GMC Sierra Diesel Trucks: Reliability, Warranty, MPG, & More

Diesel-powered trucks have been around for decades and have provided an enhanced level of utility and efficiency over their gas-powered cousins. This is why consumers in the Minneapolis area have grown to love diesel-powered trucks, whether it be for their daily commute or as a hauler for cross state travel. With this in mind, our team at Walser Roseville Buick GMC is excited to share further information on our largest in-market GMC Sierra diesel truck inventory in Minnesota: Shop Now

Diesel vs Gas: The Benefits of Diesel

There are a multitude of benefits to choosing a diesel-powered truck over a traditional gas truck, and many truck buyers will face the question of whether or not a diesel truck is the right choice for their driving purposes. The most prominent benefit of choosing a diesel truck over a gas truck is the increased fuel efficiency, as GMC diesel trucks provide a better mpg which equates to overall fuel cost savings and less trips to the gas station. Diesel fuel is also widely available, so you can be worry free in finding a station to fill up your shiny new GMC Duramax diesel. You will also find your diesel-powered truck has increased fuel range, beyond just increased mpg, which is important as well for long-distance trips. This increases the appeal of diesel-powered pickup trucks for commercial use. On top of this, diesel engines produce far more torque than traditional gas engines, which in turn creates more towing capacity and gives you an increase in low-end power. Not every diesel engine is the same, but across the board diesel engines will last longer than traditional gas engines, as they are designed and machined to withstand more stress than your traditional gas engine.

2023 & 2024 GMC Sierra Diesel Overview

The Duramax Motor: History & Specs

The Duramax motor is an eight-cylinder engine that is part of a family of 6.6-liter diesel V8 engines produced by DMAX. DMAX is a subsidiary of General Motors that is wholly owned and based in Ohio. The Duramax motor was first seen in 2001 in Chevrolet and GMC trucks and has now been placed within far more vehicles in GMC’s lineup. The Duramax diesel engine is available in pickups, vans, and medium-duty trucks today.

GMC Sierra Diesel Model Lineup

• Sierra 1500 Diesel: The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 is the most common version of the Sierra you will see driving around the Minneapolis area. This is due to it being a light-duty pickup truck which is typically a good medium for consumers between utility and practicality. The GMC Sierra 1500 comes with a plethora of creature comforts while also offering best-in-class utility. The 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine that is packed into the 2024 Sierra 1500 cranks out a whopping 495 pound-feet of torque and can tow up to 13,300 pounds.
• Sierra 2500 Diesel & Sierra 3500 Diesel: Both the Sierra 2500 and 3500 are considered heavy-duty pickup trucks and offer even more utility than the Sierra 1500. The increased utility comes with a few considerations though, such as vehicle size. The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 offers a best-in-class towing capacity of up to 22,070 pounds, while the 3500 offers a staggering max towing capacity of up to 36,000 pounds. This is, once again, thanks to a Duramax diesel engine, this time a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel that pumps out 975 pound-feet of torque. On top of the raw power and capability of the GMC Sierra HD trucks, you get a host of creature comforts that make the Sierra diesel a great place to be, no matter what you are using it for.

GMC Sierra Diesel Pricing & Discounts

GMC Sierra Diesel trucks will vary in price depending on what additional options and features they are ordered from the factory with. However, when shopping at Walser Roseville Buick GMC, near Saint Paul, you will find all our Sierra LD and HD trucks are dealer discounted up to $5,000, not including additional conditional offers. This makes now an excellent time to buy a GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, or 3500. Click here to view our inventory and take advantage of our market leading discounts.

GMC Sierra Diesel Truck Warranty

Duramax Diesel Warranty

The Duramax diesel engine is an extremely capable, yet reliable, option for truck buyers in Minneapolis. GMC stands behind this with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty on all its Sierra pickup trucks. However, if you get a new Sierra that is powered by the Duramax turbo-diesel engine, you are covered for 5 years/100,000 miles.

Despite these strong manufacturer warranties, our team at Walser Roseville Buick GMC believes that our customers should feel safe and secure purchasing one of our vehicles. This is why we offer an additional, no-cost, 8-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on all new vehicle purchases. Having a strong warranty on a GMC Sierra Duramax diesel truck will ensure you do not lose sleep over worries about expensive repairs and can use the truck the way it was meant to be used. If you are interested in reading more about our complimentary WalserCare warranty, click here.

GMC Sierra Diesel Reliability

As noted above, GMC has been putting the Duramax diesel in select vehicles since 2001, and since then, has further refined this world-class engine. The Duramax diesel is reinforced in its construction to withstand the increased stress that comes with the high-power output it produces. This, in turn, means increased reliability and durability of the engine, and paired with our GMC Sierra WalserCare Warranty, you will have many miles of worry-free driving.

GMC Sierra Diesel Capability

GMC Sierra Duramax Diesel MPG

2024 GMC Sierra 1500 turbo diesel MPG: 24/29 mpg

2024 GMC Sierra 2500 & 3500 turbo diesel MPG:  no official mpg figure

GMC Sierra Duramax Diesel Towing Capacity

GMC Sierra 1500 diesel towing capacity: up to 13,300 pounds

GMC Sierra 2500 diesel towing capacity: up to 22,070 pounds

GMC Sierra 3500 diesel towing capacity: up to 36,000 pounds

Frequently Asked Questions

Do diesel trucks have catalytic converters?

Most modern trucks, including GMC Sierra trucks, have catalytic converters to meet emissions regulations, however, diesel catalytic converters operate differently than the ones found in gas-powered vehicles. Catalytic converters on diesel trucks are found between the engine and rear muffler and generally do not contain rhodium, which is one of the precious metals found in gasoline-powered vehicle catalytic converters.

Why do trucks use diesel?

Diesel is an excellent option for trucks to use as it increases the vehicle’s fuel range, fuel efficiency, power, and longevity. This is why almost every large truck on the road is diesel-powered, and why diesel has been a reliable fuel for trucks since the 1920s.

What is the most reliable diesel truck?

The GMC Duramax engine is renowned as one of the most reliable choices of diesel power by consumers. Although these numbers are not guaranteed, many Duramax owners report up to 300,000 miles without major repairs, and some report up to 500,000 miles with just regular maintenance. These numbers, although anecdotal, are genuine consumer testimonials regarding the Duramax engine’s reliability. On top of this, there is both the OEM GMC Sierra Diesel warranty and our additional WalserCare warranty to keep you covered after purchase, in the event of an unfortunate repair or breakdown.

Is a diesel truck a good daily driver?

A diesel truck can make a great daily driver, as long as it fits the utility needs that your day-to-day requires. Due to the outright size of the larger diesel trucks, these can make living in the city difficult. However, a good medium is the Sierra 1500 diesel as it has a smaller body size but retains the same increased capability and efficiency thanks to its turbo-diesel motor.

What are high miles for a diesel truck?

Due to the reinforced construction of diesel trucks, you can anticipate their engines to last sometimes over twice as long as their gas counterparts. These trucks tend to be more expensive initially than a traditional gas truck, but that cost is quickly recouped with the fuel and longevity savings associated with diesel trucks.

Interested in reading more about the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500? Click here!