General Motors’ midsize pickup trucks get a new turbo-diesel engine for 2016
that makes them the most fuel-efficient haulers on the road
By Jim Gorzelany
CTW Features
Chevrolet recently made headlines when it announced that its Colorado midsize pickup — along with its near twin at GMC, the Canyon — would become the most fuel-efficient pickups in the U.S. when fitted with a new Duramax diesel engine. The Environmental Protection Agency rates both versions at 22/31-mpg city/highway, with a 650-mile range on a full tank of fuel.
And while that impressive economy comes from a tidy 2.8-liter four-cylinder engine, it’s no slowpoke, as we can attest after taking a Duramax-equipped Colorado out for a test drive at a recent press event outside of Chicago.
The 2.8L turbo-diesel generates 181 horsepower, and while that might not sound particularly impressive, it does so with a strong 369 lb-ft of torque. The latter makes it feel like a much larger V6 engine, affording lively launches and plenty of passing power on demand. At that it remains smooth on the uptake and relatively quiet, even with the accelerator pushed all the way to the floorboards.
We had no trouble reaching highway speeds in a snap and breezing past traffic at a quick clip. Though we didn’t have a V6-fitted model to evaluate back-to-back, the diesel felt every bit as lively — perhaps even more so — than the six-cylinder Colorado we extensively tested a year earlier.
Maximum towing capacity with the diesel is 7,700 pounds (7,600 with 4WD) when properly equipped, which handily beats the Colorado’s 3.6-liter V6 with a 7,000-pound rating.
Available on LT and LTZ Crew Cab models, the Duramax engine uses a urea-based exhaust system treatment to flush out pollutants and gain its EPA-certified “clean diesel” status. This liquid treatment must be replenished periodically, which Chevrolet recommends with every oil change; it’s easily accomplished via a specific location adjacent to the fuel filler cap. And no, this is not something an inattentive owner can easily ignore; after a few dashboard warnings, once the urea becomes depleted the truck will engage a “limp” mode that will restrict the engine’s performance until it’s topped off.
As for the rest of the truck, the Chevrolet Colorado remains a stalwart performer, with a smooth ride and easily maneuverable handling, though choosing the Z71 off-road suspension brings added harshness over bumps and jolts.
Inside, occupants are treated to an attractive and functionally designed cabin with large and legible instrumentation. Seating is comfortable and supportive with ample legroom for the driver and front passenger — though rear legroom in Crew Cab models can get tight depending on how far back the front seats are adjusted — with plenty of headroom all around.
The optional MyLink infotainment system is refreshingly easy to master, and features a touchscreen display, voice commands, smartphone connectivity with text messaging alerts and Apple Car Play newly available for iPhone users; a full Android phone interface will be available later in the model year. A long list of available features includes heated seats, built-in 4G LTE Internet connectivity and both forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems to help drivers avoid getting into crashes.
While a 5-foot 2-inch cargo box comes standard on extended cab models, a 6-foot-2-inch box included with long-wheelbase Crew Cabs than enables carrying full sheets of building materials with the tailgate down; both include rear corner steps for easy bed access.
Unfortunately, the diesel commands a price premium of $3,730 over a comparably equipped V6 model, which (at least at today’s gasoline and diesel prices) makes it difficult, if not impossible, to recover in fuel savings alone.
Still, as the Colorado’s marketing and advertising manager Jessica Rogers points out, the Colorado is already “ideal for active owners needing to transport dirt bikes or sports equipment without otherwise mucking up the inside of an SUV,” with the Duramax-equipped version being, “the perfect combination of power, range and efficiency.”
© CTW Features