine is an important consideration. In some instances, a diesel engine will get as much as 30% more miles per gallon than its gasoline-powered counterpart. Their emissions are also noticeably less than gasoline engines, making them better for the environment.
Diesel engines are a lot more powerful. They will have greater horsepower and can generate a lot more torque. A diesel engine is the best for the job if you are hauling heavier loads in the bed or towing a full trailer behind you.
The diesel engine is manufactured to last much longer than a gasoline engine. This fuel type produces less wear on the engine, making it last upwards of 100,000 miles longer than ones fueled by gas.
The cons of a diesel pickup truck
Despite their advantages, diesel engines do come with some caveats. The upfront cost of this engine might be enough to give some consumers pause.
Additionally, the cost of diesel fuel is almost always noticeably more than gasoline, mostly negating the fact that diesel engines get more miles per gallon.
Insurance tends to be higher on vehicles powered by a diesel engine. Though not a substantial increase over gasoline-powered trucks, it's an additional expense that should be factored in. They are also more expensive to maintain, even though they will not need service as often.
Diesel engines will also make a lot more noise than gas engines. If you want a vehicle that idles quiet, you certainly do not want one with a diesel engine under the hood.
Who makes the cheapest diesel pickup truck?
A little truck shopping on the internet will reveal that diesel pickups are noticeably more expensive than ones with an old-fashioned gasoline engine under their hood.
While it might seem like the sky is the limit on what you might have to pay for one, we've discovered that there are certainly affordable options for those who want a diesel pickup truck but don't want to pay out the nose.
We found many under $60,000, including the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, and GMC Canyon 1500. These are an average of $55,000 and will get you many of the available onboard comforts and generate the towing power you might need.
But there is one model that is far less than these models. The Chevy Colorado has a sticker price of under $40k, with an average price of $37,000.
Is buying a diesel truck worth it?
Earlier in this post, we outlined the advantages and disadvantages of owning a diesel pickup truck. Considering those alone aren't pushing you toward or pulling you away from this type of engine, we can give you some other thoughts to help you with your decision.
We know that a diesel truck will cost more to buy, fill up at the pump, and more to insure. But we also know that these trucks last much longer than gasoline-powered ones. And that they will get a lot better fuel economy.
Is the longevity of value to you?
Diesel engines will last upwards of 500,000 miles. Think of that for a moment. If you drive an average of 20,000 miles yearly, you should get at least 25 years out of this engine. This is substantially more than an engine that uses gasoline, which might get 300,000 miles or more over its useful life.
But is this longevity an asset to you personally? If you want a truck that will last seemingly forever, then a diesel one might be what you are looking for.
But if you are the type of consumer that trades on their truck for a new model every five to 10 years, then the extra expense of a diesel engine might not be right for you.
Will the extra power benefit you?
Diesel engines will give you a lot more power behind the wheel. You have a truck for a reason, which mostly centers around hauling cargo in the bed and pulling something behind you.
Whether you often load the bed with construction materials or attach a fifth wheel or a boat to the hitch, you drive a truck because you need a powerful machine to get these items from point A to point B.
But how much power do you need? When shopping for a truck, you should know the towing and payload capacities that you have to have in a vehicle. Then, compare your needs to the capabilities of the trucks you are considering.
There's a chance that the extra torque, horsepower, and towing capacities that are offered by a diesel engine might be a lot more than what you need. On the other hand, if you want to pull a larger 5th wheel or a giant boat behind you, then diesel could be the way to go.
Final thoughts
Most pickup truck models will have a diesel engine as an option, depending on what trim level you select. These engines have many advantages, including better fuel economy, higher resale value, and long life on the roadways.
Carefully weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of diesel and gasoline engines to select the one that is right for your needs. Drive safe!
Make it this far? We hope we were able to answer all of your questions. For additional helpful information, we recommend reading the following posts:
Do You Need A Diesel Truck To Pull A 5th Wheel [Including 5th Wheel & Pick-up Models]
Contaminated Diesel Fuel Symptoms To Look Out For [Inc. Water]
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Dosing Malfunction – What Could Be Wrong?