Best Diesel Vehicles

The Ford F-Series has held the sales crown among full-size pickup trucks for almost 50 years, and with offerings such as the 2025 F-250, the truck’s popularity is no surprise. One of the most capable and versatile heavy-duty pickup trucks on the market, the F-250 delivers a range of innovative features and available luxury appointments to further set it apart from its Detroit-based rivals.

The F-250 is available with three cabin configurations, two bed lengths, and four powerful engine options. Combine this versatility with five distinct trim levels, and you will find an F-250 that matches just about any buyer's requirements for a heavy-duty truck.

Inside, the 2025 Super Duty F-250 can be equipped in basic form as a proper work truck or, for those buyers who want a more premium experience, the top-level Platinum boasts elegant surroundings on par with a luxury sedan. Either provides a roomy cabin, easily matching the space offered by its rivals.

With only four three-quarter-ton pickup truck brands available in the U.S., the competition is fierce. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD, and Ram 2500 all have a lot to offer, but the 2025 Ford F-250 stands out with class-leading capability.

With a diesel engine that puts out a mind-boggling 1,200 pound-feet of torque, the F-250 can tow up to 23,000 pounds, more than any of its rivals. Ford also offers innovative towing-specific features to assist drivers with setup and control.

The 2025 Ford Super Duty F-450 is a heavy-duty pickup designed to tackle the toughest jobs while providing a high level of luxury and technology. As one of the flagship models in Ford's Super Duty lineup, the F-450 stands out with its impressive towing and hauling capabilities, boasting a maximum towing capacity of up to 30,000 pounds when properly equipped. This positions it as a leader in its class, especially for those needing serious muscle for trailers, boats, or large equipment.

In comparison to competitors like the Ram 3500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 3500, the F-450 shines with its robust powertrain options, including a potent diesel engine that delivers exceptional torque. While the Ram offers a slightly more refined ride and luxurious interior features, the F-450 compensates with its superior payload capacity and advanced towing technology, including Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Silverado 3500, while competitive, doesn't quite match the overall towing prowess and high-tech offerings of the F-450, particularly in terms of integrated safety features and driver assistance systems.

Despite its strengths, the F-450 does come with some drawbacks. Its large size can make maneuvering in tight spaces challenging, and the price tag can climb steeply with added options and higher trims. Fuel efficiency is another concern, as heavy-duty trucks tend to be less economical, especially when fully loaded. However, the luxurious interior and comprehensive technology make it a strong contender for those who need both functionality and comfort in a workhorse vehicle.

Overall, the 2025 Ford Super Duty F-450 is an impressive choice for buyers looking for extreme towing capability combined with a refined driving experience. Its blend of power, luxury, and cutting-edge technology makes it a standout in the heavy-duty segment, catering to both commercial and recreational users alike.

The redesigned 2025 GMC Yukon continues its role as an upgrade from its workhorse Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart and a stepping stone to the opulence of the Cadillac Escalade. That's the marketing theory, anyway. In reality, the Tahoe and Yukon are so similar in specs and features that buyers largely choose on style and price.

For 2025, the Yukon looks a little more muscular, taking cues from the Sierra pickup with its taut creases and character lines, most noticeably in the grille and the rear lower bumper. Changes are less subtle inside the cabin. The dash has been recast with a lower, flatter, and vaguely Audi-like design, then embedded with a massive touchscreen and updated Google-based infotainment system. Tech upgrades continue with new active safety features (among them, enhanced cyclist detection and automatic braking to help avoid intersection collisions) and the full-line availability of the Super Cruise hands-free driving system.

The Yukon's three engine choices — two V8s and a V6 diesel — deliver enough grunt to tow 7,700 to 8,400 pounds, while the standard and optional air suspensions mask the Yukon's truck roots. The quiet and cavernous interior can seat up to nine passengers and cargo space is larger than in any of the Yukon's rivals.

The Yukon's price typically makes it a hard sell, though. GMC hasn't announced pricing yet, but the lower trims come with the same basic features as the equivalent Tahoes, but usually start around $5,000 higher. Moving up to the Denali and Denali Ultimate trims gets into Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and even Land Rover Range Rover territory — all high-class options with comparable power and towing capacity. The Yukon AT4 trim hits the sweet spot of value, features, and even some off-road performance (plus more if you want it), but it's harder to make a case for the higher trims given the competition.

