Fuel economy is one of the highest priorities when it comes to an automotive purchase. This rings true in the truck market, where a 30 mpg full-size truck doesn’t exist yet, and fairly thirsty mid-size offerings are just incrementally more frugal on fuel. Though with the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon, customers will be graced with by-far-better fuel economy than other vehicles in the segment when it comes to V6 offerings.
Canyons and Colorados equipped with the 3.6L gasoline V6 LFX engine, 2WD, and a six-speed automatic transmission have posted an estimated 21 mpg combined, otherwise known as 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. 4WD variants will return a slightly lower 20 mpg combined, at 24 mpg highway and 17 mpg city. The closest any other trucks in the segment get are the Toyota Tacoma V6 automatic 2WD at 17 city and 21 highway; the Nissan Frontier V6 automatic returns 16 city and 22 highway.
But that’s not all for the Colorado and Canyon, as the optional 2.8L Duramax diesel engine is on the horizon for the 2016 model year. Meanwhile, four cylinder gasoline fuel economy offerings have been made official, and are roughly 1 mpg better than the six-bangers. To compare to their larger and more expensive siblings, the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, the best they can muster from their 4.3L gasoline V6 and six-speed automatic gearboxes are 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined… until GM mates its new 8-speed to those motors.
Comments
Hope to see this Colorado in global markets.
So the 4.3L wouldn’t do better in these trucks?
I think so, all you would need is a taller gear in the axle! Could it be, that it would be too close to the diesel numbers and would steal some hype away from it!
Maybe in a few years?
So glad I take delivery on a 2012 Silverado LTZ Z71 tomorrow. Cheaper (fully loaded vs fully loaded), bigger (inside specifically), and V8. A comparable Canyon (3.6, crew cab, 4×4, leather, nav, sun roof, heated and cooled seats, Bose/premium audio, Z71/All Terrain etc) is likely $40,000+ plus tax. For the $10k saved, and even with lesser fuel economy, that’s a lot of gas and accessories I can put into my truck.
I was dead set on a Canyon, even more so after I was in one at Detroit, but when the dust settled it just didn’t make sense for me. For someone *needing* new, it’s better to go 2014 Sierra/Rado double cab with 4.3, Z71, and leather.. $40k and 0% financing.
Not too shabby, although I was hoping for somewhat better numbers for the V6. I’m very curious to see the diesel’s ratings.
GM has to be careful here. The are two reasons why other manufacturers let go of the segment entirely: 1. Customers could pay a little more to get A LOT more truck by choosing a half ton. 2.The difference in fuel economy wasn’t there, so why buy small ( for example, Tacoma 4×4 21 mpg highway vs Silverado 4×4 V8’s 22mpg highway).
Colorado’s 24 mpg isn’t anything to write home about, either, the gap will have to be bigger to sell the mid sizers.
Broken record, I know, but where’s the manual / diesel / 4×4 combo? It’d get 30+ mpg easily. No real men out there?
The numbers price and MPG are about where I expected them to be. You always wish for more but the reality is trucks are expensive and heavy.
I think what many miss is while this is not full size it is not exactly S10 small either. Also what many forget is many of us got out of the truck market as we did not want the larger full size truck but can be lured back to a truck like this.
I still predict we have not seen all this play out yet. This is a glimpse of the future of the half ton market is my gut feeling. The MFG keep talking mass and even all aluminum a half ton is still a heavy truck and MPG will still be limited below the needed future standards.
I really expect them to make the half ton trucks for and more expensive as right now a half ton crew 4×4 well equipped will sticker at near $50K with a V8. Make it out of aluminum and the price will only climb.
I just see that they will change their strategy with the truck markets in the future and this is only a piece of the puzzle. GM not has a smaller truck, Ford will follow with the one they have overseas and Dodge is said to be looking at this too but they are behind on all their products so their decision may come late.
Either way I do not want or need a full size truck and a smaller extended cab would suit my needs well.
Note too my last 4 GM cars all beat the EPA listings and I am sure they will come off sticker on these too so a loaded crew may be bought for below $35K in the future after supplies are ample.
We will just have to watch this one play out as I expect we will see more moves when the next gen full size arrives.
Take a good look the truck market will fundamentally change over the next 10 year more than it ever has,
Your entire comments make a lot of sense. I had a Colorado 2006 model and loved it! It got above average on fuel also. It was the right size for me as a woman and small statute as well. I love the truck and saw it at DC Auto show. Option of rear window was and is my draw back because its not offered until next year on the truck. WAITING!
CAFE requirements favor building bigger trucks. It is pure stupidity. Smaller trucks have the advantage of better handling, shorter braking distance, easier parking and maneuvering even if the mileage is only marginally better. 99% of these trucks don’t get used for their intended purposes and next to no one tows trailers that are 12000 lbs. For the fraction of a percent that do have at it.. But most of you just look stupid for pissing away money on gas and annoying other drivers by blocking their view.
