Ask TFL: Should I Buy Gas or Diesel? 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 or a 3.0L I6 Duramax?

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4

Which 2020 Silverado 1500 engine is best for towing a 4,000 lbs, commuting, and an occasional long road trip? Is it the new 6.2-liter gas V8 or a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel I6?

Here is the question from John T.

John T. writes: “I’m looking at leasing another truck to replace my 2017 Ram 1500 with a 5.7 Hemi that I am currently leasing and the end of lease is coming up. I’m considering the 2020 Chevy Silverado 4×4 Crew Cab LTZ with the 6.2L or the 3.0 Duramax. The difference in price between these is negligible. I’m also considering a 2020 Ram 1500 4×4 Crew Cab Big Horn with the 3.0 EcoDiesel. Every other week during the summer I pull my 7×18′ V-nosed enclosed trailer with a 6’6″ interior height. The weight is about 4,000 lbs including contents. The distance I pull mostly is about 70 miles each way but once a year I will pull it about 1,200 miles each way. Which truck would you recommend?

Since both of these engines cost the same (as an option) for the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 truck, and you are planning to tow not much more than 4,000 lbs – I would go with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel I6.

The new 3.0-liter straight six is a very good new engine, based on all of the testing that we have performed so far. It’s powerful, and it delivers the power in a nice linear fashion. It will not be as quick as a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 or a 6.2-liter GM V8, but it has nice turbo punch off the line. The acceleration continues nicely beyond 45 mph. This engine is also very efficient and quiet.

The 6.2-liter V8 is also a very good engine, but it does require premium gasoline for optimum performance. Also, I would take the GM 3.0-liter diesel over the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel in the Ram 1500.