7 Best Diesel Trucks You Can Buy And 4 Of The Worst!
- 2006 and 2007 Chevy and GMC 2500 and 3500. These trucks have a classic body style and sport the Duramax engine, which puts them at the top of the best diesel truck list.
- 2014 Ram 1500.
- 2012 Chevy Silverado HD.
- 1999 ½ – 2000 Ford Super Duty.
- 2010 Dodge Ram 2500HD.
2006-2007 2500 & 3500
With arguably the best plug-and-play horsepower potential (on top of 360 horsepower being offered right out of the box), the last of the (essentially*) emissions-free engines, and a stronger, six-speed Allison to back them, the LBZ Duramax has a lot going for it.It is clear by these data that the earlier 2001-04 LB7 Duramax diesels produce on average about 2 mpg better fuel economy than the 2004.5 or newer LLY/LBZ/LMM Duramax.
The full-size Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax is the most fuel-efficient truck on the market, achieving 27 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
New EPA ratings rank the diesel version of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as the most fuel-efficient light-duty truck on the market. The pickup achieves an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city when equipped with the new 3-liter inline six-cylinder Duramax diesel engine and rear-wheel drive.
On a Duramax C/C If your towing big and heavy, then you won't notice much difference in mpg while towing with a dually vs a single. But the added stability in my mind is well worth the 1/2 to 1 mpg difference. If you drive empty not towing a lot, you will see somewhere in the 2 to 5.5 less mpg with the dually.
Common Problems with the 6.6L Duramax Diesel. The 6.6L Duramax has been in production since 2001 and has proved, on a large scale, to be a relatively reliable and durable platform. While various versions of the engine have surfaced over the years, all generations of the Duramax are based on the same foundation.
A common issue with the GM 6.6L LB7 Duramax engine is white smoke at idle. Worn and damaged injectors are often the cause however there are other causes and considerations that should be looked at prior to injector replacement.
What 4x4 Truck Gets the Best Gas Mileage? Once again, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes out on top. The Silverado 1500 Duramax 4WD is rated 23/29/25 mpg. Not far behind are the diesel GMC Sierra 1500 4WD (22/26/24 mpg), the diesel Ram 1500 4WD (21/29/24 mpg), and the diesel Ford F-150 RWD (21/29/24 mpg).
The 2020 GMC Sierra does a lot of things well. It's powerful and capable, with a smooth ride, easy-to-use tech features, and ample passenger space. It doesn't lead the class in any notable areas, but it also doesn't have any major shortcomings.
To get the best mileage the truck should be run on the lowest side its torque band, that is – the lowest RPM where the truck can still make torque. This is where it's most efficient, meaning it costs less fuel to make power. Most tuners widen the torque band.
Best Trucks for Fuel Economy in 2020
- GMC Canyon | 4-cyl | $1,700 | 22 mpg | For Sale.
- Ford F-150 | V6 | $1,700 | 22 mpg | For Sale.
- Ford F-150 | 2.7L Turbo V6 | $1,700 | 22 mpg | For Sale.
- Honda Ridgeline | V6 | $1,700 | 22 mpg | For Sale.
- Ram 1500 | Diesel | $1,700 | 26 mpg | For Sale.
- GMC Sierra 1500 | Diesel | $1,700 | 26 mpg | For Sale.
The most fuel-efficient truck in the full-size segment is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax, achieving 23/33/27 mpg city/highway/combined with RWD. The smooth 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine makes 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and this output is routed through a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.
Look no further than the amazing lineup of GMC Sierra pickupsGMC Sierra pickups. From the one-ton Sierra 1500 to the practical three-quarter-ton 2500HD to the one-ton behemoth known as the Sierra 3500, our selection of GMC trucks will have you ready for any job.
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado takes home the gold medal for fuel economy ratings in the pickup segment. With its available diesel engine, the Silverado shows off EPA scores of 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.
The 6.6L Duramax has been in production since 2001 and has proved, on a large scale, to be a relatively reliable and durable platform. However, like any engine (or any complex mechanism for that matter), the Duramax engine and Allison 1000 transmission have some common problems inherent to their design.