That’s all GM can do is a disappointing 26 MPG in these over hyped mid sizers…!!!
The new 2015 F150 with its lighter aluminum body, super aerodynamics and powerful n efficient 2.7 V 6 EcoBoost is going to BEAT these GM mid sizers n prove GM strategy wrong…!!!
BIG Surprise coming from Ford real soon… Gonna shock the truck market n give GM a heart attack… !!!
Note; will many buyers pay $4000 premium for the 2.8 Diesel… Not likely!
While the 2.7 EcoBoost is only $495…!!!!
You go right ahead and drive that pig. The F150 will still be hefty and when you put all that weight on that puny motor you will be in the Eco”Boost” all the time netting way less mileage than advertised. Just like my friend who was blindly sold on the 3.5 in his F150. He’s getting 16 mpg on average and 9 mpg while towing his boat. That is the same I used to get when I had a 2001 2500HD with a 8.1L. Those who don’t need a full-size will be happy with the new Colorado/Canyon twins’ economy and capabilities. It will only get better once the diesel or the 8 speed is offered for the V6 and I4. I would rather buy for myself a fully contented Colorado or Canyon and have it do all the work that I would use a full size for, than a de-contented or used and abused full-size just to say I got a V8 an EcoBoost, or a really good deal.
If there has been any vehicle of late that is overhyped, it has been the aluminum F150 with the boosted motors.
How about the 2.5L 4 cylinder colorado EPA MPG numbers? Suspect it will get 20mpg city/28hwy minimum.
Those who don’t understand diesels, what the can do and can’t do, will never get why someone would pay more to get what they misconstrue, as just a higher milage vehicle. But higher milage is not the only reason why a percentage of us, would lay out more money for a diesel.
It’s a proven fact that diesels last much longer than gasoline engines, primarily because of the self oiling factors of the fuel itself. The main argument for buying a diesel, is the massive torque the diesel engine. 4 cylinder diesels get closer to 300 pounds of torque. This allows the diesel to pull heavy loads without breaking a sweat.
Many of us apply the pot of porridge theory to the vehicles we buy… and the upcoming Colorado diesel fits the bill… Not too heavy of a load, not to light of a load. Boats that aren’t cruise ships, and rv trailers that aren’t Taj Mahals. Throw in a 8 speed transmission, and the milage chart will be shocking.
Heres to a pot of porridge… That’s just right for some of us. All we have to do is wait for 2016.
Well said. Really like the analogy. A slight temperature difference in porridge can make all the difference. For some. Still gotta wait for the diesel version to know which one (could) be just right, for me.
The beauty of the Little 2.7 V6 EcoBoost in the new F150 is the CGI engine block that is same as big Diesel engines n gives this 2.7 the ability to use high compression ratio just like a diesel…!
That’s part of the reason it produces 375 ft lbs of torque at low rpm… Just like a diesel n efficient like one too!!!
Remember the 7000 lb towing challenge at Davis Dam where this 2.7 kicked the Ram EcoDiesels butt n beat the Chevy 5.3 V8….!!!
The little 2.5 I4 is going to be a gutless motor in the twins….. Who cares!!!!!
Chevrolet has a build now section on their website for the Colorado up so we can get an idea of price. Building a fully loaded Z71 4×4 crew cab runs between 36 & 38k, depending on how many accessories you add. A similarly equipped Silverado double cab starts at 36k before any options. So the Colorado is priced about right vs. similar full-sized trucks.
like others I was hoping for higher mpg though. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the previous Colorado only get 1 or 2 mpg over Silverados back then, which was part of their problem?
The Colorado is also sized perfectly for folks, like myself, who have young children, occasionally tow more than 5000 lbs., ( has a wife who has trouble driving a full-size), and needs to haul various things on a regular basis. This is the reason I currently drive a Frontier (the previous Colorado couldn’t meet by towing needs) but as with other folks here am awaiting the arrival of the diesel in the Colorado.
Buy the way Greg the 2015 Fort is not out yet, not until the late fall . So if you are going to compare this trucks, you will have to wait until they are actually out!
To be honest, I am a bit disappointed in the numbers for the 3.6 V6. They could have been better and I know they could have been better. I was expecting around 21 City and 29 Highway and GM could have gotten there by implementing standard Stop/Start on non-diesel models, adding Intake Variable Valve Lift to the 3.6, and using their new 8-speed automatic. I just hope for GM’s sake that they know what they’re doing in terms of fuel efficiency as the the CAFE regulations are coming quickly and at GM’s current rate, they will get a big slap in the face. Like I said, the technology is there, why not use it?