The Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel hits that sweet spot of power, capability, and efficiency, offering up impressive fuel economy in a full-size pickup package. Impressively, the Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel is so efficient, it bests the Chevy Colorado diesel with regard to official fuel economy ratings.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Per the EPA, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel offers 23 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined when equipped with 2WD, with an annual fuel cost estimate of $1,400. Meanwhile, the 2021 Chevy Colorado diesel is rated at 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, with an annual estimated fuel cost of $1,650.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Naturally, adding extra drive wheels to the equation dings the fuel economy ratings a bit, with the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel 4WD rated at 22 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined, with an annual estimated fuel cost of $1,600. Meanwhile, 2021 Chevy Colorado diesel 4WD models are rated at 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with an annual estimated fuel cost of $1,700.
| Model | Engine | Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado | Turbo 3.0L I6 LM2 | 2WD | 23 | 33 | 27 |
| Silverado | Turbo 3.0L I6 LM2 | 4WD | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| Colorado | Turbo 2.8L I4 LWN | 2WD | 20 | 30 | 23 |
| Colorado | Turbo 2.8L I4 LWN | 4WD | 19 | 28 | 22 |
| Colorado ZR2 | Turbo 2.8L I4 LWN | 4WD | 18 | 22 | 19 |
Chevy Silverado
Chevy Colorado
Although the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel is both bigger and heavier than the 2021 Chevy Colorado, it also has a much more modern engine, namely the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax, which produces 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the 2021 Chevy Colorado diesel is equipped with the 2.8L I4 LWN turbodiesel Duramax, which produces 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
What’s more, the Silverado runs a much more modern transmission, namely the 10-speed MQB 10L80 automatic, while the Colorado is equipped with the six-speed MYB 6L50.
Add it all up, and the Chevy Silverado 1500 diesel puts down some impressive fuel returns, even when judged against the lighter, smaller Chevy Colorado.
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Comments
I have a 2020 SIlverado 1500 RST Double cab w/ Z71 package and in everyday mixed driving i never get below 26 mpg combined. On the highway its 34-30mpg based on the topography. Has 12,000 trouble free miles and is a great truck. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a truck
Have you had any cold starts? When I lived in St Paul MN I had a 04 GMC Sierra with the LB7. With temps down to -30 to -40 F it would always start. Keeping it running was the issue, the fuel would gel in the filter, causing the engine to stall. I would have to hand prime the filter to get it to restart.
The coldest it was here in Virginia was 0 degrees F and there was no problem starting and driving off. Its not as cold as Minnesota.
If your fuel is gelling its the fuels fault and not the truck or filter.
I realize that. I was just curious to know if a remedy to the issue, other than adding conditioner to the fuel, has been developed.
Don’t buy just any fuel conditioner ,Please–like from someone who claims his to be good.
Go to a Dealer that runs equipment in the far north—tar sand or forestry, Like John Deere or Caterpillar—pay a little more and get your moneys worth—and at the same time their products will keep your injectors clean.
Lots of fly by nights out there that will just cost you money and are of no benefit.
Ask any long distance professional truck driver. They will tell you the truth, that the fuel conditioner sold at truck stops, usually in a half gallon size, works wonders. Not only does to help starting in extreme cold, you know it works because you get a slight touch of better response when the go pedal is pushed and you also get better MPG. As a cross border straight truck driver working out of Toronto, i often drove 5,000 KM per week, so a few tanks of fuel with a name brand fuel conditioner shows up quickly. It also helps big time when driving from a warm climate like Florida and hauling fresh fruit to Canada in the winter, where the huge difference in temps, means a more likely chance of water, condensation, forming in the fuel. Anyone who tells you anything different is blowing smoke. Ask a professional.
I would consider myself a professional regarding what I wrote.
I live close to Saskatoon,Sakatchewan and the cold weather out here can hang around for a long cold length of time.
How about chopping 2 cylinders off the 3.0 Duramax so it fits in the Colorado engine bay? Rough math is 2.0L
Or are the days of all new ice gone?
Still don’t understand how Silverado diesel loses 7 mpg going from 2wd to 4wd. The 5.3 V8 only loses 1 mpg. Something doesn’t add up.
