The Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 are the mightiest hybrid trucks in the half-ton scene, using hybrid tech to deliver diesel-like advantages to drivers. Both the Ram 1500 with Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8 engines also include E-Torque mild-hybrid tech to improve response and efficiency. Diesel half-ton pickups aren't super popular these days, and just one automaker remains in this niche corner of the truck scene as the lone survivor of a short-lived diesel renaissance.As competitor models increasingly switched to turbocharged gas V6 engines and hybrid drivelines, GM stuck to its guns and continued to update and enhance its diesel straight-six offering even after key competitors had left the scene. The resulting engine powers the most efficient full-sized pickups you can buy today. Though hybrid and electric options are more prevalent than ever, some pickup shoppers just plain prefer their half-ton with a straight-up combustion engine, and in some cases, a diesel. Below, we'll see how GM's Duramax straight-six turbodiesel offering has been updated over the years, and where its latest efficiency and performance metrics position it within the broader torque and efficiency war. The Most Efficient Half-Ton Pickup Is A Diesel Chevrolet GMCIn 2018 and 2019, things were getting spicy in the diesel half-ton universe. Various Stellantis models had been on offer with diesel power for years by this point, and Ford and GM were after a piece of the pie. By 2019, each would have a diesel competitor engine, and Stellantis would respond with a heavy update and enhancement of their diesel V6 to a third-generation spec. Diesel Half-Ton Timeline 2018: Ford introduces the 3.0L Power Stroke V6 diesel in the F-150 2019: Launch of the GM 3.0L LM2 Duramax straight six turbodiesel in Silverado and Sierra 1500 2019: Ram introduces the third-generation 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (Gen 3) for the Ram 1500 2020: LM2 receives Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems Award, first full year of retail sales 2020: Gen 3 EcoDiesel becomes widely available across Ram 1500 trims 2021: GM rolls the LM2 into full-size SUVs, including Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade 2021: Ford announces discontinuation of the F-150 Power Stroke diesel, with final orders closing mid-year 2022: GM mid-cycle truck refresh and calibration updates for the LM2 2023: GM debuts the LZ0 next-generation Duramax with increased power and durability 2023: Final model year for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 2024: Second-generation LZ0 replaces the LM2 across all GM full-size SUV applications 2025: LZ0 expands to additional off-road trims, including Yukon AT4 2025+: GM becomes the only automaker still offering a modern light-duty diesel in half-ton trucks and full-size SUVs The diesel surge of the late 2010s wouldn't last. Advances in gas engine and turbocharging technology were getting less-complicated and more familiar powerplants closer than ever to diesel output and efficiency figures, with hybrid tech advancing things even more. Incoming emissions restrictions and a changing customer base led to reduced demand as turbocharged gas and hybrid options began to take hold.GMC Case in point? By 2021, Ford would axe its diesel V6 to make way for an incoming hybrid PowerBoost engine in the F-150 range, and Stellantis would pull its EcoDiesel engine range from production by the end of 2023. At GM, the Duramax straight-six turbodiesel engine soldiered on, launching a heavily updated, next-generation unit that same year. From 2024 onward, the Silverado and Sierra diesel would be the only diesel-powered offerings on the scene, and one of just two straight-six diesel engines remaining in the marketplace. Here's How It Stacks Up ChevroletThe Duramax is the MPG leader in the full-sized scene today, but it's far from your only thrifty option. Other engine choices include the long-running workhorse V8, a 5.3-liter small block with a strong reputation for reliability, an easy-to-service design, good overall performance and efficiency figures, and an annual fuel bill within $300 of the diesel.Based on 2026 model year data from the EPA, Chevy's diesel currently delivers the highest combined economy rating available in a full-sized truck at 25 MPG in two-wheel drive configurations. For context, that's three more miles from every gallon of fuel than a Ram 1500 V6 or Toyota Tundra Hybrid (22 MPG), and four more miles from every gallon than the base Hurricane 3-liter straight six turbo engine at 21 MPG combined, a figure also shared with the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier. Other trucks with a thirstier combined fuel economy rating include the Ford Ranger, Ford F-150 Hybrid and Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, all rated for 23 MPG combined.GMC From a dollars and cents perspective, expect an annual gas bill of $2,100 from the Silverado or Sierra with straight-six diesel power. That's basically a tie with the Pentastar V6 engine in the Ram 1500, despite delivering 226 lb-ft more torque. The 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder is another compelling pick. It's cheaper and offers more torque than the 5.3-liter V8, and its annual fuel bill is just $150 more than the diesel engine. This engine is the closest match to the Duramax straight six in terms of strong, low-rev torque output and turbocharged refinement. GMCDitto the Stellantis Hurricane and Ford EcoBoost engines, both of which are gas-fired but use high-compression, turbocharged setups to maximize low-end torque and all-around efficiency. If those are attributes of major importance to you, just be sure to consider an additional all-electric choice that's pretty compelling, too. This Electric Choice Has Even More Torque FordWe're talking about a slightly-used Ford F-150 Lightning. Though a Duramax-powered Silverado or Sierra is likely the better choice for drivers partaking in frequent long-distance towing or cold-weather touring, the F-150 Lightning serves up a major power, torque, and refinement advantage, can be juiced up in your driveway while you sleep, and never needs a DEF refill.Current second-hand pricing starts around $25,000 if you're after something well-used and basic, and stretches up to $70,000 or so for a nearly-new machine in a top trim grade. An electric truck may or may not be a worthy alternative to diesel for your specific use case, but some shoppers after big torque output and low running costs will find a used F-150 Lightning worthy of consideration. Whether you're buying new or used, both the diesel-powered GM pickups and Ford's electric-powered F-150 Lightning are feasible for the same spend. What Does A Half-Ton Duramax Cost Today? ChevroletAs the pickup truck market shifts to offer new powertrains and propulsion tech to an increasingly demanding shopper, the familiarity of the Duramax brand, and the diesel engine in general have become selling points on their own. The Duramax engine is earning a strong reputation among owners as a do-it-all solution that delivers top torque output, strong towing figures, and more miles per gallon than any other half-ton. ChevroletIf you're shopping brand new, the cheapest diesel-powered Silverado 1500 you'll find in 2026 is the Double Cab, Standard Bed LT 4x4 at $50,945 plus destination. For similar money, shoppers can look for a wider selection of virtually-new units with sub-100,000-mile odometer readings at higher trim grades. Expect to pay about $35,000 for a basic sub-25,000-mile LT or LTZ model, or a Trail Boss or High Country version with up to 110,000 miles for the same spend.ChevroletEarlier diesel-powered units with the first-generation engine can be had for under $20,000 with under 170,000 miles in a lower trim grade, or around 200,000 miles or higher for a top-trim unit. Finally, note the odometer mileage. At 150,000 or 200,000 miles, depending on the model year, a potentially pricey oil pump belt replacement is required. The owner's manual of the specific truck you're considering has the full scoop.Sources: EPA, Chevrolet.