New Colorado and Canyon V6 and Trans Lower Fuel Economy

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
11-09-2016

In a surprising result, the new 3.6-liter V6 and new transmission for 2017 in the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado LOWER the combined fuel economy of each by 1 MPG from 20 MPG to 19 in the 4WD versions and from 21 to 20 MPG in the 2WD trucks. The new engines do boost power by about 3 hp to 308, and torque is up by 6 ft-lbs, but at the same 4,000 RPMs.

Clearly, GM didn't intend for the new drivetrain to drop by 1 MPG. Our guess, and this is only based on our general knowledge of the subject, is that GM is taking a more conservative approach to its MPG ratings. We have noticed many manufacturers have been doing this as the 2017 numbers come out. A recent example is the Mazda6. The EPA is calculating its fuel economy results differently in 2017 and many models will see such a dip.

 

These results now mean that the Toyota Tacoma has a 1 MPG advantage than the Colorado and Canyon when equipped with its automatic transmission. Researching the Tacoma we noticed that its manual V6 MPG dropped by 1 MPG for 2017.

 

It's not our job to just speculate, so GM-trucks.com has reached out to the Chevrolet spokesperson responsible for the Colorado to see if an answer is available. We will update our readers pending more information.

[newdude]

Sounds logical, plus they have the diesel available to lure those aiming for more MPGs as well.

[Gorehamj]

Thanks 15HDriver. I got some more info after your post and I edited the story a bit.

[Super 8]

3.6 is not a fuel friendly engine, I have one in a caddy CTS-4 that gets the fuel economy that is listed above in a car. This is a solid 2 mpg less that the Northstar V'8's I have had in the past. Just think how the 5.3 would do in this smaller platform.

[[email protected]]

I had a 4.3 L V6 in my '03 Sonoma and it was available in earlier Canyon's and Colorodo's. Why go to the smaller 3.6L V6?