Here’s the Cheapest Pickup Truck With a Diesel Engine Available in 2023
Major changes are shaking up the pickup truck segment. After supply chain problems, most manufacturers added thousands to their 2023 MSRPs. In addition, many automakers have deleted diesel engine options from their midsize pickups and half-ton trucks. As a result, the cheapest diesel pickup truck you can buy in 2023 is the Jeep Gladiator. Hot on its heels is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT.
Jeep makes a diesel pickup truck!?
In a shocking twist, Jeep makes the cheapest diesel pickup truck on the market. You can order the 2023 Jeep Gladiator truck with Jeep’s 3.0-liter “EcoDiesel” V6, which was initially engineered for the Ram 1500. The lowest trim with this engine option is the retro-themed Willys Sport, and it will run you at least $47,240.
Though the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s sales never went gangbusters, the automaker continued refining the powerplant for three generations. Ram has cut the option from its pickup trucks, but the EcoDiesel lives on in the Jeep Gladiator. It makes 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. It comes with an eight-speed automatic and a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The gasoline version can pull up to 7,650 pounds.
The Gladiator rides on a stretched Wrangler chassis. This means every Gladiator has a solid front axle, 4WD, and a full four-door cab. While the Jeep truck has a comparatively high MSRP, it is priced competitively with half-ton trucks upgraded with the above options.
General Motors makes the last half-ton diesel truck
Just the other year, you could order a half-ton pickup truck with an efficient turbodiesel from any of the Detroit Three. But Ford and Ram have killed their light diesels, so the GMC Sierra 1500/Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the last diesel half-ton left.
GM’s light diesel is a 3.0-liter turbocharged “Duramax” I6. You can get this engine in SUVs and trucks made by GMC or Chevy. Your cheapest option is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT. Optioned with the Duramax, it starts at $54,635.
Chevy’s 3.0-liter I6 makes 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. GM pairs this engine with a 10-speed automatic. In the Silverado/Sierra 1500, it can tow up to 9,500 pounds.
Which heavy-duty diesel pickup truck is the cheapest?
Heavy-duty pickup trucks have surprisingly low MSRPs. But their diesel engine options can cost $10k. The most inexpensive one is the Ford F-250 Super Duty with its 6.7-liter PowerStroke, which will set you back $55,860.
The F-250 Super Duty’s base MSRP is $43,970, but the 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel V8 costs $9,995 more. Ford currently has a $1,895 destination charge. So the diesel F-250’s net cost will be at least $55,860.
The Chevrolet Silverado Heavy-Duty has a 6.6-liter gas V8 ($45,295 MSRP) or a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel V8. The heavy-duty Chevy with a diesel engine starts at $55,910. That’s right, a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with a diesel only costs $1,275 more than a Chevy half-ton diesel.
Ram’s heavy-duty trucks start at $45,475 for the 3/4-ton 2500. Diesel fans can opt for the 6.7-liter Cummins I6, which runs $9,695. So the cheapest diesel Ram currently starts at a $57,165 net total.
Next, find out why your diesel pickup truck is future-proof, or see the Gladiator EcoDiesel reviewed in the video below:
