It’s a Great Time to Drive a Diesel Truck

December 18th, 2020 by

A red 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel is driving on a highway past evergreen trees.

Diesel trucks are the perfect solution for a driver in the market for a vehicle with both power and efficiency. When you combine the benefits of a diesel truck with the quality of a legendary brand like Chevy, the results are nothing short of incredible. So, if you have found yourself searching online for “Chevy diesel trucks for sale near me,” then it is time to pay a visit to DePaula Chevrolet. We offer a wide range of Chevy trucks, including those with diesel powertrains.

Although Chevy has been producing diesel variants of select models for quite some time, for 2021, every model in the Chevy catalog will offer an optional diesel powertrain. These trucks with available diesel engines are the Colorado, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500HD, and Silverado 3500HD. This gives you a wide range of options to select the perfect diesel truck for your needs, whether that is an agile midsize vehicle, a versatile half-ton pickup, or a powerful heavy-duty model. But which model is right for your needs?

What Diesel Engines Are Available?

Starting with the 2021 Colorado, the available diesel powertrain is a 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel that produces 181 hp and an impressive 369 lb-ft of torque. To put the raw power of this engine into consideration, its 369 lb-ft of torque is roughly 34% higher than the 275 lb-ft of torque produced by the optional V6 gasoline engine. Because of this increase in torque, this engine allows the 2021 Colorado to tow up to 7,700 lbs compared to the 7,000 lbs limit of the aforementioned V6. With 7,700 lbs of max towing capacity to work with, you can tow the likes of small trailers and lake boats with ease. In addition to this increase in towing prowess, this diesel engine has impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 20 MPG city and 30 highway with the standard RWD configuration. Ultimately, the 2021 Chevy Colorado is a perfect starting point for those looking to drive a new diesel truck.

The Silverado lineup consists of 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD, all of which feature diesel powertrains. However, the Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD share a more powerful engine, while the Silverado 1500 gets a separate one. When purchasing the Silverado 1500, you’ll have the choice of going for a 3.0L Duramax I-6 Turbo-Diesel engine with the ability to produce 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be fitted on a vast majority of trims and comes paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission for a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 lbs. Much like the diesel engine in the Chevy Colorado, this engine offers excellent efficiency despite its massive power, with EPA-estimated ratings of 23 MPG city and 33 MPG highway. Those looking for the perfect middle ground between entry-level towing and the master class that is the Silverado HD lineup cannot go wrong with a diesel Silverado 1500.

Bringing the Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD in for comparison, these vehicles can be equipped with a sizable 6.6L Duramax V8 Turbo-Diesel. Compared to the Silverado 1500 and the Colorado lineups, the Silverado HD is an entirely different beast indeed. Equipping your Silverado HD with this engine means your truck will produce 445 hp and a massive 910 lb-ft of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. For Chevy trucks, it just doesn’t get much better than this as Silverado HD models that are fitted with this engine along with the necessary trailering packages can tow up to an immense 36,000 lbs. This towing power is unseen in any other Chevy truck, and the diesel V8 is the reason that such a number can be achieved.

A black 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500 is towing a large camper on a highway.

What Cargo Beds Are Available?

Although towing is a great way of bringing along larger cargo, a pickup truck’s bed is still a necessary piece of the puzzle. Fortunately, all of Chevy’s diesel trucks feature generously sized beds for all of your cargo needs. Firstly, the size of your bed on the 2021 Colorado is dependent on which cab size you opt for. The extended cab comes with a 74-inch bed that provides almost 50 cubic feet of cargo space. Meanwhile, the available crew cab also offers a 61.7-inch bed with 41 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the Chevy Colorado supports a maximum payload capacity of 1,510 lbs, which is important to keep in mind when loading such large pickup beds.

The 2021 Silverado 1500 offers more choices in regards to cab type and bed size. For example, choosing the crew cab means you’ll have the choice of either a 69.9-inch or 79.4-inch long bed, which translates to 63 or 72 cubic feet of cargo space. Should you opt for the double cab, you’ll be restricted to the same 79.4-inch long bed. However, the Silverado 1500 also offers a regular cab that comes equipped with a long 98.2-inch bed. This choice provides a best-in-class maximum available cargo capacity of 89.1 cubic feet and a maximum payload of 2,280 lbs. Overall, the Silverado 1500 again becomes the perfect middle ground between the Silverado HD and Colorado.

With the Silverado HD, the bed options are either an 82.3-inch standard bed or a 98.3-inch long bed. These provide almost 70 cubic feet or 84 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Both Silverado HD models can be optioned with the long bed for all three cab configurations or combine the standard bed with the crew cab. The Silverado 2500 HD offers the additional option of a standard bed with the double cab. Overall, a properly fitted Silverado HD can hold a maximum payload of up to 6,532 lbs, which will enable you to handle virtually any hauling task with ease.

A blue Chevy diesel truck for sale near you driving on highway

Where To Buy Your Chevy Diesel Truck Today

At DePaula Chevy, we’re committed to supplying our customers with the very best Chevy vehicles at competitive prices. Our commitment to helping all of our customers has earned us the status as one of the top-rated Chevy dealerships in our part of the country. Among our inventory, you’ll find all of the fan-favorites, including Chevy trucks with diesel engines. From the Colorado to the Silverado 3500HD, we can show you exactly what the latest Chevy diesel trucks are capable of.

Once you visit our dealership, we’ll work with you to figure out what your aspirations are for your next vehicle, and one of our knowledgeable sales representatives will help you find the perfect choice for your personal needs. Whether you are in the market for a new Chevy vehicle, or maybe even a pre-owned one, we’ve got you covered. Our services also go far beyond sales as our certified on-site service center provides stellar vehicle servicing by our skilled technicians.

Buying a vehicle can be stressful for some drivers, but at DePaula Chevrolet, you will discover a true stress-free buying experience. From choosing a vehicle to finding financing, our friendly staff is here to help you through every step of the process. We’re located at 785 Central Ave, Albany, NY, right by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and across from the AutoZone parts store. We look forward to assisting you in finding the perfect diesel truck for you by a brand as trustworthy as Chevy.