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Which Diesel Pickup Trucks Get the Best Fuel Mileage?

Shopping for a diesel pickup truck and curious which model offers the best fuel mileage? Then we’ve got some good news for you. According to the EPA, there are multiple diesel-powered pickup trucks capable of delivering some pretty impressive fuel economy ratings. Do diesel pickup trucks get better fuel mileage? According to research from Car …

Shopping for a diesel pickup truck and curious which model offers the best fuel mileage? Then we’ve got some good news for you. According to the EPA, there are multiple diesel-powered pickup trucks capable of delivering some pretty impressive fuel economy ratings.

2021 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel parked
2021 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel | Ram

Do diesel pickup trucks get better fuel mileage?

According to research from Car and Driver, diesel-powered pickup trucks tend to be more fuel-efficient than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Car and Driver reports that’s because diesel fuel packs more energy into every gallon than gasoline fuel does. Diesel powered pickups also offer more torque, which Car and Driver reports results in better fuel economy ratings and more impressive acceleration.

Which diesel pickup truck has the best fuel economy ratings?

But of all the diesel-powered pickups out there, which one offers the best fuel economy ratings? Well, according to the EPA, that honor goes to the 2021 Chevy Silverado. When equipped with a 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 engine and two-wheel drive, the Chevy Silverado delivers an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Upgrade to a Silverado with four-wheel drive and those numbers do drop to an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. 

These trucks know how to make the most out of every gallon too

But the 2021 Chevy Silverado isn’t the only diesel-powered pickup truck that knows how to make the most out of every gallon. Following closely behind the Chevy Silverado is the 2021 Ram 1500. 

Opt for a Ram 1500 with its available 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine under the hood and the EPA says that you can expect it to deliver an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Upgrade to a Ram 1500 with all-wheel drive and those ratings shift to an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

And if the Ram 1500 isn’t quite your style? Consider the GMC Sierra, another fuel-efficient diesel pickup truck. This year’s GMC Sierra is available with a 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 engine that the EPA says is capable of an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Opt for a four-wheel drive model and the GMC Sierra is able to achieve 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Fortunately, the Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500, and the GMC Sierra aren’t your only options if you’re on the hunt for a fuel-efficient diesel pickup truck. According to the EPA, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator makes for another fuel-efficient pick, as does the diesel-powered Ford F-150.

Should you buy a diesel pickup truck?

There are plenty of reasons to buy a diesel pickup truck and better fuel economy ratings are just one of the many. But before making your final decision? We recommend putting these diesel trucks to the test. Head to your local dealership, take one out for a spin and find out how fuel-efficient it is for yourself.

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