During the Investor Day presentation, GM President Mark Reuss touted the success of the Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups powered by the 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine compared to their closest rival from the Blue Oval, the Ford F-150 with the PowerBoost hybrid V6. Reuss says GM is beating Ford in this arena in both efficiency and sales numbers.
“The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra equipped with our 3.0-liter diesel are more affordable than the F-150 Hybrid and get better fuel economy at 27 to 30 miles per gallon highway while running on less expensive fuel,” Reuss boasted. “And by the way, we sold more diesel pickups this year than Ford has sold hybrid pickups.”
Reuss was slightly off when he said the diesel Silverado/Sierra can get up to 30 mpg on the highway. The official EPA rating is up to 26 mpg highway with 4WD and 29 mpg highway with RWD. For comparison, the 4WD-only hybrid F-150 is rated at 22 city/24 highway/23 combined mpg.
| Trim Level | Engine | Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 2WD | 23 | 29 | 26 |
| All | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 4WD | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 4WD | 21 | 24 | 23 |
| ZR2 | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 4WD | 20 | 23 | 21 |
| All | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 2WD | 18 | 21 | 19 |
| All | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 4WD | 17 | 20 | 18 |
| All | 5.3L V8 L84 | 2WD | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| All | 5.3L V8 L84 | 4WD | 16 | 19 | 17 |
| All | 6.2L V8 L87 | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | 5.3L V8 L84 | 4WD | 15 | 19 | 17 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 4WD | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | 6.2L V8 L87 | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 |
| ZR2 | 6.2L V8 L87 | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 |
| Trim Level | Engine | Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 2WD | 23 | 29 | 26 |
| All | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 4WD | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 4WD | 21 | 24 | 23 |
| AT4X | Turbo-Diesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 | 4WD | 19 | 20 | 19 |
| All | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 2WD | 18 | 21 | 19 |
| All | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 4WD | 17 | 19 | 18 |
| All | 5.3L V8 L84 | 2WD | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| All | 5.3L V8 L84 | 4WD | 15 | 19 | 17 |
| All | 6.2L V8 L87 | 4WD | 15 | 19 | 16 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | 5.3L V8 L84 | 4WD | 15 | 19 | 17 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 4WD | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| All with Mud-Terrain Tires | 6.2L V8 L87 | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 |
| AT4X | 6.2L V8 L87 | 4WD | 14 | 16 | 15 |
It’s true that the diesel-powered Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 have higher fuel economy ratings than the hybrid Ford F-150, but in their most efficient forms, they have identical estimated annual fuel costs from the EPA. Another thing to keep in mind is that the F-150 has standard four-wheel drive when opting for the PowerBoost hybrid powertrain, and the Ford has lower estimated fuel costs than a Duramax-powered full-size GM pickup with 4WD.
On the point of affordability, there’s no questioning Reuss’s claim that GM has the advantage. The most affordable hybrid F-150 you can configure comes in at right around the $60k mark since the lowest trim where the hybrid engine is available is the XLT SuperCrew.
Meanwhile, it’s possible to get a Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Double Cab with a diesel engine and RWD for only about $53k. Since diesel-powered Chevy Silverado 1500 units are turning so fast on dealer lots due to a lack of direct competition, Chevy is planning a far higher diesel engine mix for the 2025 model year.
Comments
I would rebut the claim that they are not as efficient on the highway as an owner of one of these magnificent engines. If you are highway driving in an urban area i.e. Chicago I have gotten 40 mpg consistently going 75 mph. Its only on the open freeway where the average slips down to where the EPA says it is. I regularly get 30 mpg on the highway most of the time.
Agree. I also have a GMC with the LZ0 engines and get outstanding mileage.
EPA just lies cause it’s a diesel. Simple as that
Remember the first word in diesel is “die”.
Have a 2020 Silverado 1500 with the 3.0. On the open roads/Highways 30-33 mpg, around town 25-27 mpg. The EPA must have tested during a hurricane with head winds. Great motor and transmission, pulls my 27′ Airstream with ease and up to 19mpg. No hybrid needed here.
It is in the EPA’s best interest to downplay the mileage numbers for these engines.
“Only 53k for an LT”
Let that sink in……
My brother loves his baby Duramax, he has a ’21, and tells me he gets mid to high 20’s for fuel mileage. He’s not an old lady driver either. That’s outstanding when you take into account the size, comfort and capability you get with it.
My 2019 Silverado 5.3L average 18mpg. Amazing truck
Am old enough to remember the 6.2L diesel engine that came out in the early 1980’s and the converted 350 gasoline engine that were converted to diesel. Those were not some of GM’s “better ideas” as the Ford slogan said.
I had one of the f150 3.0 great engine good mileage
I think ford made mistake killing it
I have a 22 Silerado and a 24 Suburban that are equipped with the 3.0 Duramax. The Silverado easily gets 30mpg, and I have achieved 36.6 mpg if I baby it on the highway (ie 55-60 mph). It is am amazing engine.