Diesel or Gasoline: What Type of Truck Is Right for Your Needs?

Many people think of diesel engines as something exclusive to the commercial and heavy-duty truck market. However, they have become increasingly present in pickups and everyday vehicles, too. Diesel engines account for roughly 13% of all pickup truck sales, and it is increasingly easy to find a diesel option when shopping for a used pickup. Many popular used truck models, including the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, Jeep Gladiator, and Ram 1500, are available with a diesel engine.

Here at The Faricy Boys, we have many used trucks for sale with diesel engines and traditional gasoline engines. We’re often asked which engine is better for a truck. However, the truth is that, as with many other components on a vehicle, one engine type is not objectively better than the other in all conditions. There are benefits to both diesel and gas engines, and which you should get depends on what you’ll be using it for. To help you make the right choice, let’s look at how these engines operate and which has the edge in various situations.

Diesel vs Gasoline: How an Engine Works

First, we need to understand a little about the workings of each engine. Diesel and gasoline are both types of internal combustion engines (ICEs) that use an air and fuel mixture compressed by the cylinders. Igniting the mixture generates power to set the pistons and crankshaft in motion; this power then goes to the drivetrain, eventually reaching the axles and wheels.

The difference lies in how the air-fuel mix is ignited. Gas engines have spark plugs that, as their name suggests, emit sparks to ignite the mixture. Diesel engines use very high cylinder compression levels to create enough heat for the mixture to combust spontaneously.

Benefits of Diesel Engines

If you’ve never had a diesel pickup before, is it worth the switch? There are a lot of good reasons to switch to diesel for your truck—and maybe even your passenger car, depending on the type of driving you do.

• Diesel engines get better fuel mileage than gas engines of similar sizes. For example, the Duramax 3.0L turbo-diesel engine in the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 gets an EPA-estimated 31 MPG on the highway, while the TurboMax 2.7L gas engine can only muster 22 MPG on the highway. You’ll have to stop for fuel less often, meaning more time on the road.
• These engines also generate a lot more torque. The Duramax 3.0L six-cylinder engine in GM half-ton trucks delivers up to 495 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the manufacturer’s 6.2L V8 engine. As such, diesel engines are great for towing and off-roading adventures.
• Diesel-powered engines are more durable than gas engines. They’re built with stronger components to handle the high compression ratios, and they don’t have as many parts. This means less frequent maintenance and fewer things that can break, reducing your total operating costs.
• Diesel vehicles hold their value much better. According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, the resale value of diesel heavy-duty pickups is 60-70% higher after three years than equivalent gasoline models. This is excellent if you are frequently changing vehicles based on personal or business needs.

Benefits of Gasoline Engines

On the other hand, you shouldn’t shun gas engines just yet. These traditional options still have plenty of advantages when it comes to shopping for used trucks.

• Gas engines offer a lot more power than diesel engines. Going back to the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, the TurboMax 2.7L gas engine has 310 hp while the Duramax 3.0L diesel engine has 277 hp. This is better if you want a more “fun” driving experience.
• Regular gasoline prices tend to be lower than diesel prices. If you do a lot of city driving where the difference in fuel mileage isn’t as big, the fuel savings may not be enough to offset the higher costs. Gas prices also don’t fluctuate as much, so fuel expenses will be more consistent for budgeting purposes.
• Gas pickups cost significantly less upfront than diesel pickups. Even with used vehicles, the difference can be several thousand dollars if all other components are equal, meaning you can afford more truck for your budget if you go the gasoline route. Insurance, taxes, and even registration fees on diesel trucks also usually cost more.
• Although you may need maintenance and repairs more often, they usually cost less. Gas engines don’t require as many specialty parts, and it’s easier to find a mechanic trained to work on them—or do your own maintenance if you prefer. There isn’t as much sticker shock with a gas power plant.
• There are a lot more options when buying a gas-engine vehicle. It’s common for many used trucks to have a handful of gas engine choices and only one diesel engine choice—and some popular trucks like the Toyota Tacoma have never been available with diesel power. Buying a gasoline model can let you get a truck that has the right amount of horsepower and torque rather than something that’s “close enough.”

Which Truck Engine Should I Get?

As we said earlier, how you’ll be using your truck dictates what engine you should choose. Let’s go over some common situations and decide which engine is more appropriate for them.

• If you mostly drive your truck at highway speeds, you may want to lean toward a diesel truck for its excellent fuel economy.
• If you mainly drive at lower speeds in the city or on back roads, a gas truck may be better because of lower fuel costs.
• If you live and work in areas with a lot of steep hills, you can benefit from the higher torque of a diesel truck.
• People who tow heavy loads or enjoy rock-crawling and overlanding will appreciate the increased torque of a diesel engine to get them up to speed.
• If you have a limited budget or are more focused on other areas like comfort features, infotainment technology, and driver assistance, gasoline trucks will give you more options.
• Shoppers who have a higher budget or don’t need a lot of extras may prefer the greater reliability of a diesel truck.
• Anyone who likes a sportier truck for dune bashing or driving aggressively will likely enjoy the added horsepower of gasoline engines.
• Drivers who don’t care as much about the driving experience or need a more work-oriented truck will often find a diesel truck to be a better fit.
• A gas engine often offers more customization options, both for initial engine choices and DIY customization, since it’s simpler to work on.

Find a Great Used Truck at The Faricy Boys

Do you still have questions about choosing a diesel or gasoline pickup truck? Visit The Faricy Boys or reach out to our team by phone or email. As the leading truck experts in Colorado for over 80 years, we’re happy to answer any questions you have about truck engines.

Once you’ve decided on an engine type, we have many pre-owned trucks available in all different shapes and sizes from a wide variety of leading automakers. With no-haggle pricing, excellent trade-in values, and easy financing, everyone gets a great deal on their next truck. Our service team is also certified to work on all major gasoline and diesel pickups, and with Vehicle Protection plans that offer up to 150,000 miles of coverage, we always have your back if something goes wrong.