If you’re one of those people who don’t want any of this new-fangled crossover business and see anything but a V8 as a weak-sauce excuse for an engine, the old-school, truck-based, V8-powered 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe is bound to be your kind of SUV. It tows a lot, fits a lot of people inside comfortably, and its vast cargo hold will let you go nuts at Costco. It’s also not that old school thanks to sophisticated suspension options, available Super Cruise hands-free driving tech, and a stunning high-tech interior makeover for 2025.

It’s not the only full-size, truck-based SUV, though. The GMC Yukon is mechanically the same vehicle, but now more than ever, features a distinctive design inside and out. The Jeep Wagoneer is luxurious, packs a more powerful and efficient turbo V6 engine (sorry, new-fangled isn't so bad), and is even bigger inside. It’s also a bit ungainly to look at. The Ford Expedition has its own impressive turbo V6, better tow ratings, comparable interior space, and a 2025 interior overhaul that’s arguably more tech-focused than the Tahoe’s. Basically, Ford and Chevy remain top competitors.

Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention that those new-fangled crossovers have a lot going for them. The new Chevrolet Traverse gives the Tahoe a run for its money in terms of interior space, is more efficient, and a little less cumbersome to drive. It’s also cheaper. The same can be said of other jumbo crossovers such as the Kia Telluride and Toyota Grand Highlander. None offer the towing capability of the Tahoe (8,000 pounds versus 5,000 pounds or less), nor are their third-row seats quite as spacious for full-size people. The Tahoe’s shockingly quiet diesel engine option counters some of that efficiency deficit.

You have lots of options in this class, but the 2025 Chevy Tahoe doesn’t suffer for its old-school nature like it once did. It’s far more competitive because of it.

The GMC Sierra 3500 HD is part of a small cadre of trucks capable of hauling an astonishing 36,000 pounds - that's eighteen full tons. This brute force is matched by a sophisticated suite of towing technologies, including the groundbreaking Transparent Trailer View system that transforms the impossible into reality: seeing "through" your trailer to help avoid obstacles. Dual rear wheels provide extra stability.

Beyond its raw power, the Sierra 3500 HD is surprisingly civilized. Its robust frame absorbs road imperfections, delivering a comfortable ride for drivers and passengers. Available in three cab sizes, the 3500 HD offers one of the roomiest interiors in its class, allowing even the tallest occupants to stretch out on long journeys. Technology and refinement are leaps ahead of previous generations, with a standard 13.4-inch touchscreen on all but the lowest trim level. However, the upper trims of the Ford Super Duty F-350 and Ram 3500 edge out the Sierra in sheer luxury.

Choosing between a potent gas engine or a diesel powertrain caters to diverse needs, while four-wheel drive offers capability when the pavement ends. Though its size does make it a chore to park, the Sierra 3500 HD boasts a bold, muscular design that's as impressive as its performance.

Modern, full-size trucks are larger and more capable than ever, but sometimes there are jobs that even rigs like the standard Chevy Silverado 1500 can’t handle. That’s where heavy-duty trucks such as the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD come in. Bigger, brawnier, and available with all of the same creature comforts as full-size trucks, the Silverado 2500HD is almost as user-friendly as the average full-size pickup, but it’s capable of towing more than 20,000 pounds.

The Silverado 2500HD was updated last year with a number of new tech features, increased power, and an all-new off-road-capable ZR2 model, but Chevy didn’t stop there. For 2025, the Silverado 2500HD gets a new Trail Boss off-road package, available on LT and LTZ models. It bridges the gap between more city-friendly pickups and the ultra-capable ZR2, giving buyers even more off-road options.

Competitors such as the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500 offer similar towing and hauling capability to the Chevy, as well as off-road packages of their own. Both the Ford and the Ram are a bit more refined on the inside, but if you want a plush interior, you can always take a closer look at the GMC Sierra 2500HD, which is essentially an upgraded Silverado HD.

In the world of pickups, there are compact, midsize, full-size, and heavy-duty trucks. Heavy-duty trucks like the 2025 GMC Sierra 2500HD are at the top of the heap when it comes to capability, luxury, and size. Big bruisers such as the Sierra 2500HD offer very high towing and hauling ratings, but they also come with some of the most luxurious fittings you’ll find in a truck of any size.

There aren’t any major updates for 2025, but the Sierra 2500HD got some big updates last year: an increase in power for the optional turbodiesel engine, refreshed styling, a massive 13.4-inch infotainment system, and new AT4X and Denali Ultimate trim levels. All those upgrades carry over for 2025, helping the Sierra stay competitive among heavy-duty heavyweights like the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500. If off-road capability is a concern, the AT4 and AT4X trims have you covered, while the Denali and Denali Ultimate trims offer ultra-plush interiors with available features like massaging front seats.

