These days, it takes more than impressive capability, eye-pleasing styling, solid reliability and the latest tech features to make a leading pickup. It also takes efficiency at the pump, eking out as many miles as possible from each and every drop of fuel. And that’s exactly what the Chevy Silverado diesel offers, as highlighted in the following official Chevrolet video advertisement.
Continuing the Bow Tie brand’s famous (or perhaps infamous) “Real People Not Actors” ad campaign, this video opens at a gas station, where we find a number of pickup truck owners gassing up. Suddenly, a familiar face pops up on the pump screen, talking directly to the truck owners.
“Is fuel efficiency important to you?” the face asks. “What if I told you there’s a pickup that offers up to an EPA-estimated 33 mpg highway?”
Naturally, the man is talking about the Chevy Silverado diesel, which the other truck drivers are then persuaded to check out for themselves.
As pointed out in the video, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is offered with the optional 3.0L I6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax, which returns 23 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined when equipped with 2WD. When connected to 4WD, the same engine yields 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The LM2 connects to both drivetrain variants through the GM 10-speed automatic transmission.
Other engine options include the atmospheric 4.3L V8 LV3, the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B, the atmospheric 5.3L V8 L82 and L84, and the atmospheric 6.2L V8 L87.
Of all the engines on offer, the LM2 is the most fuel efficient, which isn’t all that surprising considering it’s a diesel. Also unsurprising is the atmospheric 6.2L V8 L87’s designation as the least-efficient engine when connected to 4WD, with 14 mpg city 18 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined when equipped in the Custom Trail Boss model.
Check out our complete 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Fuel Economy Comparison for more information, as well as our feature on the Silverado XFE Fuel Economy package to learn how to maximize fuel returns.
Would you opt for the Chevy Silverado diesel for its impressive fuel economy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The great mileage is why i ordered my 2020 LTZ 3.0 turbo diesel. The best i’ve had so far is 34.1 Pulled our travel trailer 27′ round trip 600+ miles this summer and fuel mileage was about 13.4. Not to bad for a t/trailer that weighs 4200 pounds. So far i’ve had really good luck w/mine and no major or minor issues.
My 20 Silverado RST Crew Cab 4×4 3.0 Duramax just covered 3129 miles with an calculated average of 35.01 mpg. 13 dpf regens with a average in between of 236 miles. Current tank is on par to even to increase that number by a considerable amount. Distance to empty on this tank is over 900 miles!!!! Great job GM!!!!
Yes I wish they would offer this engine in their 3/4 ton trucks
Wish the Trail Boss offered the 3.0. May be the final factor in going with the Ram Rebel with the 3.0.
It would provide an interesting option of a less powerful diesel in a heavier duty chassis for those that wanted that.
It wouldn’t be able to tow or haul for what that chassis is built for. Honestly what’s the point? Just buy a half ton.
There used to be a term “arduous duty”. Same work, hauling, towing, but the 3/4 ton can survive the abuse better. Is that not still the case?
33 mpg is negated when you figure in the higher cost of diesel. I’ll stick with a 26 mpg gas engine that is cheaper to fix.
I saw an update this week that GM is cutting the price on the 3.0 diesel by $1,500.00 and it’s ava/ in some of the lower end 1/2 ton trucks. To bad for me they didn’t do that 9/month’s ago. Oh well, i’m still very happy w/mine and good luck to all you other folks that will get this 3.0diesel. One other comment i have had more positive feedback from people that have seen my truck and didn’t know the 3.0 was ava. And they all liked how quite it is and the gas mileage. I think GM did a good job on this one.
Fine for a light duty truck that does not need the power or torque.
For a light 1/2 ton fine. Worthless for anything heavier. Why go with less HP and torque?
Chevrolet Silverado as it makes perfect sense as you get everything you might need in a truck, performance and power to haul massive loads of cargo and 33 mpg which beats even most smaller trucks powered by a four cylinder engine; additionally, you can find stations that sell diesel fuel as easy as a gas station.
The fuel economy is great, but the biggest drawback to the 3.0 diesel is the timing chain system. It’s on the back of the engine. Problems or service are going to be very expensive.
That is a terrible design! If they had to have it at the back why not go with a gear driven one.
Why doesn’t GM offer this 3.0D-Max in a 1/2 ton regular cab w/8′ bed? There are a few of us who don’t need all the doors..but DO need the above mentioned set-up.
Bought a 2020 RST Double cab with the Z71 package. Have towed my 4500# GulfStream RV and felt like it wasn’t even there. Lots of torque and rides smooth. Last trip 16.9 mpg round trip with the RV. Old Truck 2010 GMC Sierra Ext CAB 5.3L with Z71 the best mpg towing as 9.5mpg, best non towing was 19mpg. Everyday mileage runs from 27-33 depending on how heavy my foot is or traffic. No Problems so far and has 8200 miles on it. Towing my rv mileage was about what the sierra mpg was not towing. Perfect sized engine for the truck and the 10 speed shifts beautifully. A great upgrade from the gas engined truck which also was a really dependable truck as well.
A larger fuel tank would increase savings between discounted fuel stops …and also increases distance between fuel stops …less time spent pumping fuel.
Well I’m old enough to recall when there were a whole lot of 3/4 ton GM pickups that were sold with the old 292 inline 6. An engine far less powerful than the 3.0 Duramax. There are folks who want an economical engine in the tougher chassis, yeah they would probably push the engine a lot. I’d be curious to see if the Duramax could that the kind of abuse the old big straight 6 gas engine could.
Agreed, just not sure why GM for years cannot seem to offer the option of larger fuel tanks in extended and crew cab trucks. 26 gallons vs the 32 in the Ram or 36 in the Ford just not enough.
Ed its actually only a 24 gal tank. But I know the 24 gal nets me 800+mile tanks, Id still like a more capacity like yourself and others
Love diesels !!
I have the 2020 RST crew cab with Z71. Mileage is pretty good, but I can’t get better than 26 mpg, and that’s by going slower than traffic. Towing is decent, pulling a 25″ travel trailer weighing ~6000 lbs results in roughly 13 mpg. I live in PA so we have hills/mountains, which no doubt affects this, but I don’t know how some people are getting these crazy mpg numbers of 30+
Josh, i think your Z/comes w/a 3.42 rear end where as mine is the std/3.23. That and they say 29/hwy for 4wheel/drive vs 33/hwy for 2wheel/drive. Plus the 4×4 is heavier than the 2/wheel drive. jb
John I posted above and one of the 30+ MPG trucks. 20 RST crew cab 4×4 Actually 35.4 mpgs over 3921 miles. 15 regen with average 243 miles in between. Last tank was the best at 36.9 mile. 800 + tanks. In in theory I could of made it to 900 miles at tank. Not a flat-lander come from Northern NY. Ive been commuting 250miles a day to visit a family member in the hospital. 20 mile is interstate, rest is rural driving 30-65 mph. The truck since day one loves the rural driving aspect providing unheard of number for a full size 4×4 PU. I was expecting 30mpg when purchasing. My only advise to anyone reading this put the 50 mpg average display on. DO what ever you can to keep that little blue bar pegged right for as long as you can hold it there.
I would like to ask if anyone saw an article about switching on the sport mode for better driving sensitivity while pulling a trailer. I read that somewhere but now i can’t find it. Any of you guys & girls seen that article or pulled a trailer in that mode? jb