One of the more popular features of many trucks from major manufacturers is the vast array of powertrain options—turbo-charged, EcoBoost, V6, V8, HEMI—the list goes on. Because drivers need trucks for a variety of applications, we do our best as a used truck dealer to carry pickups boasting all of these options. Pickup drivers usually know exactly what they’ll be doing with their trucks and where they’ll be driving. Some stay within town. Others live in barely-populated rural areas where the “nearest” job site is always far away. Some need to tow heavy equipment, while others are hauling light loads. There’s just no one powertrain that fits everybody.
One engine type, however, is the topic of plenty of deliberation among our customers, and that’s a diesel engine. A diesel engine will typically carry a substantially higher price tag than a gas-engine vehicle. So, many truck shoppers find themselves asking: Is it worth it? The answer really depends on what you need your pickup for. Here is what you need to know about used diesel trucks.
Better Mileage
If you need to travel long distances with your pickup truck, you’re probably familiar with large vehicles’ famously poor fuel economy. The trucker’s dilemma is as old as time: you need an engine that’s powerful enough to do big jobs at your destination, but that usually means a truck that gets low MPGs. Diesel engines provide a solution to that problem.
Diesel fuel, put simply, packs more actual energy per gallon than traditional gasoline. It’s why it costs more at the pump, but it’s also why it lasts much longer before you have to pull over and refuel. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy says that some diesel-powered vehicles can travel anywhere from 20 to 35 percent farther than gas-powered vehicles on the same amount of fuel.
If you need to put a lot of miles on your truck and you need great towing and hauling abilities, a diesel engine is probably a good choice for you. Plus, if you are shopping for used trucks, you can likely get a better deal than if you were buying a brand-new diesel truck. New diesel trucks are priced at a premium, but once you’re in the used truck market, there are many factors that could bring down the price of a vehicle, so you might get a great used diesel truck for much less than you’d expect.
Maximum Power. No Compromising.
Diesel engines are also the most powerful of the powertrain options. For reference, 2023’s Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 both have diesel engine options that tow a couple hundred more pounds than the available V8s for these models. While two or three hundred extra pounds might not seem like much, the mileage for diesel engines is much better than that of a V8. So you get all the power associated with hefty V8s (and then some), plus better fuel economy.
If you just don’t have a choice in your work and have to a) travel long distances and b) support heavy payloads and trailers, a diesel is the best way to go. It might cost a bit more upfront because of the engine type, but you will get a return on investment over time because of the fuel economy and because you’ll have the power to tackle large jobs.
Increased Longevity
Diesel engines are known to last longer than gas engine vehicles. Some of this is due to the nature of the engines themselves, which have fewer parts to break and are less complicated to repair than gas ones. In fact, some diesel trucks boast a cost of ownership that’s as much as $7,000 less over a five-year period compared to gas engine ones. Most gas-engine trucks are known to last roughly 200,000 miles. However, a properly maintained diesel engine can last up to 350,000 and sometimes even 500,000 miles.
When we run the numbers, we see that a diesel engine could last you twice as long as a gas-engine vehicle. However, it’s nowhere near twice as expensive. You do get a great return on investment when you opt for a diesel engine.
Slower Depreciation
Not only do diesel engines last longer, but they also depreciate more slowly. In fact, while all diesel vehicles depreciate more slowly than gas ones, diesel trucks specifically depreciate even more slowly than diesel cars. In three to five years after the initial purchase, a diesel engine car retains around 50 to 60 percent more of its value than a gas car; a diesel truck retains 60 to 70 percent more of its value than a gas truck. This slow depreciation is also great news for those who plan on switching out trucks every few years. If you buy a diesel truck that’s only a couple of years old and drive it for three years before re-selling it, you could potentially list it for a much higher price than you could a gas engine truck.
Which Trucks Have Great Diesel Engines?
If you’ve decided that a diesel truck is the way to go for you, there are several terrific options. At Parkway Chevrolet, we carry used Chevy trucks and used models from other top names. We would love to help you find the right one for your needs.
A 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 can have an optional 3.0L I-6 turbo-diesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. With the Chevy Durabed, this pickup’s bed area is ready for hard work and won’t show wear and tear easily. Its selectable drive modes make it perfect for those who travel over a range of terrain. Plus, this model even comes in an all-wheel drive configuration for those who need serious traction.
A 2019 Ram 1500 gets an optional 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine boasting 480 lb-ft of torque. It’s known for its spacious and comfortable cabin and advanced driver-assist features, making it great for longer trips.
A 2020 Ford F-150 gives you an available Power Stroke turbo-diesel V6 engine on lower trims. This is paired with an automatic 10-speed transmission for small steps between gears when pulling a trailer. The F-150 is also known for its generous suite of driver-assist features.
A 2020 Chevy Colorado will have an optional 2.8L turbo-diesel engine with excellent fuel economy. This midsize truck is perfect for those who need to drive in congested city environments and need more compressed dimensions while still needing power out of their pickup.
Find Your Next Diesel Engine Truck at Parkway Chevrolet
We can’t wait to get you behind the wheel of a used diesel truck that is right for your needs. These trucks are powerful and fuel-efficient, and we feel confident that you’ll be glad you made the choice to go diesel. We carry all the top names in trucks like Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Toyota, and Nissan. Our sales team has tons of knowledge on the specific features and capabilities of every model on our lot. They can help you determine which used pickup works for your needs.
Pickup truck drivers put their vehicles through a lot. You often depend on them to make a living and need to make careful, calculated decisions when purchasing your next model. We know that diesel engine trucks deliver significant value to our customers. Come check out our selection of used diesel trucks today.
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