The Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon have enjoyed a warm welcome ever since being (re)introduced to the North American market in 2014. The all-new midsize trucks present a newer, fresher, and smarter alternative to the competition from Toyota and Nissan. Plus, GM’s midsizers are also more fuel efficient than their rivals. But then comes the Ram EcoDiesel HFE with its 21 MPG city, 29 MPG highway, and 24 MPG combined fuel economy ratings, making it the most fuel-efficient truck in the biz.
Luckily, GM will soon drop its 2.8L Duramax diesel engine into both the 2016 Canyon and 2016 Colorado. The move will hopefully knock the RAM off its perch and claim the highest-MPG truck title for The General.
Both the Canyon and Colorado will be fitted with the Dual Over-Head Cam turbo-diesel four-cylinder 2.8L Duramax sporting an iron block and aluminum heads. We expect the mill to make about 181 horsepower at 3400 RPM and a healthy 369 pound-feet of twist at 2,000 RPM. To further drive efficiency, the Duramax’s water-cooled turbo will also employ variable-inlet turbine geometry, which alters the aspect ratio of the turbo as conditions change in an effort to maximize effectiveness.
| METRIC | 2.8L DURAMAX I4 TD | 3.0L ECODIESEL TD V6 | + / – DURAMAX |
|---|---|---|---|
| HORSEPOWER: | 181 | 240 | -59 |
| TORQUE: | 369 | 420 | -51 |
| MPG CITY: | 23 (EST) | 21 | |
| MPG HWY: | 31 (EST) | 29 | |
| MPG COMBINED: | 26 (EST) | 24 |
Sure, the Duramax is down 59 horses and 51 pound-feet of torque from the figures produced by the RAM EcoDiesel’s 3.0L V6 (240 horsepower at 3,600 RPM and 420 pound-feet) of torque at 2,000 RPM, but that’s not really the point, as GM’s goal is MPG supremacy, along with the added diesel capability.
So here’s the interesting part: the folks at Car and Driver expect city ratings in the low 20s and highway figures in the low 30s for a combined figure of 26 MPG, pipping the Ram EcoDiesel HFE by 2 MPG. We’re inclined to believe the Durmax-powered twins will be a little more fuel-efficient than that (it is, after all, a midsizer rather than a full-sizer like the Ram), but all will be revealed once GM releases the official EPA-certified MPG figures.
GM will import the 16-valve Duramax from its plant in Rayong, Thailand, where it produces the international-market Colorado and Isuzu equivalent, while the trucks are assembled at GM’s Wentzville facility in Missouri.
Expect the Duramax-powered Canyon/Colorado to begin arriving at Chevy and GMC dealerships around the country this fall.
Comments
I would expect the 2.8L in the new GM midsize to get at least 3-5 better highway mpg then the full size Dodge 3.0L.
Also heard the Post Office is looking for a new delivery van. Bet using the chassis and new 2.8L of this GM midsize would make for a great delivery van.
I would consider the Canyon to replace my Ridgeline. But the interior of the Canyon nor its backseat legroom in crew cab come close to that of Ridgeline. That is a deal breaker for me.
My 2.9l Colorado 4&4 does the job but the gas mileage isn’t that great. I’m positive the 2..8l diesel will be far more economical.
You claim that the duramax is down 180 lb-ft from the dodge, yet you have the duramax listed at 396 lb-ft and the eco diesel at 420 lb-ft. Am I missing something? Or is it just a typo?
It’s a typo. We’ve updated the story with the correct figures as well as a comparison table. Thanks for the heads up!
I’m guessing hwy mpg should be 31 on the chart, not 21
I expect the little engine will top Dodge easily, Smaller truck, smaller engine and all it should.
Now the real question is will people buy it? Most diesel guys buy V8 engines in this country that is why that is what is mostly offered. They will often buy the larger truck to get it too. This is untested waters and could prove to be very successful with large sales or it could be a stunning disappointment for some as people just do not come to buy,
I hope it works out but I get the feeling it will not sell in great numbers I hope I am wrong but just call it a gut feeling. The added cost and half the cylinders will not play here well. Small Diesels are just loved around the world but here not so much.
But give GM a nod at least their are willing to go where no one else has done much here. The risk shows they are willing to be aggressive.
Diesels will sell well in Mid Size pickuup here in the US… its unfortunate that until GM announced the Colorado and Canyon with the 2.8 Duramax (Modified VM Motori RA428DOHC), no other manufacturer had stepped up to the plate… yet modern efficient TDI’s have been sold in the rest of the world for the last 10 years or so.. US buyers are just not educated about the benefits of TDI’s over gasoline and have only seen full size trucks with Diesels. Its time to change the perception!!!!!
Also, can GM Authority ask GM why they are keeping the 2.8 Duramax out of the Extra Cab variants of the Colorado and Canyon with the exception of the Colorado Work Truck version?? Is GM being conservative about how many they will sell or are we in for sticker shock??
I agree Americans are clueless to Diesels but to change their views will not be easy.
Also this will not be a cheap truck. I expect a LT to cost as much as a fully loaded gas LTZ.
Also as long as gas is cheaper few will really care to convert. I see this as a long term slow growth segment and it still could be dashed with even more government regulations.
They want more and more MPG but they keep killing the Diesels with more regulations that add up to even more cost to a more expensive system. I Believe the present admin really just does not have realistic players running the EPA and Energy commission.
In the US diesel is usually more expensive to buy at the pump (often in Canada too), and there is premium for diesel engines over a gas counterpart. For some vehicles, and depending how much you drive, it may take 5-10 years to cover that extra cost with fuel savings, the upfront cost is what turns most people away. Plus you’re having the added cost of exhaust fluid.
