Which Diesel Truck Gets the Best MPG?

Diesel trucks get very strong gas mileage compared to their regular gas and premium gas engine counterparts. They belt out far more torque on average than gas engines of comparable sizes as well, making them great for towing. Read on to learn more about which diesel vehicles have the most impressive gas mileage and what that can mean for you and your wallet.

Duramax Diesel Engine

Dodge Ram 1500

The 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 is equipped with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine, providing 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. It gets 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the open road. The 4×4 variants of the Ram 1500 get 21 mpg in town and 29 on the highway. The Ram 1500 utilizes an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Colorado

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado rolls off the assembly line with a 2.8-liter I-4 diesel engine capable of generating 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The mileage of the Colorado varies by trim level, with the ZR2 getting 18 mpg in town and 22 on the open road, the Z71 getting 19 in the city and 28 on the highway, and the LT garnering an impressive 20 mpg in town and 30 on the highway. The 2021 Chevy Colorado diesel uses a six-speed automatic transmission.

GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon Elevation is available with a 2.8-liter I-4 diesel engine granting 181 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque, 19 mpg in town, and 28 on the highway. The diesel engine on the 2021 Canyon is available on the Elevation, Denali, and AT4 trim levels. The diesel on the Canyon is tied to a six-speed automatic transmission regardless of trim level.

Ford F-450

The 2021 Ford F-450 sports a 6.7-liter V-8 diesel engine attached to a 10-speed automatic and providing 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. This powerful engine goes through gas at a rate of 10.5 mpg. The 2021 Ford F-450 rolls out with a 10-speed automatic.

2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 Crew Cab in Red Quartz Tintcoat with Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6 Engine

The 2021 Sierra HD series includes a diesel engine at the 2500 level that’s capable of generating 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. This Duramax 6.6-liter V-8 gets 17 to 19 mpg on the highway. It has not yet been officially tested for in-town miles per gallon. This Sierra comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.

2021 Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator for the 2021 model year is powered by a 3.0-liter DOHC V-6 engine granting a total of 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. This engine is tied to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Gladiator Diesel is available on two trim levels, the Overland and the Rubicon. The 2021 Jeep Gladiator gets 21 mpg in town and 27 mpg on the open road.

2021 Ford F-150

The turbo-diesel on the Ford F-150 for the 2021 model year pounds out 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque and gains drivers 22 to 24 combined mpg. Separate city and highway mpg ratings have not been released for the 2021 Ford F-150. This pickup truck comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2021 Chevrolet Silverado with L5P Diesel in Cherry Red Tintcoat

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for the 2021 model year is equipped with a potent 3.0-liter DOHC I-6 turbo-diesel engine granting an impressive 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Chevy Silverado diesel has an innovative high-pressure fuel delivery system featuring common-rail direct injection and an electronic throttle valve. The 2021 Silverado 1500 comes with a six-speed automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission, depending on the trim level.

Choosing the Right Diesel Truck

It may be tempting to go with the diesel truck with the most powerful engine available, but consider the tasks you have in mind for your new truck and the gas mileage ratings of the vehicles available. Will it be pulling a large boat, camper, or trailer, or will it be hauling something lighter, such as a personal watercraft? Will you be hauling heavy construction materials for work or home use?

Consider where you want to drive your diesel truck. If you want an off-road experience, your best bet is a 4×4 version. If you intend to stay on city streets and highways, there is no need to spend money on an off-road system.

Gather all the information on what you want out of your ideal diesel truck and present it to one of the expert team members at your local dealership. From there, you’ll be able to determine the best engine size and towing kit for the jobs you have on your list. There is no need to lose piles of money on gas for a large engine when you require nothing of it that would utilize its full potential. Our professional staff at Cochran Chevrolet in Youngstown, Ohio, will help you save that money.

Maximizing your Diesel Engine’s Fuel Mileage

Image via Flickr by shixart1985

You can do a number of things to improve the efficiency of your driving so you can get more out of every gallon of fuel. The use of synthetic oil has been shown to improve fuel economy by as much as 11%. Oils with higher quality ratings can help improve miles per gallon as well, but make sure you stick to the specific oil variety listed in your owner’s manual. Use cruise control when you can, as your vehicle’s onboard computer is programmed to hold a regular speed without the need to pump the gas pedal repeatedly, increasing fuel efficiency.

Avoid accelerating unevenly or in hard bursts from a stop. These driving patterns may seem entertaining to thrill-seekers, but they endanger other drivers and burn through gas in a way that’s sure to burn a hole in your wallet. Don’t overload your truck. You might be tempted to pack your vehicle as full as possible, regardless of the weight of what you’re hauling, but consider your vehicle’s load and haul tolerances. If you exceed the towing or payload capacities of your diesel truck, your mpg, your engine health, brakes and your bank account will all take major hits.

Head over to Cochran Chevrolet in Youngstown, Ohio to learn all there is to know about our impressive diesel-powered pickup trucks. Our people are trained and ready to get you into the diesel truck that fits your workload without draining your funds due to poor fuel economy.