The Pros and Cons of Opting for a Diesel Truck

Diesel trucks offer a lot of benefits over gas models, but they come with some compromises.

Chris O'Neill | 

Aug 30, 2024 | 4 min read

Chevrolet

If you're shopping for a new truck, you've potentially considered whether to opt for a diesel engine. When it comes to towing and hauling heavy loads, diesel trucks do have real advantages, but they come with drawbacks as well.

Chevrolet

Diesel Trucks Cost More Up Front Than Gas Versions

In recent years Ford, GMC, Chevrolet, Ram, and even Nissan have all dabbled in offering diesel engines in their light-duty, half-ton trucks, but as of 2024, Chevrolet and GMC are the only manufacturers still doing so. On the heavy-duty side, diesel offerings from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Ram are still going strong. This is likely to remain the case for years to come, given the ongoing need for heavy-duty trucks in many sectors.

Chevrolet

Diesel trucks tend to have a higher cost of entry than their gas counterparts. For example, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the most affordable new truck available with a diesel engine. At $52,000, it comes at a $13,000 premium over the gas-powered base model.

The Silverado's diesel engine isn't available on regular-cab models. On the other hand, buyers already interested in a mid-tier double-cab Silverado will pay less than $1,000 extra to jump from the comparable 5.3-liter V8 to the Duramax. The same goes for the Silverado's GMC counterpart, the Sierra.

Heavy-duty truck buyers typically will pay a much greater premium of about $10,000 to jump from gas to diesel, whether shopping Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, or Ram.

Ford

Diesels are More Fuel Efficient, but Other Costs Can Add Up

Another important consideration: Diesel fuel costs more than gas. As of April 1, 2024, the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was about $3.54, while diesel was around $4.02 per gallon. Don't forget about diesel exhaust fluid, commonly referred to as DEF, which is consumed at a rate of around 2% to 3% of fuel usage and needs to be refilled accordingly.

All that said, diesel trucks typically return better fuel economy than comparable gas models. The Silverado 1500 Duramax is rated for up to 23/29/26 mpg city/highway/combined, while the most efficient gas model, which comes fitted with the base turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder, tops out at 18/22/20 mpg in its most efficient configuration. Overall running costs will vary according to how the vehicle is used. The benefits of a diesel engine, in terms of both efficiency and performance, are typically realized when regularly towing and hauling.

Diesel engines are known to last longer than gas engines, primarily because they run at a lower RPM, or fewer revolutions per minute, which results in less wear and tear on components. That said, diesel engines require more oil, and because of modern regulations, they include more complex fuel and emissions systems than gas engines. This means oil changes and upkeep of these ancillary components can be expensive.

Diesel trucks usually come with the same, or better, powertrain warranties as their gas counterparts. For Chevrolet and GMC trucks, this is typically five years and 60,000 miles, while Ram and Ford heavy-duty trucks offer five years and 100,000 miles.

Ram

Torque Is What Gives Diesels an Edge When Hauling and Towing

The benefits of a diesel engine are generally the result of added torque. The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax diesel uses a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder putting out 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, while the Silverado's comparable 5.3-liter gas V8 makes 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft. That's 50 more horsepower, but torque is 112 lb-ft less. Additionally, the Duramax makes full torque at 1,500 rpm, while the 5.3-liter V8 does so at 4,100 rpm.

Although they generally perform better while towing and hauling thanks to their broad torque curves, half-ton diesel trucks don't necessarily have greater payload and towing capacities than gas alternatives. The main reason for this is weight; diesel engines typically weigh more.

In the case of the Silverado 1500, both the Duramax and 6.2-liter gasoline V8 trucks can tow up to 13,300 pounds, but the 6.2 reaches this figure with four-wheel drive, while the Duramax requires two-wheel drive. The disparity is similar for payload. The Silverado Duramax can haul up to 1,970 pounds, while a comparably configured 5.3-liter gas V8 Silverado is rated for 2,130 pounds — a 60-pound advantage.

This isn't the case with heavy-duty trucks, where the diesel typically offers the best towing and payload ratings by a wide margin.

Chris O'Neill

I am an auto-industry veteran and a current MBA candidate at the University of Utah. After moving to Utah in October 2015 and being fascinated by the unique car culture of the region, I started an Instagram project highlighting the rare and distinctive vehicles I see in the Mountain West region. I enjoy sharing with others my unique perspective and passion for all things automotive. In my free time, when I’m not thinking and writing about cars, I enjoy photography, toying with my 2011 Volkswagen GTI and 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser, and exploring Utah with my girlfriend and two dogs.