I love the idea of a midsize diesel, and also light duty full size diesels like the EcoDiesel, but there are reasons they aren’t as popular in North America, or any diesel for that matter.
Ed, you said “Also, can GM Authority ask GM why they are keeping the 2.8 Duramax out of the Extra Cab variants of the Colorado and Canyon with the exception of the Colorado Work Truck version??”
What do you mean by Extra cab? Are they not offering the Duramax in the Crew Cab (4 door) version? Is so, where did you see this?
“diminutive”!
How so?
need to put that engine in the Impala!
@ Scott3 & @ andrew, both of you have very valid points about cheap gas and the initial cost for the Diesel Engine as enough to sway buyers towards Gasoline, not to mention the EPA and CA-ARB with too many regulations.. However, here in the wacky state of CA, Diesel is anywhere from 20 to 50 cents per gallon cheaper than 87 Unleaded (location and vendor dependent). With the added fuel efficiency of Diesel over Gasoline – TDI vehicle owners are reaping the reward for their investment right now.
Personally, I’ve been waiting a long time for a Mid Size Truck with a Turbo-Diesel to show up here in the US. Although a Colorado Diesel Crew Cab, 4×4 in the work truck trim is a tempting buy when it comes out, I will hold back spending my hard earned cash to see if Nissan will put the the Cummins ISF2.8 and ZF eight speed in the 2017 Frontier. If GM matched Nissan with an 8 Speed Auto, that would make it hard to ignore the Chevy!!
I understand it may be cheaper there but your gas is much higher than our in the other 48 states too,
The issue here is Americans really don’t understand Diesels and have many old out dated ideas. You can preach to them but yet it gas is mostly cheaper everywhere else and the vehicle is cheaper to buy with out the Diesel it makes it a hard sell.
Americans like to keep things the same and that has been the difficult part of the transformation to higher CAFE products. But the every few year gas spike has helped move people to where most are buying 4 cylinder cars.
The MFG have been working to get people to forget the many failed turbo gas engines of the past as they finally have gotten them right but yet many people think they are less durable and will fail though we know that is not the norm anymore.
I am hoping there is a segment of truck buyers that will step up and prevent this from being another Cruze Diesel like deal. In fact if everyone who has been crying bought one GM would be sitting pretty but like before these folks will not put their money where their mouth is.
I give GM credit for trying but I do not expect major instant sales on these. I just hope they continue to offer it and make it so that they can slowly grow sales as time goes on. They will need engines like this in the future if the government does not force them out with ever increasing emissions actions.
The way I look at it this engine will go global and even if it does not catch fire here GM will make it back else where like Australia and Asia. Maybe even Europe.
@Scott3. It will be interesting to see how many TDI trucks buyers there are out there… I will test drive a Colorado Diesel when it hits my local Chevy dealer this fall and If I like it, I might say adios to my 95 S10 Extra Cab ZR-2… or wait till I hear how Datsun respond… either way I will end up with a TDI…
As far as I am aware, GM doesn’t sell the Global Colorado in Europe. However, Isuzu does sell the sister ship, the D-Max with a 2.5 Bi-Turbo Diesel that has the same roots as the 2.8 Duramax Diesel..
I haven’t come across a Cruze Diesel yet.. but lots of VW’s TDI’s where I live…
Like I said if everyone who cried for this bought one it would be fine but few will back it up.
GM gets some truck into Europe in some way but not many. I think this truck would do well and market it as a GMC. This way any GM dealer can sell it.
How can you get 26 mpg combined when you have 23 mpg in the city and “21” mpg in the highway lol?
Chris Or Drew, shouldn’t the hwy mileage be 31 mpg instead of 21??
It is a shame GM is so far behind on this. I would take a GM small or midsize over dodge, but could not keep waiting. I have bought 3 Dodge trucks with the eccodiesel, and like them. Had GM been to market I would have given them a fair chance.
I have a Cruze diesel as well, and love it. It is too bad they are not marketed better. It has great mileage, and way more power than the so called economy cars.
The biggest knock I have on the Colorado/Canyon is that they are too big and heavy to be a true economy minded truck, but not big enough to do fullsize work.
AMAZING A smaller,lighter, lower horsepowered vehicle getting better fuel economy than a larger. heavier, more powerful one…. GM has some amazing engineers.
Amazing another jealous hater
A friend bought the Dodge eco diesel claims he only gets 25-26 mpg highway he is by no means a lead foot… If the minimax will get 30 mpg I’m in. This truck has plenty of torque to pull the boat or my camper, haul the four wheeler, pull the job trailer for work… what else is there? Full size pickup trucks are for fifth wheel applications and heavy hauling, I can’t remember the last time I needed to tow over 9,000 pounds… actually can’t remember a first time….
Can I order one now????? I am on my 13th VW diesel. A cat diesel in my RV. I am diesel guy!!! A full size truck is more than I wish to tow behind my motor home. My 2004 Dodge Dakota is the perfect size. I have been waiting for diesel for a long time.
My only complaint is why do the boxes on the newer trucks need to be so high? How are you supposed to reach anything over the side? I use my truck full of tools and all kinds of other stuff on the mine site. Thanks GM for finally building a small truck with a diesel!!!!!
Steve
What is going to be the Towing capacity of the Colorado with the 2.8. Will it be able to handle a 7K Camper?
No matter how well the Coloradio does in gas mileage there will always be those who say you are comparing apples to oranges. If it only gets a couple of MPG better than the Ram they will say why not go with the full size?
A 52k price tag versus a 35pk price tag