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Test Drive: 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax Diesel

Colorado Diesel Mileage

Colorado Diesel Mileage

2016 Colorado Diesel, Colorado Diesel Mileage
2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71

2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 4WD Crew Short Box 

Class: Compact Pickup Truck

Miles Driven: 229

Fuel Used: 10.4 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 22.0 mpg

Driving mix: 75% city, 25% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 20/29/23 (city, highway, combined)

CG Report Card
Room and ComfortC+
Power and PerformanceB+
Fit and FinishA-
Fuel EconomyB+
ValueB-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big GuyC
Tall GuyB-
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Base price: $34,640 (not including $895 destination charge)

Options on test car: Duramax diesel engine ($3905), Assist Steps ($745), Bose premium-audio system ($500), navigation system ($495), spray-on bed liner ($475), tow package ($250)

Price as tested: $41,905

 

Quick Hits

The great: Class-leading fuel economy, refined driving experience

The good: Impressive off-road ability

The not so good: Price of Duramax diesel option, ride quality with Z71 suspension

Click here for more Colorado price and availability information

 

John Biel

It seems that we’ve gone down this road before, just not the same way.

If that sounds nonsensical, let me explain. In 2015, Consumer Guide® editors test-drove a Chevrolet Colorado compact pickup. It had Z71 trim and equipment, four-wheel drive, a four-door crew cab, and the shorter of two available cargo beds. Now they’ve driven the same vehicle as a 2016 model. However, where the ’15 job had a 3.6-liter gasoline V6, this latest Colorado came with a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel four-cylinder engine.

Handy steps molded into the outer edges of the rear bumper make it a bit easier to access the cargo bed.

The 181-horsepower turbodiesel powerplant is one of the few 2016 changes of note to the truck that, with its companion GMC Canyon, is CG’s “Best Buy” in the lightly attended compact-pickup class. (Other changes include the addition of Apple CarPlay capability for the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, and the availability of a multicolor driver-information display.) Yes, the diesel represents a change, but it’s not necessarily an improvement.

CG Real-World Fuel Economy: 2016 GMC Canyon Duramax Diesel

The 2.8-liter Duramax engine may be thrifty on fuel, but it’s also expensive to buy. Dull throttle response is another drawback of this diesel.

For starters, the Duramax doesn’t always feel very powerful, even though its peak torque rating is 369 lb-ft. Beyond that, it’s just so-so for fuel-economy (though Consumer Guide did see almost 3-mpg better mileage with a nearly identical GMC Canyon driven mostly at highway speeds), and it is expensive. The turbodiesel added $3905 to the cost of the test truck, which otherwise would have come with the 305-horsepower V6.

Green-light sprints have never been the strong suit of diesels, but the test Colorado was noticeably reluctant to react to the accelerator. Midrange performance was a little better. Once at highway speeds, a determined press of the pedal is followed by a wisp of a wait for the turbo to kick in, and then the pace picks up. Diesel-truck owners who like their diesel truck to sound like a diesel truck won’t be disappointed with the Colorado. There’s a healthy dose of clatter upon start-up. EPA ratings for the turbodiesel/six-speed automatic powerteam are 20 mpg in city driving, 29 on the highway. With 80 percent city-style driving during a 124-mile stint, this reviewer averaged 23.6 mpg—fractionally better than the feds’ combined-mileage estimate—but that was with no load and just yours truly aboard. (The Duramax is outfitted for towing, with a tow/haul mode, trailer-brake controller, and exhaust brake included in the option price.)

In most other respects, driving the 2016 Colorado was a reprise of the 2015 test:   

Colorado interior pictures

The Z71’s off-road suspension may make the Colorado more trail worthy, but it has a detrimental impact on ride quality.

The 2016 starting price for the Colorado Z71 four-wheel-drive crew cab is up by about $500 from ’15, coming in at $34,640. That covers features like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, rear-vision camera, bumper-corner steps, EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate, automatic locking rear differential, transfer-case shield, hill-descent control, front recovery hooks, projector-beam headlamps, fog lamps, cast-aluminum wheels, automatic air conditioning, satellite radio, remote start, four-way power adjusters for both front seats, and sliding rear window. However, the test truck’s bottom line bulked up to a considerable $41,905 with delivery. The engine swap had the most to do with that, but an audio-system upgrade, navigation, a trailering package, spray-on bedliner, and bulky side assist steps (a dealer-installed item) all played a part. Still, for ride, room, and overall utility, the Chevy Colorado remains a top choice among smaller pickups.

Test Drive: 2015 GMC Canyon SLT V6

 

Tom Appel

My two takeaways from driving this diesel powered Chevrolet Colorado: First, the Duramax diesel is much more frugal when operating at highway speeds. While that’s true of most engines, the 24.8 mpg we saw in a test GMC Canyon driven mostly on the Interstate is pretty impressive for truck of this mass. Second, I really dislike what the Z71 suspension setup does to the Colorado’s ride. And, as I have driven a non-Z71 Canyon off road, and been impressed by its capability, and I don’t even see the value for anyone but serious rock pounders. All that said, I really like these trucks. I will pass on the diesel and its stiff $4000 levy, and stick with the smooth, potent, and not unfrugal V6.

Colorado’s available assist steps are perfect for shorter folks, but are smudge threat to the pant legs of taller passengers.

Future Car: 2019 Ford Ranger

 

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