Torque THIS: Car and Driver Drives the Silverado 1500 Duramax Diesel

Diesel used to be the fuel type of choice for heavy haulers and American pickup truck buyers, but it has largely fallen out of favor outside of heavy-duty truck lines. General Motors is the last automaker standing with a full-size diesel half-ton truck option, as Ford discontinued the Power Stroke diesel option for the F-150 and Ram stopped offering the EcoDiesel in the Ram 1500. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 continue offering diesel options as we head into 2025, so let’s get rolling to see what makes them tick. 

GM updated the Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine in 2023, improving its fuel delivery and internals. That yielded a power bump to 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, up from 277 horsepower and 460 pounds of torque. A ten-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear or all four wheels. 

Unlike the loud, clanky diesels of the past, the Duramax used in GM’s full-size half-ton trucks is surprisingly quiet and refined. Even under heavy throttle, the engine’s fury is mostly contained, but it still delivers a pleasing turbo whine. The diesel torque makes the truck feel quicker than its gas-powered counterparts, too, and many have found it to be more responsive at highway speeds, making passing much easier. Fuel economy is a significant benefit of opting for the Duramax. It offers up to 30 mpg in real-world testing, a notable boost over the available gas engines.  

The Sierra and Silverado are available with three other engines. The base mill is a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder making 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Buyers can opt for a 5.3-liter V8 in some configurations, which makes 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and at the top of the range sits the 6.2-liter V8, making 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.  

Beyond their compelling powertrains, the latest GM full-size half-ton trucks have plenty of luxury and tech to offer. Standard features for the Custom trim include a 7.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. Higher trims add a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 13.4-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, HD radio, multiple USB ports, and more. GM recently updated the truck’s infotainment interface with Google Built-In, which brings several Google-powered features, including the Play Store, Google Assistant, Maps, and more.  

If you want to learn more about the latest diesel offerings from Chevrolet or GMC, Dieffenbach GM Superstore should be your first stop. We’d be excited to walk you through the trucks’ features, take a test drive, or order the new GM pickup of your dreams.