2015 Chevy Canyon, GMC Colorado to net up to 27 mpg with 4-cylinder
Mon, 22 Sep 2014Before even officially going on sale to customers, the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup twins are already proving to be a success with dealer orders exceeding original projections. Now, there is even more good news for these siblings, with the fuel economy for their four-cylinder engines netting class-leading numbers and the 3.6-liter V6 getting segment-best payload ratings.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the two trucks makes 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, and in rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual trim it has an EPA rating of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Opting for a two-wheel drive configuration with the six-speed automatic bumps those figures slightly to 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Finally, a four-wheel drive model with the automatic 'box carries a 19/25/21 rating. Those numbers are a tick better here and there compared to what's offered by the optional V6.
The twins' major four-cylinder, midsize pickup rivals are the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, but they're both getting somewhat long in the tooth. To compare fuel economy and power, a two-wheel drive Tacoma with its 2.7-liter four-cylinder is rated at 159 hp and 180 lb-ft, and achieves 21/25/22 mpg. The Frontier with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder is good for 152 hp and 171 lb-ft, and carries 19/23/21 mpg figures.
The V6 payload ratings are also class leading, with the Colorado rated at 1,590 pounds and the Canyon at 1,620 pounds. According to parent General Motors, the 30-pound deviation is due to different curb weights for the models.
The Colorado and Canyon are already on their way to dealers. Scroll down to read the full fuel economy announcement about these midsize trucks.
Colorado and Canyon Will Lead Midsize Pickup Segment in Four-Cylinder Fuel Economy and Payload
DETROIT – The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will offer segment-leading highway fuel efficiency for four-cylinder midsize pickup trucks, according to EPA fuel economy estimates. The Canyon will also offer segment-leading payload ratings. No competitor in the segment offers more payload capacity than the Colorado or Canyon.
The all-new midsize trucks, powered by the 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 2WD and available 6-speed automatic transmission, will have an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, for a combined 22 mpg rating overall.
Trucks outfitted with 4WD will have EPA-estimated 19 city mpg and 25 mpg highway for a combined 21 mpg, giving Colorado and Canyon segment-leading highway fuel efficiency and segment-leading power for a four-cylinder models with automatic transmissions.
With the 3.6L V-6 engine, payload ratings for the Colorado and Canyon are 1,590 pounds and 1,620 pounds, respectively. The difference is due to slight differences in curb weight – the Canyon has alloy wheels standard while the standard wheels on the Colorado are slightly heavier steel wheels.
"Offering segment-leading four-cylinder fuel economy is yet another item to add to the Chevrolet Colorado's long list of segment leads," said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. "It shows once again how the midsize segment can benefit from a fresh competitor offering the latest technologies."
"The 2015 GMC Canyon uses innovations like available active grille shutters, which close to get the most out of every gallon of fuel and open when more air is needed, like when transporting heavy loads" said Kenn Bakowski, Canyon marketing manager. "Having segment-leading V-6 and four-cylinder efficiency, plus the highest payload rating, proves GMC has applied the latest technologies in just the right places, and our customers reap the benefits."
Colorado and Canyon fuel economy
|
Engine |
Transmission |
Drive |
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates |
||
|
City |
Combined |
Highway |
|||
|
200-hp 2.5L I-4 with direct fuel injection and continuously variable valve timing |
6-speed automatic |
2wd |
20 |
22 |
27 |
|
4x4 |
19 |
21 |
25 |
||
|
6-Speed manual |
2wd |
19 |
22 |
26 |
|
The Colorado and Canyon began shipping to dealers last week. For the 2016 model year, Colorado and Canyon will add a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel to the engine lineup. Technical details and EPA fuel economy estimates will be available closer to launch.
With the introduction of Colorado and Canyon, Chevrolet and GMC will offer customers more pickup choices than any other brand, including midsize, full-size light duty and heavy-duty pickups.
About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
About GMC
GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.
By Chris Bruce
See also: 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition goes dark, looks good, GM dealers have ordered 30k Colorado and Canyon pickups, 3rd shift added, No carbon fiber was harmed in the making of new 2015 GMC Sierra Carbon Edition.