Diesel or Gas: Which V8 Should You Choose?

You need the right truck to get the job done, and Chevrolet delivers when it comes to engine choices for your 2025 Chevrolet Silverado HD pickup truck. Shopping for a 2025 Silverado 2500HD or 3500HD involves choosing between a gasoline-fueled V8 and the Duramax diesel V8. Although very different in nature, these two engines just happen to be 6.6 liters in displacement. 

The SlashGear website recently explained which 6.6-liter V8 engine could work for you in your 2025 Silverado HD pickup truck, stating that “traditionally, diesel powerplants have proven that their extra torque is usually the more capable and preferred option for heavy duty hauling. The question then becomes whether these improved, more powerful gasoline V8s are capable of doing enough to win over diesel-buyers.” 

We should start with the numbers. Take the 2025 Silverado 3500HD, since it usually yields the greatest payload and towing capacity. The naturally aspirated gasoline 6.6-liter V8 is rated for 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 is rated at 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque.  

These numbers represent just the engine. However, they also translate into payload and towing capacity. Again, using the 2025 Silverado 3500HD as an example, if you opt for the gasoline V8, you can haul up to 6,776 pounds of payload with a maximum tow rating of up to 18,300 pounds using a conventional hitch (and 18,650 pounds with a fifth wheel/gooseneck connection).  

When you choose the Duramax diesel for your 2025 Silverado 3500HD, you have a maximum payload rating of up to 7,237 pounds. Maximum tow ratings go up to 20,000 pounds with a conventional connection and 36,000 pounds using a fifth wheel/gooseneck connection.  

The editors also brought up the issue of cost. It is true that the standard gasoline engine is less expensive than opting for the Duramax diesel for your 2025 Silverado HD pickup truck. Also, 87-octane gasoline is generally less per gallon than #2 diesel. Plus, for the Duramax diesel, you have to add diesel exhaust fluid when needed.   

When comparing these two engines, SlashGear observed that “whether you opt for the gasoline V8, or the upgrade to the Duramax, you’ll get to appreciate a lot of the improvements GM has put into these engines in recent years. It’s really just a matter of how much torque you need, and how often you need it for heavy-duty towing.” 

If you really want to see which 6.6-liter V8 works for your 2025 Silverado 2500HD or 3500HD, let Twin Falls Chevrolet help you see the difference between the two. Contact us to learn more about both engines. Of course, the choice is yours.