#1 – Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
| Year | Average Miles Per Gallon |
|---|
| 2013 | 14.9 MPG |
| 2015 | 14.2 MPG |
| 2017 | 14.3 MPG |
| 2019 | 14.9 MPG |
Offering up to an EPA estimated 30 MPG highway, the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel not only gives you the most efficient Sierra 1500 ever, but is an ideal powertrain for off-road adventurers with a powerful 460 lb-ft of torque and best-in-class 277 diesel horsepower.
Tech specs
| Model | 2015 GMC Sierra |
|---|
| Trim | 2500 Denali HD |
| Powertrain | Turbocharged 6.6-liter diesel V-8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission |
| EPA fuel economy | Unrated |
| Observed fuel economy | 16.5 mpg |
#1 – Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
| Year | Average Miles Per Gallon |
|---|
| 2013 | 14.9 MPG |
| 2015 | 14.2 MPG |
| 2017 | 14.3 MPG |
| 2019 | 14.9 MPG |
Starting At: $63,700. †
Tow up to 18,500 lbs. Max payload of 3,862 lbs.The 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8, which mates to the 10-speed Allison automatic transmission, is the primary option on the 2020 GMC Sierra HD, but there's also a Denali Ultimate Package that includes HD Surround Vision, the Rear Camera Mirror, a bed-view camera and a power sunroof.
| Regular Cab |
|---|
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | 5741 / 2604 (2WD) 6065 / 2751 (4WD) |
| GVWR (lb / kg): | 9300 / 4218 (2WD) 9500 / 4309 (4WD) |
| Payload (lb / kg): | 3534 / 1603 (2WD) 3410 / 1547 (4WD) |
Most reputable organizations, such as the Association of Diesel Specialists, would agree that the 6.6l Duramax is one of the most reliable diesel motors available today. Provided proper maintenance, it can easily hit the 350,000 mile mark, with some users claiming 400-500,000 miles is the norm.
New EPA ratings rank the diesel version of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as the most fuel-efficient light-duty truck on the market. The pickup achieves an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city when equipped with the new 3-liter inline six-cylinder Duramax diesel engine and rear-wheel drive.
So, is
30+
MPG with a Duramax engine a myth?
However, there are a couple of tried and true things you can do to save more gas and, ultimately, more money.
- Don't leave your engine idling for too long.
- Don't drive with a heavy foot.
- Keep an eye on your tires.
- Regularly service and maintain your truck.
Most reputable organizations, such as the Association of Diesel Specialists, would agree that the 6.6l Duramax is one of the most reliable diesel motors available today. Provided proper maintenance, it can easily hit the 350,000 mile mark, with some users claiming 400-500,000 miles is the norm.
Top 10 Best Gas Mileage Diesels
- #10 - 2019 Ford F-150.
- #9 - 2019 GMC Canyon.
- #8 - 2019 Chevrolet Colorado.
- #7 - 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Velar.
- #6 - 2019 Jaguar F-PACE.
- #5 - 2019 GMC Terrain.
- #4 - 2019 Chevrolet Equinox.
First-generation Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup trucks came with standard power from a 6.0-liter V-8 gasoline engine with an optional 8.1-liter V-8 and a Duramax 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel available. The diesel-powered Duramax powerplant remained optional on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
Rated at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, the engine is significantly more powerful than any prior Duramax. General Motors blindsided Ford with the release of these figures, which were revealed shortly after Ford's 390 hp/735 lb-ft 6.7L Power Stroke became available.
#1 – Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
| Year | Average Miles Per Gallon |
|---|
| 2013 | 14.9 MPG |
| 2015 | 14.2 MPG |
| 2017 | 14.3 MPG |
| 2019 | 14.9 MPG |
Best Heavy-Duty Trucks
- 2020 Ram 2500. The Ram 2500, redesigned in 2019, remains one of the best choices in the heavy-duty pickup class.
- 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Though it can't match the Ram 2500's trick rear suspension, the F-250 Super Duty has just about as agreeable a ride.
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