The ratings look at the average weight of vehicles produced in each configuration. People buying premium engine 4WD models tend to get crew cabs and load it with features, whereas base engine 2WD trucks are bare-bones work trucks.
Guess that could be part of it, but still… 2WD is 23/33 (city/highway) for both 2020 and the 2021 model. The 2020 4WD is 23/29 (a reasonable difference). The 2021 is 22/26. Plus, bare bones trucks with the 4 banger or the 4.3, affect the EPA rating of the diesel? Doesn’t seem sensible (not to say it doesn’t happen).
26 is the mixed, 30 hwy. Someone got fat fingers
If they could build the new Colorado to accept the 3.0 that would be outstanding. A Colorado would likely get 35 mpg on the highway with that engine and a 10 speed. I doubt the new Colorado will see a diesel option, likely the 2.7T will be the only option. The 2.8 is gone and wont be coming back. I doubt they would build a new motor just for the Colorado. Making the 3.0 fit would be the easiest solution assuming that is possible and what a powerhouse that would be.
I have the Colorado diesel and it’s been very impressive over the 2 years I have owned it,
And at 50% better fuel mileage than the previous 4 Rangers I have owned.
I do agree the new 3.0 1500 inline 6 is extremely impressive to get the fuel mileage it does for a full sized truck….
If the mandate is to get mileage numbers up than diesel is the way to go.
Rob
I am happy with my 2016 Colorado diesel… I have it tuned so it gets a couple extra mpgs also has more power… the stock 2.8 was slow and yes it would be nice if it had an 8 speed transmission
The 2.8 is an excellent motor.
The Colorado needs the 10 speed auto.
My Chevy Colorado is the worst truck I’ve ever owned. And it’s shocking how it’s fuel economy can be so terrible. One likely cause is the fact that my Colorado hovers between 1800-2200 rpm almost indefinitely, and is always happy to downshift. The fact that the manual mode doesn’t allow the driver to upshift is an even bigger slap to the face. The 2.8 duramax is a good engine, but for being a modern engine it gets a failing grade for its noise, vibration, and harshness. A 2006 audi TDI is 100 times smoother, and more fuel efficient.
I had a 2017 Colorado with the 2.8 desiel 4×4 crew cab it got 30mpg on the free way
Ok
I agree it’s a very efficient diesel.
But it also a very spooky motor.
Aluminum block and heads running very hot.
Variable pressure oil pump that runs at very low oil pressure so not to waste any fuel turning the pump.
The pump has a wet belt drive. Running in hot dirty motor oil.
This engine doesn’t have a thermostat but a variable rotating assembly valve, that the computer decides what part of the motor gets coolant. They have already had multiple failures of this bad design….
They have the exhaust catalyst, including the DPF as close as possible to the exhaust to keep it hot and lessening the needs for frequent regens. This is a good idea but it caused GM to lower the overall tow rating of the truck for fear of damaging the DPF with to much heat.
They use 0-20 oil to lower pumping losses. But at what cost to the life of the motor?
I will not use that oil in my wife’s Subaru. I would rather take a tiny hit on mileage and use a better oil like 5-30….
Yes it’s efficient. But they have built in so many failure points.
Today’s diesels are unreliable at the best because of all the exhaust BS and all the sensors to monitor temp and pressure before and after the DPF. Then the sensors for DEF. oxygen sensors ect ect ect
It’s a nightmare.
Now add all the extra BS the motor has………. Very spooky
Don’t get me wrong. I really like the truck but this is a lease as long as it’s under warranty then give it back truck.
Fixing this after warranty will bankrupt you…..
Put a regular oil pump in it. Scrap the water valve and put in a normal thermostat.
Use at least 5-30 motor oil.
How many mpg would you loose?
How much more reliable would it be?
Why does this design use so much def fluid?
Rob
50,000 on my ’17 Colorado diesel. Most of the time it’s in 2WD but other times it’s towed and had a mix of 4WD high and even low when offroad. Lifetime mpg is 28.5. No out of pocket expenses other than scheduled maintenance. Love this truck.