Back in the day, you could only find diesel engines in heavy-duty trucks. Now, you can find them in full-size light-duty GMC, Chevy, and Dodge pickup trucks.
If you’re thinking of getting one, choosing the best light-duty pickup truck depends on what you want to use it for. Our favorites are listed below.
1. 2022 GMC Canyon
General Motors makes good vehicles, and the GMC Canyon is no exception. It is one of the best light-duty diesel trucks if you need one that boasts comfort and a lot of torque.
The diesel engine is worth looking into. It is a 2.8-liter turbodiesel backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. It puts out 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, which is great for towing up to 7,700 pounds.
The engine gets 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. But that drops to 19 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively, if you go with the four-wheel drive.
It is limited to the crew cab versions but available on all trim levels except the base trim level.
2. 2022 Chevrolet Colorado
Another compact truck, the Colorado is just like the GMC Canyon but has its own styling. You can order it with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine that makes 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
As with the Canyon, the Colorado has a six-speed automatic transmission. It comes standard as a rear-wheel drive truck, but you can order it with four-wheel drive.
The Colorado can also tow up to 7,700 pounds and gets 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. It is also restricted to crew cab models.
You can order the turbodiesel with all trim levels except the WT model. You can also order it with a 5-foot or 6-foot bed.
3. 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
If the compact truck is too small for what you need, consider the 2022 Silverado 1500. These full-size, light-duty diesel trucks feature a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbodiesel engine backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The combination puts out 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque—plenty to tow up to 13,300 pounds. The tow rating is among the highest for full-size, light-duty pickup trucks.
Four-wheel drive is available as an option. This Silverado has several trim levels, including the Basic and, for ultimate luxury, the Conqueror. It comes in regular, extended cab, and crew cab models.
4. 2022 Ram 1500
The full-size Ram 1500 was the top-rated truck in U.S. News. You can order it with a 260-horsepower V6 engine that gives you 480 pound-feet of torque. It’ll tow up to 12,560 pounds.
You can order the diesel engine in all trim levels except the Tradesman HFE (base model) and the TRX (top trim level). It gets 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Ram designed the truck with a “big rig” look on the front. As always, it has an upscale cabin that is very comfortable for long road trips.
You can order the Ram 1500 with an extended quad cab with a 6.4-foot bed or a crew cab with a 5.7-foot bed. A rearview camera is standard, though you can order many other driver-assistance features.
5. 2022 GMC Sierra
The GMC Sierra 1500 is like the Silverado. However, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel comes standard in the Denali Ultimate and AT4 trim levels. It is available for the SLE, SLT, Elevation, and Denali trim levels.
A 10-speed automatic transmission backs the engine, and a four-wheel drive is optional. It can tow up to 13,200 pounds and gets 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
You can choose 5.8, 6.6, and 8.1-foot beds depending on the cab configuration. It also features Super Cruise hands-free driving as an option.
Contact RDI Power for Light-Duty Truck & Diesel Repair in Brooksville, FL
No matter which diesel truck you choose, it will always need regular maintenance and repair. Things wear out. No matter how great the diesel truck is, you’ll always have to replace brakes, suspension parts, belts, hoses, and other wear-and-tear items,
At RDI Power in Brooksville, FL, we work on diesel trucks, including light-duty trucks. We have certified auto technicians to take care of your truck and get you back on the road again. We provide every need you have, from an oil change to major engine repair.
Contact RDI Power in Brooksville, FL for an appointment. Or direct the tow truck to drop your vehicle off if it breaks down.
