Do both trucks offer a diesel engine for Round Lake, IL drivers?
City Chevrolet Of Grayslake – Do both trucks offer a diesel engine for Round Lake, IL drivers?
One of the most common questions we hear from local truck shoppers is straightforward: do both the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the 2026 Ford F-150 offer a diesel engine? The short answer is no. If a diesel matters to you for its confident low-end torque, smooth long-haul manners, and proven towing poise, the Silverado is your pick. Chevrolet continues to offer the Duramax® 3.0L Turbo-Diesel on multiple trims—standard on ZR2 and available on popular models like LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country—delivering 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque with a refined 10-speed automatic. Ford no longer offers a diesel option on the F-150. That single difference has big implications for drivers who tow regularly around Round Lake, IL.
Why a half-ton diesel still matters
Diesel torque arrives early and stays steady, which translates to easier launches, fewer downshifts on grades, and calmer control in crosswinds when you’re trailering. The Duramax 3.0L in the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pairs quiet operation with strong, predictable pull, so the truck feels planted rather than busy. If your weekends involve hauling a fishing boat to the Chain O’ Lakes, or your weekdays include a covered trailer hop between job sites, you’ll appreciate how composed the Duramax remains with a moderate load behind you. Because the Silverado’s chassis and brake hardware are set up to work hand-in-glove with Chevy’s deep trailering tech—up to 14 available camera views and an available in-vehicle Trailering App—those diesel strengths are even easier to access.
Trailering confidence beyond the powertrain
While the engine sets the tone, the Silverado’s towing technology does the finishing work. Up to 14 available camera views give angles you quickly come to rely on—Hitch View, bed views, and blind-zone views for the trailer. The available Trailering App supports custom profiles, tire pressure monitoring for compatible trailer setups, and guided checklists. And for long highway stretches, available Super Cruise® enables hands-free driving on compatible roads and remains available even while towing. Ford’s BlueCruise is a capable hands-free system, but it does not support hands-free operation with a trailer. That singular difference is a major fatigue reducer on runs along US-41 or I-94.
F-150 strengths, Silverado advantages
To be clear, the Ford F-150 remains a formidable full-size pickup with headline max towing and payload in certain configurations. It also offers an array of gas and hybrid powertrains, a smart Pro Access Tailgate, and available Pro Power Onboard™ for on-site electricity. If you’re focused strictly on a specific max number for towing or payload under precise build conditions, an F-150 configuration may show higher. But for many drivers who want the everyday smoothness, towing steadiness, and range characteristics of a diesel, that box can only be checked by the Silverado. Add Durabed’s best-in-class standard cargo bed volume, 12 standard tie-downs, and the Multi-Flex Tailgate with six configurations, and you start stacking practical wins in favor of Chevy’s half-ton.
Inside the 2026 Silverado 1500, the available 13.4-inch touch-screen and Google built-in provide a modern, intuitive interface. Wireless phone integration, available OnStar®, and an available 15-inch Head-Up Display contribute to clear communication and wayfinding when routes zigzag from Round Lake to Libertyville and on toward Waukegan. The F-150 counters with SYNC-based tech and an available head-up display on premium trims, but it does not offer the native Google built-in platform. If technology usability and voice control are high priorities—and for many drivers comparing these two trucks, they are—the Silverado’s system is a difference-maker.
Who should choose the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel?
Choose the Duramax if you tow at least a few times a month, if you prefer relaxed highway cruising with strong passing power in reserve, or if you often carry gear that pushes a light-duty gas engine to work harder than you’d like. The diesel’s 495 lb-ft of torque makes getting up to speed with a trailer feel natural, and the 10-speed automatic keeps revs steady. When combined with Silverado’s chassis tuning and driver-assistance technologies, the full package helps reduce driver workload across a wide range of trips.
- Towing needs: You regularly pull boats, campers, or job trailers and want strong, steady torque at modest rpm.
- Highway composure: You spend long intervals on I-94 or US-41 and value fewer downshifts and calmer cabin noise.
- Tech that supports towing: You want camera coverage, trailering checklists, and even hands-free capability on compatible roads.
City Chevrolet Of Grayslake is proud to help customers evaluate diesel vs. gas powertrains in a practical, testable way—take both for a drive, hitch a trailer, and feel the difference for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I get a diesel in the 2026 Ford F-150?
No. Ford does not offer a diesel engine in the 2026 F-150. If you want a half-ton diesel, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the available Duramax® 3.0L Turbo-Diesel is your option.
Does Super Cruise work while towing?
Yes. On compatible roads and properly equipped models, Super Cruise® supports hands-free driving even while towing. Ford’s BlueCruise does not support hands-free operation with a trailer.
Which Silverado trims offer the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel?
It is standard on ZR2 and available on trims including Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.
How do the trucks’ tailgates compare?
Silverado offers the available Multi-Flex Tailgate with six configurations, including a full-width step and work surface. Ford’s Pro Access Tailgate swings to provide closer access when hitched.
Who should opt for the diesel?
Drivers who tow regularly around Round Lake, IL or who want relaxed torque and steady highway manners typically prefer the Duramax for its blend of strength and refinement.
Our team, serving Round Lake, Libertyville, and Waukegan, invites you to compare both trucks back-to-back. Bring your questions, a real-world use case, and we’ll help you find the configuration that fits.
0 comment(s) so far on Do both trucks offer a diesel engine for Round Lake, IL drivers?