Chevrolet Colorado Duramax Averages 33 MPG During 186-Mile Run
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We recently visited Alberta, Canada, for the eighth annual EcoRun event hosted by the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC). Among the wide variety of vehicles brought to the event by carmakers to test out real-world energy consumption was a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax with the 2.8L LWN turbo-diesel engine.
Our run in Chevy’s diesel-powered midsize truck began in Calgary, where we were asked to follow a route that went through Alberta’s vast farmland, and all the way to Banff, 4,537 feet above sea level in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. During the 186-mile-long adventure, the GM Authority team recorded an average of 33 MPG fuel consumption in the Colorado Duramax.
The 33 MPG figure was recorded during both highway and city driving, with the final stretch of the run mostly performed on ascending terrain. Average speed was 65 mph.
While the majority of the vehicles taking part in the EcoRun were hybrids, full electric vehicles and gasoline-powered ones, the Colorado Diesel was the only diesel-powered truck there.
The Chevrolet Colorado Duramax is powered by the turbodiesel 2.8-liter LWN I4 rated at 181 horsepower 369 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder diesel engine is mated to an automatic 6L50 six-speed transmission.
Not only was the observed fuel economy in our Colorado Duramax impressive for a not-so-small pickup truck, but it also bested some hybrid vehicles that were also competing in the event. The 2020 Ford Explorer hybrid, a brand new, completely-redesigned three-row crossover SUV, which relies on electrification to save fuel, only managed a 30 mpg average in similar conditions.
The Chevrolet Colorado Duramax isn’t just a fuel efficient truck, but it’s also the reigning champ when it comes to towing, sporting a 7,700-pound maximum tow rating capacity – the highest in its segment. And even with new players that have entered the space, including the new Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator, the Chevrolet Colorado remains a sales leader, only beaten by the Toyota Tacoma.
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First, the Ford Explorer Hybrid is a larger and heavier vehicle. Put the same weight in that Colorado and compare. Second, GM could (and still can) make the Colorado a PHEV with the Chevy Volt power train, and get over 45 MPG. Even the Chevy Spark can get more torque than the Diesel Colorado.
Ray that is actually not a true or complete statement.
The Ford Explorer Hybrid weight is 4345
The crew Colorado diesel 4462 for base extended cab to 4748 for crew long bed.
The one in this test is around 4600 pounds.
Second you they could add the Volt system here with the Diesel but it would cost more than $50,000 and few would buy it. The deal is just because you can do it still does not make it affordable or popular outside a small cult of followers.
The Diesel along cost more and is at the limit what most would pay.
It is ok to for you to have an opinion but please try to keep the accurate numbers and other considerations factual.
Scott3?
What?
I drive a ’17 Colorado diesel, crew cab, long bed. 32k miles so far. All trouble free and it’s a great truck. The lifetime MPG as measured by the truck itself is 28.2. I usually get around 30 mpg in the warmer months and then less in the winter when I have it in 4wd more often. My driving is a mix of local and highway with a majority of highway miles. I usually drive between 65 and 75 mph on the highway. The truck spends most of its time in northern NH (cold and snowy in the winter) and MA.
This is what killed the diesel Equinox/Cruze on paper at least, a vehicle that gets this type of mileage but superior capabilities and profit margin for GM. GM had a good August for all the CUV/truck but sucks if you wanted something smaller/cheaper from GM, unless it’s an electric or sold world-wide they won’t invest.
Now if it were tuned and deleted, it would return 38mpg. But the EPA wont let us have nice things
The big three are going to be in the same predicament they were in 1974 when the first oil embargo hit. Their decision to cease car production in favor of cuv/suv and truck production and leaving car production to the foreign manufacturers will bite them in the butt. The price of gas has all ready went up $.17 per gallon because Iran attacked Saudi oil fields. Those 15-25 mpg vehicles will be traded in for 30-35 mpg cars if it keeps climbing, it always does. Then the Japanese will be kings again.
Well this time it is much different. We are not driving 9 mpg large sedans.
Today we are driving smaller CUV models that are getting three and 4 times the mpg.
Sure the Spark and Sonic may get a couple more mpg but few people want or buy them.
The Trax and Equinox get great mpg and actually can haul something.
I don’t see people trading out much.
Also with the relaxed regulations we are now pumping more oil. We can turn it up more if needed and will when called upon.
Wow could of had a V8 !!!