First Drive: 2016 Chevrolet & GMC 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine

[Zane]

Zane Merva & John Goreham

GM-Trucks.com

10/16/2015

 

The time has finally arrived. You are just weeks away from being able to buy General Motor’s 2.8L Duramax Diesel in the midsize Colorado and Canyon. Two GM-Trucks.com staffers recently had a chance to take a 2016 GMC Canyon with this engine for a spin and here’s what we thought.

 

Zane:

The 2.8L Duramax is an engine that will extend the capability of the Colorado and Canyon to within a stone's throw of the full-size Silverado and Sierra. From the moment you turn the key, there’s no mistaking this as a diesel engine. Noticeably louder than GM’s other gas engine offerings, owners will probably enjoy that their pickup sounds remarkably similar to the bigger 6.6L Duramax V8.

 

In our short drive time we were impressed by the massive amounts of low end torque for a vehicle of this size. 369 lb-ft of torque at only 2,000 rpm goes a long way. However, with only 181-horsepower, the Canyon 4x4 crew cab we drove didn’t feel as quick as its 3.6L gas-powered counterpart.

 

Point the nose of the GMC up a steep hill and the Duramax diesel’s benefits are immediately apparent. Nothing is going to stop this truck once it gets moving and you feel like the hand of God has your back. Acceleration is smooth and linear through the entire engine range. That’s the experience diesel truck buyers want and GM has given it to them. Bolder, louder and purposeful in nature.

 

Oh and did we mention fuel economy? Prepare to be impressed. We saw over 30 mpg on our drive loop. GM executive Mark Reuss confirmed to us that the final EPA number should be very close to our results. That would place the Colorado and Canyon has the most fuel efficient trucks you could buy.

 

No wonder GM is exploring options to increase the number of Colorado and Canyon it can build.

 

 

John:

What struck me first was the great look of the Canyon. Particularly from the front ¾ view. I had just left off-road testing in a 2016 Tacoma and in terms of looks, the Canyon wins hands-down. My tester was a $45,280 SLT Crew Cab with 4WD. Trucks are expensive now, but this one had it all. Premium Bose audio and Nav ($500), Spray in bedliner ($475) and Chrome assist steps ($725). I was impressed that the Canyon had Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert at no extra charge. That will cost you $500 on a Tacoma. The biggest single adder was the $3,730 Duramax engine. Although that buys a lot of gasoline, the Duramax has benefits beyond fuel economy to its fans.

 

 

Hills surrounded the venue we were attending, and they were steep. Like Zane, I was immediately impressed by how strong the Canyon I drove felt. I too noted the fuel economy. Over the past 50 miles that it had been driven in rural NY the vehicle had averaged 22.2 MPG and its peak had been 34.5 MPG (according to the truck).

 

 

Writers at this event were passing up track time in a Corvette to drive the Canyon on-road. It was one of the most popular vehicles at the event. The new Canyon and Colorado Duramax will not disappoint. GM is proud of this new truck, and as Zane’s interview with Mark Reuss proves, GM is looking hard for places to build more. The Canyon Duramax looks, drives, and acts like a winner.

 

[newdude]

Sounds good to me. Not going to win races but its got the grunt the V6 wishes it had.

[Half_ton]

Now a larger version in the 1500 series!

[BIGDOGx]

Sounds like a success, but would of been nice to see gm update the headlamps and fogs like they did for the full size line and give customers and option for better wheel and tire combos. Those rims on the gmc are just out of date imo, would look light years better with the all terrain wheels. Also that gauge cluster needs to be reworked, looks like something out of a mid 2000's budget car. Not sure why they didn't just copy the full size clusters which look pretty good imo and certainly higher end then that black plastic mess.

 

I understand those are petty concerns of mine but lets be honest this is not a 25,000 dollar truck anymore, and I expect better on my concerns when spending 45 grand.

[redvett94]

I don't think a Diesel is cost effective. fuel $2.59 a gallon plus Def @$13.83 gal comes out to $3.35 a gallon at an average of 28 mpg.

The gasser V6 will get 24 @ 2.12 gal . $3,730 for the Dmax option will go a long way in the gas engine. 1759 gallons of gas will go 42216 miles. Just not cost effective.

[Nargg]

redvett94, on 16 Oct 2015 - 3:22 PM, said:

I don't think a Diesel is cost effective. fuel $2.59 a gallon plus Def @$13.83 gal comes out to $3.35 a gallon at an average of 28 mpg.

The gasser V6 will get 24 @ 2.12 gal . $3,730 for the Dmax option will go a long way in the gas engine. 1759 gallons of gas will go 42216 miles. Just not cost effective.

 

For someone wanting to commute only? No. For someone needing power to haul large trailers, the economy is extreme with the Diesel. Hands down.

[Jsdirt]

Why buy a truck to commute when there's half a billion sedans to choose from? I wouldn't be hauling anything large with a mid-sized truck ... and especially at $45 GRAND. Holy crapper ...

 

I thought the whole point of a midsize was to save some dough over a full-sized model? Guess not!

 

Then there's the DEF .... uhhhgg ...

[barry G]

I'd like that truck.

I run a many mile v8, it got there with tall gears and pussyfooting. 1500-1800 rpm at 60 on my 15 mile death trek to the highway... priceless.

the torque line of diesel does not need the shreak of winding up.

 

always mature...it is actually closer to the beginnings of internal combustion. The high rev 'vette sounding engine in trucks today is absurd.

[redwngr]

I don't think a Diesel is cost effective. fuel $2.59 a gallon plus Def @$13.83 gal comes out to $3.35 a gallon at an average of 28 mpg.

The gasser V6 will get 24 @ 2.12 gal . $3,730 for the Dmax option will go a long way in the gas engine. 1759 gallons of gas will go 42216 miles. Just not cost effective.

DEF mileage is likely to be 1500 mpg or better. (assuming it has slightly less def consumption than the 6.6L big brother)

[redvett]

Diesel engines are not cost effective anymore. Long haul new trucks use compressed nat. gas or propane. Schwan's ice cream trucks have used propane for many years.

[Erion109]

How much DEF does it eat per tank?