Diesel trucks are more fuel efficient than gasoline powered engines. They use high compression ratios to extract more energy from the fuel while burning it more completely than gasoline trucks. Going with a diesel truck can help you save money at the pump. You can go about 20% to 30% farther on a single gallon of gas. Fuel prices have been higher than normal throughout the summer, thanks to pent-up demand and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient diesel pickup truck, going with the newest make and model doesn’t always make the most sense. You can save money by buying used. Some older trucks come with excellent fuel efficiency without the exorbitant price tag. Learn about some of the best used diesels on the market today to keep your expenses to a minimum.
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 4.3L V6
The 2018 GMC is meant to appeal to diesel heads that don’t feel like burning through 14 miles per gallon. It gets an impressive 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 20 mpg, which makes it one of the most fuel-efficient diesels from the last several years. It comes with a luxurious interior with all the girth and power of a major towing machine. It gets up to 280 horsepower and can tow up to 7,100 pounds. It may not be the most powerful diesel on the market, but going with a less powerful truck will save you money on fuel.
2018 Toyota Tacoma SR5
The Toyota Tacoma from 2018 is a sporty pick-up with a desirable fuel efficiency rating that will make any driver rethink their preferences. It gets up to 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, giving it a slight edge over the competition. Like many of the trucks on this list, the Tacoma isn’t known for its power, but it still can tow up to 6,400 pounds with up to 278 horsepower. You also won’t find as many bells and whistles on the inside. The interior is fairly standard for a pick-up, but it performs well in an off-road environment, helping you reach new destinations with ease.Source: Kevin Tichenor/ shutterstock.com
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid
Over ten years old and still going strong, the Chevrolet Silverado has a special place in the hearts of many diesel lovers. It combines all of your favorite features into a compact, reliable piece of machinery that will serve you well for years to come. The Silverado is remembered as one of the greatest of all time, but previous models would only get up to 15 mpg on the highway, which isn’t exactly ideal. The 2012 hybrid model comes with a combined rating of 22 mpg. It comes with a powerful 6.0L V8 engine and over 379 horsepower, and it can tow up to 6,100 pounds.
2016 Chevy Colorado 2.8L Diesel
The Chevy Colorado is a mid-size diesel truck that’s a lot more powerful than anyone expected. The 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel only comes with four cylinders but it can produce up to 369 horsepower and tow up to 7,000 pounds. It uses the Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorber (CPVA) as the torque converter, which produces a smooth ride through and through. It gets up to 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 20 mpg.
It’s one of the most flexible pick-ups on the market. You can use it to run errands, explore off-road destinations and do some heavy hauling without breaking a sweat. Consider finding a four-wheel drive Colorado with the $3,905 premium upgrade. It increases the towing capacity by 600 pounds and improves the fuel economy substantially. Expect to get up to 28 mpg on the highway with the 4WD upgrade. It’s worth every cent.
It was considered the cleanest diesel truck engine ever produced by General Motors when it first hit the market in 2015. It uses an exhaust gas recirculation cooler to reduce NOx emissions. The cooler tends to fill up with dirt and grime pretty fast, so you will need to replace your EGR coolers on a regular basis to keep your engine from overheating. 
Ford F-250 7.3
Head back even further through time to take advantage of the immense power of a Powerstroke 7.3 engine. These older models are just as capable as modern diesel engines, but they feature a simpler design that will make them easier to maintain. It can traverse thousands of miles without running into issues. There isn’t a lot of reliable fuel efficiency data on the 7.3 F-250, but experts say it comes with a combined rating of up to 14.82 mpg. It’s considered a beast on the road as well. The stock version produced up to 205 horsepower at 2,600 rpm and 432 lb.-ft of torque at 2,200 rpm.
Big block engines are making a comeback, but consider going with a model from the 1990s or early 2000s to save money.
You will run into small problems behind the wheel. The injection control pressure (ICP) sensor on the 7.3 Powerstroke is known to fail, which can lead to a sudden loss of power and poor fuel efficiency. Replace the ICP sensor for the 7.3 to keep your engine going strong.
Timeless Durability
Diesel trucks are known for their durability. You can buy a used diesel pick-up without worrying about it falling apart. You may have to replace some parts and components over time, but it’s usually nothing a skilled mechanic can’t fix. Find a diesel part supplier online to get replacement parts delivered to your front door.
