Fuel efficiency isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when looking for a pickup truck.
The nature of these vehicles pretty much guarantees that you’re going to get lousy gas mileage. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for the most gas-guzzling truck on the market.
In fact, there are plenty of fuel-efficient diesel truck models for sale. Diesel engines make for greater durability and better miles-per-gallon ratings, and this translates into serious fuel efficiency for diesel trucks.
So, without further ado, let’s check out some of the most efficient diesel trucks on the market.
1. Jeep Gladiator Diesel
The Jeep Gladiator Diesel is without question one of the most fuel-efficient diesel trucks on the market today.
For one thing, the Gladiator rates 22 mpg for city driving, but gets an impressive 28 mpg for highway driving. That’s not too bad for a diesel truck, and besides, the Jeep Gladiator has many other features to offer. It’s one of the most popular new Jeep offerings, combining all the beloved features of the classic brand with the heft of a truck.
The version you’ll want features a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder, eight-speed automatic diesel engine, for the best fuel efficiency.
2. GMC Canyon Diesel
GMC is one of the most popular heavy-duty truck brands available, and it’s easy to see why. These trucks have a long and proven track record, and trucking around in one of these puppies is a pure delight.
GMC also produces one of the more efficient diesel trucks out there. City driving isn’t great, with 20 mpg, but that improves dramatically with highway driving, at 30 mpg. For the discriminating truck owner, the two-wheel drive, four-cylinder, automatic six-speed Canyon Diesel is a great choice.
3. Dodge Ram 1500 Diesel
Dodge has always been known for its popular trucks, and the Ram 1500 Diesel is no exception.
The available 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 packs some serious heft. It carries a 12,560-pound tow rating, with 480 pound-feet of torque, and comes in at a combined 26 mpg. The breakdown is 22 mpg for city driving, and 32 mpg for highway driving.
That’s not bad for a diesel engine, and it bests the Ford F-150 Hybrid’s rating and equals the GM’s diesel trucks for fuel efficiency. So it’s easy to see why the Dodge Ram 1500 Diesel is popular with truck owners who are committed to the diesel lifestyle.
4. GMC Sierra 1500 Diesel
The Sierra 1500 Diesel is another entrant from GMC, and it certainly has a lot going for it.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Sierra rates a combined 26 mpg, which equals the Ram 1500 Diesel. However, as a result of its big, hulking front configuration, the Sierra only rates a 30 mpg highway rating, which is a little less efficient than the Ram.
But it has other features, including a fantastic towing safety package, a multi-function tailgate, and a towing capacity of 13,100 pounds. That’s not bad at all for the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine, which is optional at $2,390.
5. Chevrolet Colorado Diesel
The Chevy Colorado is another high-performance, fuel-efficient diesel truck that’s very popular with truck owners.
The best-performing variant is the 2.5-liter, two-wheel drive, four-cylinder, six-speed automatic, which gets slightly better mileage than the four-wheel drive version. The combined rating is 26 mpg, mirroring the GMC Canyon with 20 mpg city driving and 30 mpg highway driving.
Chevrolet also offers a roomier, more rugged off-road extended-cab ZR2 and ZR2 Bison models of the Colorado, but these versions cause the fuel-efficiency to plummet dramatically.
In any case, if you’re interested in the Colorado Diesel, you’d better act quickly—Chevrolet plans to stop offering that option with the new, redesigned Colorado in 2023.
6. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a spectacular truck, and its diesel version isn’t too shabby either.
As a $2,390 add-on, the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six is an attractive option for diesel-lovers, and it even includes an upgrade this year. With the proper configuration, the diesel engine has an uprated towing capacity of 13,300 pounds, which beats the hefty Sierra 1500 Diesel.
It also puts the Silverado in a class of its own, with the most towing power of any half-ton diesel truck. As far as fuel economy is concerned, the Silverado Diesel isn’t bad at all, with an impressive combined 26 mpg.
7. Ford Super Duty F-350 Diesel
The Ford F-350 is in a class by itself, and as a diesel truck it’s among the very best.
For one thing, the Super Duty version is a big increase over the capabilities of the standard F-150. Its powerful diesel engine may not be as fuel efficient as the other offerings on our list, but its impressive heft more than makes up for it. With a towing capacity of up to 35,750 pounds, and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, the diesel Super Duty F-350 can get just about any job done.
This diesel truck also comes in a number of different trims, and features tech amenities that are among the best and most comprehensive on the market. If you’re willing to sacrifice a little fuel efficiency for more powerful trucking, the Super Duty F-350 is the perfect diesel truck for you.
Keep Your Diesel Truck in Tip-Top Condition
If you’re looking for fuel efficiency in a pickup truck, you can’t do any better than a diesel truck.
And once you’ve found the diesel truck that fits the bill, it’s important to have a repair shop on hand that knows how to service diesel engines and trucks. Taking your diesel truck to a mechanic without the proper diesel know-how is a recipe for disaster.
So contact the pros at Diesel Performance Specialist for your diesel truck needs, or check out the rest of our blog for more tips and advice on diesel engine care and maintenance. We have the expertise to get your truck back up and running in no time.
