What is the Best Small Diesel Truck?

If you’re shopping for a new truck, one of the first things you need to decide is if you want a gas or diesel vehicle. There are pros and cons to both options. Trucks with gas engines are typically lighter, faster, and easier to maintain.

Trucks with diesel engines, however, are usually more fuel efficient and capable of towing and hauling more weight. Diesel trucks also tend to have longer lifespans than gas trucks. These are some of the many reasons why so many people choose diesel trucks over gas trucks.

Diesel trucks are usually bigger than gas trucks since they are used primarily for hauling and towing. But fortunately, it is possible to find a smaller-sized truck with a diesel engine. What is the best small diesel truck? Here are some of your best options:

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for over 40 years, so it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the best small diesel trucks.

If you plan on towing a significant amount of weight, the Ford F-150 might be the right diesel truck for you. The latest model has a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, which puts it at the head of its class.

The interior of the Ford F-150 isn’t as luxurious as some of its competitors, although it does come with an easy-to-use infotainment system. There are a number of other benefits to purchasing a Ford F-150, including the ability to choose from a handful of trim levels and available upgrades.

For example, you will need to choose between all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, three different bed lengths, and three different cabin styles. Having these options makes it easier to customize your Ford F-150 to fit your unique needs.

Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel

The Jeep Gladiator is one of the most unique diesel trucks on the market. It is designed with many of the same features as the Jeep Wrangler, including its signature removable roof and doors. The base model is built with a V6 engine, however you can upgrade to a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine.

Unlike many other diesel trucks, the Jeep Gladiator is designed with four doors and a short bed. Because it’s so similar to the Jeep Wrangler, the Gladiator is also built for off-roading adventures.

The Gladiator is one of the smallest diesel trucks available, so it’s towing capacity isn’t as high as some of its competitors. However, you can still safely tow up to 6,500 pounds with this vehicle. It’s also built with a backup camera with 4x zoom capabilities, which makes it easy to guide your hitch to the trailer you plan on towing.

Chevrolet Colorado Duramax

The Chevrolet Colorado Duramax is a mid-size truck, but it packs the power of a full-size truck. In fact, the Colorado Duramax has the most powerful diesel engine in its class. Its 2.8-liter Duramax turbo diesel four-cylinder engine produces up to 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

Because it has a powerful engine, the Colorado Duramax also has one of the highest towing capacities of all mid-size pickup trucks. You can safely tow up to 7,700 pounds when driving the Colorado Duramax with a diesel engine.

Unlike many other pickup trucks, the Colorado Duramax is also designed for off-roading adventures. Whether you’re driving through the city or over rough terrain, you will enjoy a smooth ride behind the wheel of your Colorado Duramax.

GMC Sierra 1500

The GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size truck with a roomy interior that comfortably seats up to six adults. If you purchase the GMC Sierra 1500, you can choose from a number of different powerful engines. To maximize the vehicle’s towing capacity, select the diesel engine, which allows the truck to safely tow up to 9,300 pounds.

The GMC Sierra 1500 has one of the most luxurious interiors of all full-size pickup trucks. It is designed with high-end materials and advanced features, including an easy-to-use infotainment system.

However, the GMC Sierra 1500 does not offer as many safety features as its competitors. The rear-view camera is the only safety feature that comes standard on the Sierra 1500. Other safety features, including lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection, are available on higher trim levels.

Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

Another great option is the Ram 1500, which is available with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine. This engine is capable of producing up to 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. It also increases the Ram 1500’s towing capacity to an impressive 12,750 pounds, which is one of the highest towing capacities in its class. Fortunately, this diesel engine is available on several different trim levels, including the base trim, so you won’t need to break the bank to upgrade.

Even though the Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup truck, it still gets fairly good gas mileage. You can expect to get around 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

Ford Super Duty

The F-150 isn’t the only Ford that you should consider if you are looking for a pickup truck with a diesel engine. The Ford Super Duty is another great option, especially if you need to tow a significant amount of weight.

Built with a 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine, this vehicle has a maximum towing capacity of 37,000 pounds, which is miles above its competitors. Its powerful engine also produces up to 475 horsepower and a whopping 1,050 pound-feet of torque.

The Ford Super Duty also comes with a wide range of safety features, including Pro Trailer Backup Assist™, which makes it easier to back up a trailer. All you need to do is rotate a knob located on the instrument panel to control the direction in which the trailer goes.

GMC Canyon Duramax

The GMC Canyon Duramax is another option for people who are looking for a reliable diesel truck. The base model comes with a standard four-cylinder engine, however upgrading to the diesel engine can increase your towing capacity substantially.

To maximize the vehicle’s towing capacity, choose a Canyon with the Duramax 2.8-liter four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and short bed. This style can safely tow up to 7,700 pounds.

The Canyon also comes with numerous safety features, including several that were designed specifically for people who plan on towing trailers. One of these is the Trailer Brake Controller, which gives the driver more control over the trailer’s brakes.

Nissan Titan XD

You should also consider the Nissan Titan XD if you are looking for a diesel truck. The Titan XD comes with a V8 engine, but you can upgrade to a turbocharged 5.0L V8 diesel, which is available on all trim levels. This powerful engine increases the Nissan Titan XD’s towing capacity to an impressive 12,710 pounds. It also produces up to 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque.

You can also choose between two different bed sizes and several additional bed options such as a spray-on bedliner, moveable tie downs, and a bed lighting system.

The interior of the Nissan Titan XD is not built with high-end materials like some of its competitors, but it does feature an intuitive infotainment system that will keep your passengers entertained throughout the ride.