The 3 Cheapest New Diesel Pickup Trucks You Can Buy Today
Not everyone wants a diesel pickup truck. That said, for those that do there are actually a pretty nice list of choices. In fact, not all of the options are pickup trucks. For those that do, these are the three cheapest new diesel pickup trucks you can buy in 2021.
The 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
According to Car and Driver, the 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel starts at $39,285. This new diesel pickup truck boasts “best-in-class” towing capability of 12,560 lbs. Under the hood is a 3.0 liter EcoDiesel V6. This engine creates up to 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.
This is quite the economical pickup truck, all things considered. While towing anything will obviously bring these numbers down, U.S. News and World Report says the 2021 Ram 1500 with a diesel engine gets up to 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
One notable feature on the Ram 1500 diesel pickup truck is that it is equipped with a system that will check the integrity of your trailer lights. Pretty nifty, especially if you have experience with towing and know how this step can so easily be overlooked before jumping in the driver’s seat and hauling away.
The work truck mood of the 2021 Ram 1500 is called the Tradesman trim. It’s particularly worth mentioning here that the EcoDiesel can be had in several trims, including this entry-level option. That’s one of the reasons the Ram 1500 makes it onto this list of the cheapest new diesel pickup trucks you can buy today.
The 2021 Chevy Colorado
This Chevrolet midsize pickup truck is a one of only three pickup trucks in the compact segment that offers a diesel engine. It also happens to be one of the cheapest new diesel pickup trucks you can buy in 2021. Due to its smaller size, the 2021 Chevy Colorado comes significantly cheaper than the full-size Chevrolet Silverado.
This truck can tow up to 7,700 lbs when equipped with a diesel engine. In fact, the 2021 Chevy Colorado has a max towing capacity that is less than 2,000 lbs lighter than its full-size sibling. For those that don’t mind a smaller truck, this one offers diesel power at a much lower cost ($37,810, according to C/D) than the Chevrolet Silverado’s starting price over $43 grand.
Redesigned for 2021, the Colorado has a fresh exterior. It also has an infotainment system that Chevrolet updated for the 2020 model year. The 2.8 liter Duramax turbodiesel four-cylinder engine generates up to 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with the diesel engine, the Colorado gets about 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
“The Duramax (diesel engine) is also great for off-roading, providing plenty of low-end torque in a relatively lightweight engine.”
The 2021 GMC Canyon
This truck mirrors its corporate sibling, Colorado. Also crafted by GM and powered by the same 2.8 liter turbodiesel, the 2021 GMC Canyon also has the same capability as its Chevy sister truck. The 2021 GMC Canyon starts at $39,325.
This truck also tows 7,700 lbs and gets about 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. It’s marketed as a “premium” compact pickup truck, as its pricing reflects. However, it’s still one of the cheapest new diesel pickup trucks you can buy today.
Maybe you are sold on the mechanics of the GM trucks, but prefer the style of the GMC Canyon. In this case, you’ll end up paying a little more. That said, this truck does have some cool integrated features like a trailer brake control system.
This is a feature that allows for fine-tuning of the trailer braking strength. There’s also a diesel exhaust brake that is a braking game-changer for going downhill.
The cheapest new diesel pickup trucks of 2021
While these may not necessarily be the best options out there for everyone’s needs, these three trucks are the cheapest new diesel pickup trucks you can buy in 2021. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, the 2021 GMC Canyon, and the 2021 Ram 1500 all offer diesel power at a lower price than the rest.
If your budget is tight and you’ve got to have a diesel truck, you may want to go check one of these models out. There is also a runner up––the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, starting at just under $40 grand according to U.S. News.
