Diesel prices have climbed well above gasoline, pushing the cost of operating diesel-powered vehicles higher and prompting major American automakers to offer significant discounts on heavy-duty diesel pickups. Ram is offering the largest discount, with savings of up to $10,524 on select 2026 models.
Ram Offers the Biggest Diesel Truck Discount
CarsDirect found that all three American automakers are offering thousands of dollars in incentives on their heavy-duty diesel pickups as diesel prices remain elevated.
Ram is offering 10% off its 2500 and 3500 diesel trucks, with savings of up to $10,524. Buyers will need to spend more than $60,000 on a truck to exceed Ford’s flat $6,000 discount on its diesel models ranging from the F-250 to the F-450.
GM brands are offering discounts of up to $4,500 on select trim levels, putting their incentives below those offered by Ram and Ford.
2026 Diesel Trucks Get Discounts Before the 2027 Models
The discounts apply to 2026 models and, at the moment, are available only through the end of the month.
For shoppers considering Ram or Ford diesel trucks, the current incentives come as the automakers prepare their 2027 models. Changes for the 2027 model year are mostly focused on off-road options and other minor equipment updates.
Ford expanded availability of the Tremor, while Ram added the diesel engine to the Power Wagon. Ford also dropped the base diesel engine for 2027, meaning all new diesel Super Duty models will receive what was previously the high-output option.
However, that engine was already available before the 2027 model year.
Why GM Buyers May Want to Wait
GM’s situation is different because Chevrolet and GMC are making a major change to their heavy-duty diesel trucks for 2027. While their current discounts are smaller, the 2027 Silverado HD and Sierra HD will receive completely new diesel engines.
The new engines will replace the turbocharged 6.6-liter V8s with turbocharged 8.3-liter V8s. The new engines are rated at 555 horsepower and 1,230 pound-feet of torque.
That represents an increase of 85 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque over the old 6.6-liter engine, while also exceeding the output of Ford’s most powerful diesel.
For GM buyers specifically interested in a high-output diesel truck, the substantially higher performance of the 2027 models provides a reason to consider waiting rather than choosing a discounted 2026 truck.
