2020 Ram 1500
$37,235 | Torque: 480 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 12,560 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 9.0/10
Our top-ranked full size pickup truck, the Ram 1500 combines excellent capability with a spacious and handsome interior, simple controls, and an exceptionally comfortable ride.
The Ram 1500 gets even better for 2020, with the availability of a 260-horsepower 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine. With a whopping 480 pound-feet of torque and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain is especially smooth and responsive for a diesel.
Towing capacity is a claimed class-leading 12,560 pounds. Fuel economy is an equally impressive EPA certified 32 mpg for rear-wheel-drive models, and 29 mpg highway with four-wheel drive. The EcoDiesel is available in all Ram 1500 models and configurations.
2019 Ford F-150
$44,660 | Torque: 440 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 11,400 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10
The best selling vehicle in America for decades, the Ford F-150 is also one of our top-ranked full size pickup trucks. Long on value, featuring a roomy and comfortable interior with an easy-to use infotainment system, the F-150 offers buyers a wide choice of trims, body and cab configurations and options.
Those choices were broadened in 2018 with the addition of a 3.0-liter, Power Stroke turbo diesel V6. With 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque, the diesel is matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
When properly equipped, the Power Stroke diesel boosts the F-150’s towing capacity to 11,400 pounds, while delivering an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$45,200 | Torque: 460 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 9,300 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 8.4/10
Following a complete redesign for 2019, the Silverado has been further improved for 2020 with a new 3.0-liter 277-horsepower V6 turbo-diesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic. The Silverado was already a good choice, with a good combination of ride and handling for a pickup, along with ample passenger room.
Among the diesel’s virtues is best in class fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated at 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway for rear-wheel-drive models. Four-wheel-drive diesels return an estimated 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The tradeoff is less towing capacity than competitors, at up to a still reasonable 9,300 pounds.
The turbodiesel is offered in mid-trim LT models and higher, which include the features most buyers want such as a 4.2-inch information display and semi-automatic climate control.
2020 GMC Sierra 1500
$45,770 | Torque: 460 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 9,000 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10
With a comfortable ride, spacious seats, and easy-to-use tech features, the GMC Sierra is an appealing choice among pickups. Like its near-twin, the Chevrolet Silverado, the slightly more upscale Sierra 1500 was completely redesigned for 2019 and is offered with a diesel engine for 2020.
Like the Silverado, the Sierra is available with a 3.0-liter 277-horsepower turbo-diesel V6, matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Offered in SLE and higher trims, the diesel is smooth and refined, with quick acceleration.
Fuel economy is not quite as good as the Silverado, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg highway for rear-wheel-drive models, and 22 city, 26 highway with four-wheel drive. Towing capacity is up to 9,000 pounds.
2020 GMC Canyon
$37,805 | Torque: 369 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 7.7/10
The GMC Canyon is a great choice for buyers who don’t need or want a full-size pickup truck, offering a nice interior, responsive handling, and plenty of available features. It’s also one of only two choices in the class available with a diesel engine – the other being the mechanically identical Chevrolet Colorado.
The 181-horsepower 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine pumps out a hefty 369 pound-feet of torque, providing more than enough grunt and an impressive 7,700 pounds of towing capacity. Fuel economy is also among the best in the class at an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
2020 Chevrolet Colorado
$36,615 | Torque: 369 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs. | USN Overall Score: 7.4/10
With the advantages of diesel capability and fuel economy in something smaller than a full size pickup, the Colorado offers a combination not available with any rival except the nearly identical GMC Canyon.
The diesel in question is a 181-horsepower 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and it returns an impressive 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, according to EPA estimates.
Better still, the diesel Colorado is rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds.
The Colorado also serves up a nice interior with plenty of standard and available features including easy-to use infotainment. Unlike a lot of other diesel trucks, it may even fit in your garage.
2020 Ram 2500/3500 HD
$45,190 (2500) | Torque: 1,000 lb-ft (3500) | Max Towing Capacity: 19,780 lbs. (2500); 35,100 lbs. (3500) | USN Overall Score: N/A
Make no mistake, the Ram 2500 and 3500 HD are serious trucks, meant for work and loaded with more capability than most casual buyers need. The 2500 is available with a 370-horsepower 6.7-liter six-cylinder turbo diesel packing 850 pound-feet of torque and up to 19,780 pounds of towing capacity. The 3500 takes things even further, squeezing 400- horsepower out of its 6.7-liter turbo diesel, along with a whopping 1,000 pound-feet of torque and as much as 35,100 pounds of towing capacity.
