My wife and I are both needing new vehicles as our current vehicles are high mileage and our family has outgrown them. We’ve waited a year or so for prices and financing options to improve and it seems like the trucks are becoming more reasonable while the SUVs aren’t budging much on price. I’m looking at full size trucks and she’s looking at full-size SUVs. Neither of us want anything fancy, just dependable with good fuel economy with reasonable maintenance costs and room for our 3 kids. We both commute approximately 32 miles (mostly highway) each way to work. We prefer 4 wheel drive for the typical bad weather we get in WV and unfortunately calling in isn’t an option as we both work in healthcare so we have to show up regardless.

I’ve researched quite a bit but haven’t gone to a dealership yet. I like the specs on the newer 3.0 Duramax available in Chevy/GM products. The fuel economy seems good with adequate power etc. I don’t believe it requires DEF fluid either which is a plus. I know the newest version is available in the Silverado currently and will become available in the Tahoe/Suburban for 2025 models. I would like to get honest input from folks with experience with these engines or other models I’ve overlooked. I know Toyota has a tremendous reputation but I’ve read some questionable articles about the new hybrid engines and fuel economy being significantly less than expected. Currently we’ve talked about getting a Silverado with the newer 3.0 Duramax and when the Tahoe/Suburban becomes available with the newer 3.0 Duramax getting one for her. Thanks in advance for any and all input.

Curious why you want a diesel because it seems like you pay a pretty big premium up front and on going?

As far as the GM's you're considering my daughter drives a Tahoe and her husband a GMC 1500. Both vehicles are 2022 4wd, with GM's 305 (5.3) V8 and 10-speed auto. He loves his truck which is an Evolution model so fairly basic but it has everything I'd want except maybe leather. She looked at the Highlander and Telluride and felt they were a little too small. The Tahoe has a fairly roomy 3rd row and is nice for the 4 of them especially when they take me or others along. So far they've not had any problems that I'm aware of with either.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ridewv,

Don’t buy a diesel unless you need to tow IMO. I have had many Chevy and Ford diesels hauling trucks over the past 20 years. The emission crap is so over the top and unreliable now. Trucks with minor issues getting locked to 20mph or less. Dealers having extreme difficulty actually diagnosing emissions issues. Unless I needed the towing power it’s gas only for me.

Skip diesel. Current diesels offer nothing.

I'm a Toyota (I've owned a '82 Truck, '90 4Runner, and '98 4Runner) guy that currently owns a 2017 Ford F-150 I bought new (great truck so far), and drives a Ford Expedition and Ford Explorers at work (our fleet is over 100 Fords). Current (read that as post-2020) Fords have reliability problems. Ask me how I know.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would skip Toyota right now. The value for what you get just isn't there at the moment (that could change in the future). The new Sequoia is sort of ill-designed for being a utilitarian family vehicle and considering Toyota dealers very rarely wheel and deal on price their current MSRP is over valued.

I would look at a Chevy. Spec a fairly base Silverado and base Tahoe and wheel and deal with a dealer. Don't be afraid to walk away and don't be afraid to look at dealers far and wide. Stick to the 5.3 V8. No turbos! Stick to the LS or LT trim for the Tahoe with the 5.3. Keep your spec sheet basic and don't buy extra fluff. Set a price limit for each and make sure you keep it under that. Financing deals are starting to pop up because vehicle inventory isn't moving. Your best bet for getting good deals is typically around Labor Day, but deals are out there all the time if you look hard enough.

Good luck!

3.0 does need DEF. I'd be very hesitant to buy any diesel with these emissions systems. EGR systems basically choke the engines out and the tailpipe emissions stuff is heartbreakingly expensive when (not if sadly) it breaks.

We bought a lightly used 21' Highlander with under 10k miles. Saved close to $10k. It also has the gas V6 engine which is what we wanted. Very happy and will last indefinitely. It is plenty big for a family your size.
Then buy a Tundra. Again you could save thousands by buying a used Toyota certified and have an outstanding warranty.
Both great rigs. No comparison to anything GM offers.

I did a lot of homework recently as well. Most of my adult years have been behind the wheel of a 3/4 ton diesel, and they have been great for me.

This time, I wanted a 1/2 ton. Something easier to maneuver, easier to park. That, plus a new 3/4 with leather couldn't be found for less than 85K, and thats just more than I could wrap my head around, let alone justify.

I currently have about 1500 miles on a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 with the 3.0 Diesel. I'm quite pleased with it so far. It's basically a Denali, but with 2" of lift and a more rugged look. It is currently averaging about 24mpg in mostly in-town driving. It makes more than enough power for me. 300HP and 450 ft-lbs. This engine is the "LZO" variant that started in the GM pickups in the 2023 model year.

The "LM2" variant of the 3.0 duramax (25 less HP) was in the 21 and 22 model years. (possibly longer)

You can find plenty of yukons/tahoes with the LM2 version of the 3.0 duramax. 2025 will be the first year of the LZO version in the SUV's.

