2016 Diesel Pickup Guide

Available 2016 Model Year Full & Midsize Diesel Pickups

The GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado, and Nissan Titan XD join the sector with available diesel options for the 2016 model year. Returning are the GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Super Duty, and the Ram 1500/2500/3500. Ram continues to strive in the categories of available torque (optional 6.7L H.O. Cummins) and maximum tow capacity (Ram 3500 HD), although the Ford F-450 comes in a close second. The Chevrolet/GMC HD platform, although capturing fewer titles than its competitors for 2016, remains a versatile and attractive platform, particularly in the 3/4 ton category.

Note - All ratings and capacities for gasoline equipped trucks have been omitted from the following specs and comparisons. For more information on gasoline powered pickups, please refer to the manufacturer's model specific webpage.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado

2016 Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon

Engine 2.8L Duramax LWN inline 4 cylinder
Peak Horsepower 181 hp @ 3,400 rpm
Peak Torque 369 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
Transmission GM 6L50 six speed automatic
Max GVWR 6,000 lbs (4x2), 6,200 lbs (4x4)
Max GCWR 12,700 lbs
Max Payload 1,508 lbs
Max Conventional Tow 7,700 lbs
Max 5th Wheel Tow N/A, vehicle not equipped for 5th wheel tow capability
EPA Rated Fuel Economy up to 22 city, 31 hwy mpg (4x2 models)
Powertrain Warranty 5 year/60,000 mile
Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

2016 Ram 1500

Engine 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6
Peak Horsepower 240 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Peak Torque 420 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
Transmission ZF 8HP70 'TorqueFlite 8' eight speed automatic
Max GVWR 6,950 lbs
Max GCWR 14,750 lbs
Max Payload 1,600 lbs
Max Conventional Tow 9,210 lbs (3.92 axle, reg cab, 8' bed, 4x2)
Max 5th Wheel Tow 9,210 lbs (3.92 axle, reg cab, 8' bed, 4x2)
EPA Rated Fuel Economy up to 29 hwy, 21 city mpg (4x2 HFE model)
Powertrain Warranty 5 year/100,000 mile
2016 Nissan Titan XD

2016 Nissan Titan XD

Engine Cummins ISV5.0 V-8
Peak Horsepower 310 hp @ 3,200 rpm
Peak Torque 555 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission Aisin A466ND six speed automatic
Max GVWR 8,990 lbs (4x4 S, SL, SV, & PRO-4X models)
Max GCWR N/A
Max Payload 2,091 lbs (4x2 S model)
Max Conventional Tow 12,314 lbs (4x2 S model)
Max 5th Wheel Tow 11,827 lbs (4x2 SV model)
EPA Rated Fuel Economy N/A - fuel economy not rated by EPA
Powertrain Warranty 5 year/100,000 mile
2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD

2016 GMC Sierra & Chevy Silverado 2500HD/3500HD

Model Sierra/Silverado 2500 HD Sierra/Silverado 3500 HD
Engine 6.6L Duramax LML V-8 6.6L Duramax LML V-8
Peak Horsepower 397 hp @ 3,000 rpm 397 hp @ 3,000 rpm
Peak Torque 765 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 765 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission Allison 1000 six speed automatic Allison 1000 six speed automatic
Max GVWR 10,000 lbs 13,025 lbs
Max GCWR 25,100 lbs 31,100 lbs
Max Payload 3,275 lbs 5,587 lbs**
Max Conventional Tow 14,500 lbs* 20,000 lbs**
Max 5th Wheel Tow 18,000 lbs* 23,200 lbs**
Powertrain Warranty 5 year/100,00 miles 5 year/100,00 miles

* Regular cab, 8' bed, 4x2 models w/ 3.73 rear axle
** Regular cab, 8' bed, DRW, 4x4 models w/ 3.73 rear axle

2016 Ford Super Duty

2016 Ford F-250/F-350/F-450 Super Duty

Model F-250 Super Duty F-350 Super Duty F-450 Super Duty [1]
Engine 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V-8 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V-8 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel V-8
Peak Horsepower 440 hp @ 2,800 rpm 440 hp @ 2,800 rpm 440 hp @ 2,800 rpm
Peak Torque 860 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 860 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 860 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission Ford TorqShift six speed automatic Ford TorqShift six speed automatic Ford TorqShift six speed automatic
Max GVWR 10,000 lbs 14,000 lbs 14,000 lbs
Max GCWR 23,500 lbs 35,000 lbs 40,400 lbs
Max Payload 3,115 lbs [2] 6,682 lbs [5] 5,300 lbs
Max Conventional Tow 14,000 lbs [3] 19,000 lbs 19,000 lbs
Max 5th Wheel Tow 16,300 lbs [4] 26,500 lbs [6] 31,200 lbs
Powertrain Warranty 5 year/100,00 miles 5 year/100,00 miles 5 year/100,00 miles