While it doesn’t lead the class in terms of towing, the Sierra 2500HD still posts some impressive numbers. It can tow as much as 22,500 pounds and it has a maximum payload capacity as high as 3,850 pounds. The Sierra 2500HD is, of course, pretty large and if you don’t need its massive towing capabilities, we’d recommend a full-size truck like the GMC Sierra 1500 instead. Its size makes the 2500HD difficult to maneuver and the upper trim levels can get quite near the $100,000 mark with just a few options.

Mercedes-Benz offers a trio of van options: cargo, passenger, and the unique Sprinter Crew. While cargo vans prioritize capacity and passenger vans focus on people moving, the Crew Van masterfully bridges the gap between the two. Designed for businesses demanding both personnel and equipment transport, it excels as a mobile office, construction vehicle, or emergency response unit.

The Sprinter Crew's versatility is unmatched in its class. Its ability to seamlessly integrate cargo and passenger accommodations is a game-changer. However, this exceptional flexibility comes at a premium price. Starting at $53,900, the Crew Van is a significant investment. Yet, this outlay is justified by Mercedes-Benz's hallmark quality, deluxe interior, and potent diesel powertrains. With customizable roof heights, body lengths, and even an available all-wheel-drive system, the Sprinter Crew offers a level of customization and capability to compete with any van in its segment.

The Chevrolet Express, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster are more affordable alternatives. Still, none can replicate the Sprinter Crew's unique blend of versatility, luxury, and performance.

The all-new 2025 Volvo EX90 is the flagship EV in a lineup of vehicles that will likely be fully electric by 2030. This SUV is in the same size class as the current gas-powered XC90, but that’s where the similarities end. The EX90 is a completely new vehicle riding on a chassis designed for electric cars in partnership with Chinese parent company Geely. The Volvo has a massive 111-kWh battery pack sitting beneath the floor. That allows this EV to travel roughly 300 miles on a charge, but also makes it weigh in at approximately 3 tons.

The EX90 luxury EV starts just under $80,000, which places this three-row vehicle in the company of pricey electric SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the upcoming Lucid Gravity, and three-row versions of the aging Tesla Model X. But one could argue that it also competes with the Kia EV9, a bargain electric three-row SUV at just under $55,000. There’s also the upcoming Polestar 3, which is smaller than the EX90 but, because it has the same Chinese parent company, employs many of the same mechanicals and electronics.

Every EX90 model is all-wheel drive with two motors — one driving the front wheels and another driving the rear ones in either Twin Motor (408 horsepower) or Twin Motor Performance (510 hp) varieties. Both models are available in either the Plus or the Ultra trim, the latter of which adds optional equipment and about $5,000 to the price tag. The more powerful Twin Motor Performance model can hit 60 mph in about 4.7 seconds; the less powerful versions take about a second longer. An optional four-wheel air suspension is adjustable with soft and firm settings that, along with the weight of the steering feel, can be toggled via the touchscreen. A performance all-wheel-drive button activates a torque vectoring system on the rear axle that can deliver torque to the wheel that needs it, boosting traction and aiding handling.

The EX90 is smaller than some of its luxury rivals and doesn’t pack the mind-bending acceleration of some versions of the Rivian R1S or Tesla Model X. The Volvo does, however, share those automakers' philosophy when it comes to interior functionality. The dash is minimalistic, with just a small 9-inch gauge cluster in front of the driver and a large 14.5-inch touchscreen in the center. The touchscreen controls virtually every function of this vehicle, including side-view mirror and steering wheel adjustment. Even the glove box opens via the touchscreen.

As one might imagine, this Volvo is positively loaded with safety tech. Volvo says it will be the safest vehicle it has ever made, partly because a new lidar system will back up the traditional camera systems with a long detection range (it can “see” a person up to 800 feet away) and help make every system work with more accuracy. That includes the Pilot Assist driving system that can automatically maintain a vehicle’s speed, adjust following distance, and help change lanes while the driver keeps at least one hand on the wheel. And with lidar active, the Volvo can more accurately detect things in the road (like potholes, etc.). Every EX90 will be installed with the lidar system, although it won’t become active until several months after the vehicle launch.

Unlike some EVs, the EX90 doesn’t wear a radical exterior design. Instead, the Volvo looks like an evolution of other Volvo SUVs — and that’s no bad thing. It’s an attractive three-row luxury SUV that should appeal to most shoppers.