Top 10 Diesel Pickups 2021

Diesel Is Back and Ready for Work or Play

Diesel is making a comeback. Sounds weird at a time when electric and hybrid vehicles are making headlines, right? Well, the latest drivetrain and exhaust-cleaning technologies have made diesel engines a more viable option. They offer plenty of torque for towing, and often return impressive fuel economy ratings. Diesel engines have been a constant in heavy-duty trucks for decades, but now these “oil-burners” are being offered in light-duty and even small trucks. In the following slides, we’ll take you through all the latest diesel engine offerings in the truck market, including their price and capabilities. The maximum towing capacity noted for each truck is specifically for the diesel version. In some cases, the gas engine offering might have a higher towing capacity. Still, these diesel engine options provide a fantastic blend of low-end power and fuel economy. Read on to learn more about these torque-heavy trucks.

2021 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax

$36,615 | Torque: 369 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 7.1/10

The Chevrolet Colorado has been updated for the 2021 model year. The main difference is the exterior has received a mild freshening. Inside, the infotainment system that was updated in 2020 carries over to 2021. It is easy to use, and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The drivetrains have carried over as well for 2021. This includes the available 2.8-liter Duramax turbo diesel four-cylinder engine. It makes 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine in the Crew Cab, Short Bed LT trim with rear-wheel drive returns the best towing capacity for the Colorado. The Duramax is also great for off-roading, providing plenty of low-end torque in a relatively lightweight engine.

2021 GMC Canyon Duramax

$38,130 | Torque: 369 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 7.1/10

Like its Colorado corporate cousin, the Canyon has received some styling updates for the 2021 model year, bringing it visually more in-line with the recently redesigned GMC Sierra 1500. The best towing comes in the Elevation Crew Cab Short Bed with rear-wheel drive and the Duramax 2.8-liter four-cylinder. Like its Chevy counterpart, this engine makes 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

The Canyon comes with an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, which allows the driver to dial in the trailer’s braking power. The available Diesel Exhaust Brake lets the driver use the diesel drivetrain to shoulder some of the braking while going downhill. This takes the load off your brakes in these critical situations.

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax

$45,100 | Torque: 460 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 9,300 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 7.6/10

The GMC Sierra 1500 blends comfort and capability, with a smooth ride and a spacious, hushed cabin. It features a sensible control layout, capped off by a user-friendly infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sierra is available with a 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbo diesel engine, sending 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

If you plan on towing with this engine, select the SLE Double Cab with the standard bed and four-wheel drive. This combination is good for 9,300 pounds of towing. The Sierra is available with Hitch View and Electric Parking Brake Assist. These two features allow you to perfectly line up to a trailer hitch and will even let you know when to shift into park.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax

$43,620 | Torque: 460 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 9,500 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10

The Chevrolet Silverado has plenty of cabin space, especially in the crew cab model. For 2020, the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine became available. It puts 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine is optimized for towing in the LT Double Cab trim with the standard bed and four-wheel drive.

The Silverado has a number of features to get the most out of towing with the diesel engine. In addition to a tow/haul mode on the shifter, the Silverado comes with Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control, and an anti-theft system for the trailer. It also comes with a system that automatically compensates for the grade of the road while braking.

2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

$38,535 | Torque: 480 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 12,560 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10

The Ram 1500 is a truck built with everyday life in mind. Its on-road driving characteristics are among the best in class, and the cabin quality is truly impressive for a pickup truck. It is available with Ram’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. It generates 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. The Ram also returns as much as 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. This truck is also available with a clever system that will automatically check all your trailer lights for the driver.

This diesel engine is available on multiple trims, including the base Tradesman trim. The Tradesman is a no-nonsense work truck with minimal frills, but plenty of capability.