I didn't spend a lot of time researching the differences as the truck I wanted had the newer version. I do believe the differences are in the tune, and the emissions system. Basically the same engine.

My truck DOES use DEF. The DEF tank was full when I got it, and it's still full now after the 1500 miles. Part of that is because I haven't worked the truck much at all. My 2016 RAM with a cummins needs a couple gallons of DEF about once a year, unless I'm towing. The more weight I pull, the more it consumes.

I bought the GMC truck because I thought it was the most attractive of the 1/2 ton 4dr, 4WD models available. It's my first GM product. The dashboard that was new in 2023 was my biggest draw. I disliked the previous years GM truck dash.

Best of luck on your search

I am curious DT. How close to $85k did the 2024 GM half ton set you back?

I put about 15k miles on three different 3.0 Silverado 1500 Z71's and probably 80-100k on 5.3's over the last few years


Plenty of power, fuel economy is great. 24mpg around town and 28 mpg cruising at about 80mph on the hwy. The 5.3 gets about 17 mpg around town and 24 mpg cruising at 80 mph. It's about a wash with the price difference in fuel


Currently driving a 2500 with the 6.6L gas, 11 mpg around town and lucky to see 15 mpg on the hwy

The 3.0 does require DEF. I could not find a easy link but here is a service bulletin for a DEF sensor

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/t...MC-10217923-0001.pdf

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I am curious DT. How close to $85k did the 2024 GM half ton set you back?

The sticker was 75k. GM incentives brought it down to 70k, out the door. So a $0 dealer discount.

The same truck, in a different color is now advertised near me at 67k.

I shopped online for about three weeks. Lots of dealers would offer about a 3k discount on every trim level except the AT4. I had to go 2 hours away to Savannah to find the color and options I wanted.

One thing I meant to mention above; with the 3/4 tons, getting the diesel option is a pretty penny. In the GM 1/2 ton, that's not the case. The 5.3L V8 and the baby duramax are about the same price. The most expensive option is the 6.2. The AT4 only gets the diesel or the 6.2, so in my case, the diesel was less expensive.

If you want a Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Ram they raised the prices 60 to 80 percent and they are not selling. Utube-caredge.
Spring selling season everyone raises their prices.
Some dealerships will not bargain still.
Toyota had one of the smallest price increases, and generally have no trouble selling inventory. They have got caught doing some shady stuff (dealers)

I’m in the market too, and I think I saw something recently somewhere, maybe from a GM tech, to never, ever, not ever, buy a GM diesel 3.0 engine.

Do your homework before buying anything with that engine.

I’m a long time diesel owner and given you relatively short commute I would suggest gas. Diesels are great for heavy hauling or long trips but that’s it. Around here the price for diesel is almost a dollar more per gallon.

My sister just bought a Hyundai Palisade. She has been a Hyundai fan for years now. Maybe check them out, although I here some dealers are a POS. They seem to be running in the mid $40’s.

Bump. My neighbor has a GMC 1500 3.0 Diesel and it’s a very nice truck. No issues in the year or so he’s had it.

My Tundra is still not costing me money so I’ll have it for a while longer but always researching. The 12mpg is okay for the little I now drive it. Haha.

According to the dealer reports, the public companies are showing profits still per vehicle, well more than in the past but half what it was during the dempanic and chip shortage, if you are going to finance some manufacturers are offering very low interest rates and/or rebates on models.

Toyota has some of the lowest level of inventory, Ram has the highest days out in inventory, should be the best place to get a deal, Nissans Pickup is really nice and doesn't sell well so another option for a good vehicle with room to negotiate.

IF you want a Toyota shop the country to find a dealer that will either have a close model in inventory, rare, or will get one on order for MSRP without markup.

As for SUV, test drive the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride, both basically same 3 row SUV platform, lower egress point so you don't have to step up, they come loaded with all the safety equipment even at the lower trim levels. You can rent them from most agencies - Hertz, Avis etc and drive for a couple of days vs a test drive. 10 year warranty as well vs any of the big three.

If going domestic and you don't want the full size but want the room, the Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia are nice three rows as is the Ford Explorer.

I like my backyard neighbor's Honda Ridgeline

quote:

Originally posted by Hobbs:
Honda Ridgeline

Just bought a ‘23 model last month.
Armedmd - if you have an interest in a Ridgeline … I travel across the state and would gladly let you take an extended look. Email is in my profile.

Okay, I drive a commercial vehicle sporting a 13liter diesel on the daily. There is no way I would purchase anything with a diesel engine.

They are far too complex, require far more expensive maintenance, and get marginally increased fuel economy all while burning fuel that is about $1 a gallon more expensive. These are the good parts.

Between you and your wife you’ve got 4 kidneys it ain’t enough.

2021 Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander.

You'll save far more in reliability than the discrepancy in gas mileage.