For all their brawn, these trucks are remarkably civilized and even luxurious inside. Available features include niceties like leather upholstery and real wood trim, and electronic safety aids like blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist.
Going diesel has its benefits, but at a premium of about $11,000 over a gasoline powered Ram 2500, it doesn’t come cheap.
2020 Ford Super Duty
$45,795 (F-250) | Torque: 1,050 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 35,000 lbs. | USN Overall Score: N/A
The Ford Super Duty nameplate is one of the longest running and best known names in heavy duty pickups, and it remains one of the most capable choices in the class.
Power has been increased for 2020, with a 475-horsepower 6.7-liter V8 diesel under the hood. That translates into an incredible 1,050 pound-feet of torque and more than 35,400 pounds of towing capacity depending on configuration.
As is the case with competitors, opting for a diesel engine will cost you. The Power Stroke diesel adds more than $11,000 to the price of an F-250 Super Duty. But as is also the case with other trucks, you can also tack on enough luxury features to make your Super Duty a more comfortable place to roll up the miles.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD
$48,260 (2500) | Torque: 910 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 35,500 lbs. (3500) | USN Overall Score: N/A
Redesigned for 2020, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD models are longer, wider, taller, and considerably stouter than the ones they replace. Virtually every component from the frame to the suspension and wheels has been beefed up.
The 6.6-liter Duramax diesel carries on, with 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to the upgrades underneath, towing capacity has been increased by 52%, to as much as 35,500 pounds.
New tech features include up to 15 different camera views to help with hauling and backing, and the cabin is larger with more creature comforts and tech features. Just keep in mind that opting for the Duramax diesel will add more than $11,000 to the cost of a Silverado 2500 HD.
2020 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD
$49,310 (2500) | Torque: 910 lb-ft | Max Towing Capacity: 35,500 lbs. (3500 HD) | USN Overall Score: N/A
The GMC Sierra HD models were treated to a complete redesign for 2020, and emerged larger and more capable as a result. Like their Chevrolet Silverado counterparts, the Sierra HD models were thoroughly strengthened with an upgraded frame and suspension components.
The result is a Sierra HD with up to 35,500 pounds of towing capability when ordered with the 445-horsepower 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine and its 910 pound-feet of torque.
To help with towing those big loads, the Sierra HD is available with a host of available special features, including up to 15 different camera views. One of those cameras even lets drivers see behind their trailer.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you were able to find a truck on this list that piques your interest, head over to our best lease deals and financing deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering.
You can compare trucks by perusing our best compact truck and best full-size truck rankings.
Once you’ve found the right vehicle for you, be sure to use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area offering the lowest prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of more than $3,000 off their new vehicle.
Best Diesel Trucks of 2020
- 2020 Ram 1500
- 2019 Ford F-150
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2020 GMC Canyon
- 2020 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2020 Ram 2500/3500 HD
- 2020 Ford Super Duty
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD
- 2020 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD
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See the Best Diesel Trucks on the Market
Diesel powered pickups have long been the choice for buyers in need of serious towing and hauling capability. With their abundant power and torque, diesels can usually get the job done while barely breaking a sweat.
Today’s diesels are more capable than ever, as manufacturers have upped the ante with ever increasing towing and payload capacities in an ongoing battle for bragging rights. Heavy duty pickups can typically tow as much as 35,000 pounds, and can carry similarly impressive loads.
For most homeowners or weekend project warriors, a heavy duty pickup would be overkill. But Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, and Ram now all offer half-ton pickups with the benefits of diesel power, including highway fuel-economy estimates close to or exceeding 30 mpg.
Whatever type of capability you’re looking for, you can find a diesel pickup for the job, loaded with car-like luxury features, and just as easy to drive – if not to fit in a garage. Here then, are the best diesel pickups of 2020.
Keep in mind that the scores you see may not match up with what is currently in our reviews. Our rankings change as we receive new information.