2021 Ford F-150 Power Stroke

$43,415 | Torque: 440 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 12,100 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 9.1/10

The fully redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 is our top-ranked full size pickup truck. It’s also available with the 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel V6. This engine makes 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. Selecting this engine in the XL SuperCab or SuperCrew with the Max Towing Package and four-wheel drive unlocks the maximum towing capacity of 12,100 pounds.

The F-150 comes equipped with features to make towing safer, such as the standard trailer sway control and standard hill start assist. The F-150 is also available with the Pro Trailer Backup Assist. It allows the driver to “steer” the trailer in reverse using a dial in the dash. This takes the often-counterintuitive steering inputs out of the driver’s hands.

2021 Ram 2500/3500 HD

$52,930 | Torque: 1,075 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 37,100 lbs. | USN Overall Score: N/A

The Ram Heavy Duty has a big-rig-inspired presence. It comes standard with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and is available with a Cummins 6.7-liter turbo-diesel inline-six. In the 2500, the latter engine makes 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to tow up to 19,680 pounds.

Move up to the 3500, and you can get a high-output version of the Cummins diesel engine. It pumps out 420 horsepower and an incredible 1,075 pound-feet of torque. Unlocking the full 37,100 pounds of towing requires a specific configuration of the Ram 3500 Tradesman. You’ll need to select the regular cab with the 8-foot bed, rear-wheel drive, and gooseneck trailer prep.

2021 Ford Super Duty

$50,410 | Torque: 1,050 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 37,000 lbs. | USN Overall Score: N/A

The Ford Super Duty is renowned as a worksite workhorse. Much of that reputation comes from its Power Stroke diesel engines. In the 2021 Super Duty trucks, the 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 makes 475 horsepower and an absurd 1,050 pound-feet of torque. In the single-cab version of the F-450 truck with rear-wheel drive, it can tow up to a whopping 37,000 lbs when properly equipped.

The Super Duty series of pickups come with a host of standard and available innovations for towing. The Smart Trailer Tow Connector checks the status of the trailer lights and trailer battery, and the Trailer Reverse Guidance uses three integrated cameras to provide a close-up view of the hitch as you back it up to the trailer. You can also opt for the same Pro Trailer Backup Assist as the F-150.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD

$50,380 | Torque: 910 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 36,000 lbs. | USN Overall Score: N/A

The Chevrolet Silverado HD announces its arrival with imposing proportions. Behind that massive grille is one of two engine choices; a 6.6-liter gas-fueled V8 or a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8. The latter makes 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque.

Hitting the maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds requires selecting this engine in the Silverado 3500 Regular Cab Work Truck trim with the long bed, dual rear wheels, rear-wheel drive, and the gooseneck trailer prep.

2021 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD

$51,705 | Torque: 910 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 36,000 lbs. | USN Overall Score: N/A

The GMC Sierra HD pickup truck series have the same engine offerings as the Silverado HD. It also requires a similarly specific configuration to achieve its 36,000-pound towing capacity.

The Sierra HD is available with the helpful In-Vehicle Trailering App. Operated through the infotainment touch screen, this system allows the driver to monitor the trailer connections, receive trailer tire pressure status updates, and perform a lighting test on the trailer. This feature is also available in the Silverado HD.

• 2021 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax: $36,615 | Torque: 369 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs.
• 2021 GMC Canyon Duramax: $38,130 | Torque: 369 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs.
• 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax: $45,100 | Torque: 460 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 9,300 lbs.
• 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax: $43,620 | Torque: 460 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 9,500 lbs.
• 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel: $38,535 | Torque: 480 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 12,560 lbs.
• 2021 Ford F-150 Power Stroke: $43,415 | Torque: 440 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 12,100 lbs.
• 2021 Ram 1500/2500 HD: $52,930 | Torque: 1,075 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 37,100 lbs.
• 2021 Ford Super Duty: $50,410 | Torque: 1,050 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 37,000 lbs.
• 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD: $50,380 | Torque: 910 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 36,000 lbs.
• 2021 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD: $51,705 | Torque: 910 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 36,000 lbs