2016 Chevy Colorado Diesel Gets 31.4 Highway MPG In Independent Testing
By Paulo Acoba
Emissions Analytics has just published their findings on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and things are looking good for the 2.8 Turbo Diesel.
Chevrolet has been conducting its first set of first drive events across the country and while they’re more than happy to laud the efficiency, power and smoothness, of its latest engine entrant into the family, the 2.8-liter turbo diesel, they’ve been all but mum on MPG figures. Earlier yesterday (Oct. 14, 2015) Motor Trends truck arm of the magazine, Truck Trend, went ahead and unveiled their findings from Emissions Analytics and it looks like the 2.8 liter Duramax is a lot more efficient than previously thought. Emissions analytics ran the turbo diesel through what they called a controlled mixed test loop and they found that they 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Diesel returned 23.3 MPG in the city and 31.4 MPG on the highway for a combined score of 26.3 MPG.
While these numbers may not be what the EPA will come up with, the test loop that emissions analytics utilizes comes darn close to the official numbers. When EA tested the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, they achieved 20 MPG City and 28 MPG highway which were the exact same numbers that the EPA came up with. So when GM claims that they have the “Most Efficient Pickup” on the market, you’d have better believe it.
As far as first driving impressions of the 2.8L diesel max, there’s been nothing but praise from motoring journalists. Autoblog recently took one out for an extended test drive and found the turbo-diesel surprisingly refined and quiet almost to a fault (it was too quiet for their liking.) Other than that, the fact that it had the ability to tow 7000 pounds and was still just as polished as its gas siblings all bodes well for the oil burner.
And as for increased scrutiny thanks to dieselgate, owners can rest assured that emissions were never tampered with and what VW did shouldn’t erode what confidence they have in GM products.
Next: The 10 Best Scandal-Free Diesels