[1] - Ford F-450 only available in Crew Cab 4x4 configuration w/ 4.30 axles
[2] - Regular cab, 8' bed, 4x2 models
[3] - SuperCab and Crew Cab 4x2 & 4x4 models w/ either 3.31 or 3.55 axle
[4] - SuperCab 4x2 models w/ 3.55 axle
[5] - Regular cab, 8' bed, DRW, 4x2 models
[6] - Crew Cab, DRW, 4x4 models w/ 4.30 axle

2016 Ram 3500HD

2016 Ram 2500/3500hD

Model Ram 2500 HD Ram 3500 HD
Engine 6.7L Cummins I-6 6.7L Cummins I-6
Peak Horsepower 350 hp @ 2,800 rpm (G56 manual)
370 hp @ 2,800 rpm (68RFE auto)
350 hp @ 2,800 rpm (G56 man)
370 hp @ 2,800 rpm (68RFE auto)
385 hp @ 2,800 rpm (Aisin auto)
Peak Torque 660 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm (G56 manual)
800 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (68RFE auto)
660 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm (G56 manual)
800 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (68RFE auto)
900 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (Aisin auto)
Transmissions Mercedes G56 six speed manual
Chrysler 68RFE six speed automatic
Mercedes G56 six speed manual
Chrysler 68RFE six speed automatic
Aisin AS69RC six speed automatic
Max GVWR 10,000 lbs 14,000 lbs
Max GCWR 25,300 lbs 39,100 lbs
Max Payload 3,160 lbs* 6,720 lbs **
Max Conventional Tow 17,980 lbs * 18,000 lbs
Max 5th Wheel Tow 17,980 lbs * 31,210 lbs ***
Powertrain Warranty 5 year/100,000 miles 5 year/100,000 miles

* Regular cab, 8' bed, 4x2 models w/ 3.42 axle
** Regular cab, 8' bed, DRW, 4x2 models w/ 3.42 or 3.73 axle
*** Regular cab, 8' bed, DRW, 4x2 models w/ 4.10 axle

2016 Model Year 3/4 Ton Comparison

Highlighted field denotes best-in-class* for 2016 model year

Model Chevrolet/GMC 2500 HD Ford F-250 Super Duty Ram 2500 HD
Peak Horsepower 397 hp @ 3,000 rpm 440 hp @ 2,800 rpm 370 hp @ 2,800 rpm (68RFE auto)
Peak Torque 765 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 860 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 800 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (68RFE auto)
Max GVWR 10,000 lbs 10,000 lbs 10,000 lbs
Max GCWR 25,100 lbs 23,500 lbs 25,300 lbs
Max Payload 3,275 lbs 3,115 lbs 3,160 lbs
Max Conventional Tow 14,500 lbs 14,000 lbs 17,980 lbs
Max 5th Wheel Tow 18,000 lbs 16,300 lbs 17,980 lbs

* "Class" herein recognized as class 2B light diesel truck with GVWR between 8,501 and 10,000 lbs. All ratings and capacities for gasoline engine equipped trucks have been omitted

2016 Model Year 1 Ton Comparison

Highlighted field denotes best-in-class* for 2016 model year

Model Chevrolet/GMC 3500 HD Ford F-350 Super Duty Ford F-450 Super Duty Ram 3500 HD
Peak Horsepower 397 hp @ 3,000 rpm 440 hp @ 2,800 rpm 440 hp @ 2,800 rpm 385 hp @ 2,800 rpm (Aisin auto)
Peak Torque 765 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 860 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 860 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm 900 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm (Aisin auto)
Max GVWR 13,025 lbs 14,000 lbs 14,000 lbs 14,000 lbs
Max GCWR 31,100 lbs 35,000 lbs 40,400 lbs 39,100 lbs
Max Payload 5,587 lbs 6,682 lbs 5,300 lbs 6,720 lbs
Max Conventional Tow 20,000 lbs 19,000 lbs 19,000 lbs 18,000 lbs
Max 5th Wheel Tow 23,200 lbs 26,500 lbs 31,200 lbs 31,210 lbs

* "Class" herein recognized as class III light diesel truck with GVWR between 10,001 and 14,000 lbs. All ratings and capacities for gasoline equipped trucks have been omitted

Sources: www.ford.com, www.chevrolet.com, www.gmc.com, www.ramtrucks.com