2012 Toyota HiLux Diesel Pickup

[jgillott]

You are correct. The hang up is how much more does the diesel end up costing. A couple grand to hit 30MPG instead of 20 is worth it. But if it end up being 6-8K more to get 22MPG instead of 21mpg, then they just keep reducing the market and it will fail. For many people its all about the numbers...



I really think VW was smart when they finally brought the TDI here as they had no compitition. Whoever brings the 1/2 diesel BACK to the USA FIRST is going to have a winner, I believe.



My next vehicle purchase is going to be a 2013/2014 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon. If they'd bring diesel I would jump for it depending on the $$$$ additional cost. I like the idea of a Toy Taco with a diesel, would make a great rig for me when I don't need to haul or tow heavy (that is why I have a dually) I am really just not a car person... .

My brother-in-law just purchased a 2013 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited and just loves it. He is already seeing highway mileage in the low 20's with the 3. 6L V6 and 3. 73 gears. He has always owned at least one Jeep of some type, but far and above, this one is showing the best balance of fuel economy and power.



Back in the mid '90's, a buddy of mine got the itch for a diesel truck after I had purchsed my former '92 Dodge. He ended up purchasing a '95 K1500 Chevy with the 6. 5L diesel and 4-speed automatic. He didn't tow heavy at all and used the truck mostly as a commuter vehicle. The 6. 5L's were never known to be the best engine offering out there, but he ended up running that thing for over 300K before body and frame rust finally killed it. He switched to Dodge after that, but he still talks about how much he liked that old 1/2 ton as a daily driver. Running a 1500 Ram for work now, I can honestly say that I would be very interested in one with a diesel offering. Something in the 200 HP/450 lb/ft tq that would knock down 25 mpg highway and still be able to tow a little here and there without struggle would be perfect.

 

[MChrist]

Keep in mind that the Sprinter 2500, which is a light, aerodynamic van with a 3. 0 V6 diesel averages 19. 5 MPG according to www.fuelly.com.
The previous diesel version, which was an inline 5 cylinder typically returned 21-22 MPG according to the same source.

Putting a similar motor in an unaerodynamic truck, probably with 4 WD, and much heavier than a Sprinter would probably drop the MPG down to 16-17 average, and maybe up to 20 on a highway run. You would also drop payload capacity and tow ratings with that motor compared to what we have now.
99% of the time, I don't need the power this truck came off the assembly line with, but it would really throw a monkey wrench into the mix if it didn't have that power when towing one of our 12,000 lb trailers.
So in my opinion, if I needed a light duty truck that was comfortable and got good MPG, I would consider a new Ram 1500 with it's air suspension, Pentastar V6 gas motor, 8 speed auto trans and whatever they are rated at for MPG. If I need a truck that can tow heavy on occasion, I'll just stick with my big, under-taxed Cummins.
Also, in our area, gas is around $3. 30, diesel is $4. 20