Should Your Next Pickup Truck be Diesel or Gas-Powered?
Should Your Next Pickup Truck be Diesel or Gas-Powered?
Posted on July 30, 2021
If you are in the market for a new pickup truck, you have probably noticed that there many options to choose from. And while it may be tough deciding which advanced features you will use, another hard decision will be figuring out if you want a gas or diesel engine. There are pros and cons to each choice. Here is a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of both options.
Advantages of Diesel Engines
Diesel pickup trucks come in all shapes and sizes. Currently, there are several pickup models that offer a diesel engine including the Ram 1500, the Ram 3500, the Chevy Silverado 1500, the Chevy Colorado, and the GMC Sierra 1500, just to name a few.
Some of the advantages to choosing a diesel engine include:
- Longer Lasting. Diesel engines usually have fewer moving parts than gas-powered engines. Because of this, diesel engines have the tendency to travel longer distances without needing to be maintained or repaired.
- Better Fuel Economy. You may have noticed that you will have to pay a little more for diesel fuel. However, when you consider the fact that, on average, a diesel engine gets better fuel economy ratings than the gas-powered engine, you will see that in the long run, it is actually slightly cheaper to fuel a diesel engine.
- Better Torque. Diesel engines usually provide more torque than gas-powered engines. And better torque means better towing capacity.
Disadvantages of a Diesel Engine
A diesel pickup truck may be made to be more durable and powerful, but those more rugged parts will end up costing you in the long run. On average, you will spend about $5,000 to $10,000 more when you purchase a diesel pickup truck than you would if you were to buy a gas-powered pickup truck.
Advantages of a Gas Engine
Gas pickup trucks have definitely become the more popular choice over the years. Some of the advantages to driving a gas-powered truck include:
- Less Expensive to Maintain. Gas engines are slightly more complex than diesel engines. However, because these types of engines are more common, they are usually less expensive to maintain and repair.
- Convenience at the Pumps. Because gas-powered engines are more common, there are usually more gasoline pumps available.
- Better Horsepower. Diesel trucks may have more torque, but a gas-powered engine usually provides more horsepower. And the greater the horsepower, the faster the truck is able to go.
Disadvantages of a Gas Truck
Gas pickup trucks have the ability to go faster than diesel trucks. However, the higher horsepower could mean that the engine is burning through the fuel at a higher rate. If you are looking for a fuel-efficient truck, the gas-powered engine is probably not going to the right choice for you.
Conclusion
There are advantages and disadvantages to owning a gas and diesel truck. On the one hand, you should choose a gas pickup if you are looking for a fast truck that is easy to maintain. However, if it is power and towing capability that you are looking for, the diesel truck may be the right choice for you.