I have a friend who has one of the Ram 1500 diesels and he routinely gets 27-28 mpg on the highway with a crew cab, 4wd full size truck. Has me wondering if the new Colorado diesel with a 4 cyl. diesel will be getting over 30 mpg? Thoughts?

it may. but you still would need a truck......

Whisper number is 35mpg highway, of course this will be dependent on a number of things. Longer crew cab models allow for more air turbulence and drag under the vehicle reducing mileage, final drive ratio, and whether it is 2 or 4 wheel drive model. And I still haven't read which diesel engine will be installed, the 2.5 or the 2.8 Duramax that are offered elsewhere in the world. Personally, I think that with number 2 diesel and a soft right foot you'll come close to the 35mpg number, but we'll have to wait another 5 to 6 months for more details. Based on how the Colorado / Canyon are selling, with dealers unable to keep more than a handful in stock, if you really want one I suggest you get an order in early with your dealer.

Low 30s would be really something. I am averaging about 20 with my 2013 Silverado

From the EIA, regular grade gasoline average price is currently $2.367, while diesel is $2.944, thus diesel 24.4% higher. A diesel truck has to get 24.4% better mileage simply to 'pay' for the increased fuel costs.

EPA estimated mileage for the V6 gas Colorado is 26 MPG, so a diesel would have to earn an EPA average of 32.3 MPG just to break even on the fuel. This seems pretty unlikely given the DPF and other emissions stuff modern diesels are saddled with.

Add in increased maintenance and purchase price and it is probably a losing bet. On the plus side, a diesel should go farther before requiring a rebuild, but new gassers go a long time too. You will recoup some of the increase in purchase price when selling, but it is not going to substantially sway the payback.

don't forget you need to add DEF to the price per mile.

Unless you're towing heavy (Probably unlikely with the Colorado) DEF is not a significant cost. The diesel SUV's that we service will go an easy 5-7k miles on 3 gallons of DEF, about $12.00 worth. My Cummins, OTOH, will drink a gallon every 500 miles when towing heavy. Normally get about 750-1000 mpg when running light.

Economically, you make a good case. For me, the torque of a good diesel makes the driving experience, cost be damned

Of course, I drive a Duramax, so I have not listened to my own advice I guess...

I too have a 2003 Duramax, with 31,000 miles on it, only use it when I need a heavy duty truck.

My most used ride is a 2012 Ram 1500 crewcab with the Hemi. Has been a good truck. If this new offering got like 30 mpg local and 35 mpg hwy I may consider.

Yes. A completely different driving experience, you can't put a price on it. Diesel makes power around 2,000rpm where the engine spends most of it's time, a gas engine has to buzz 2-3x that fast to get the same power. And torque at half the engine speed of a gas with a much flatter curve. Much more enjoyable to drive.

No disagreement there. For a grocery getter, light towing, and heavy payloads, a gasser works fine. I fear it would be hard to go back to one after driving a duramax for the reasons you cite.

I'd believe 32MPG from the diesel 100 times more than I'd ever believe a v6 gas engine getting 26mpg.

I'd have to wonder if the little coal burner in the Colorado is going to give that torquey, punchy diesel power feeling. I'll agree that driving a newer diesel in a nice pickup is an enjoyable experience, drove my dad's new 6.7 Ford from Oklahoma to South Dakota and he couldn't hardly pry me out of the driver seat. But I have a hunch that the little guy they're sticking in these little trucks will be more reminiscent of driving an old 6.2 as opposed to a Duramax.

It won't feel like a V8. But compared to the V6 gas engine, max torque is 100ft/lbs more and at 2000 vs the gas truck max tq is at 4000. Max hp is less but about 3000 rpm lower, where the gas engine is probably making about the same power. It'll feel a lot torquer where it's needed.

I bet it will feel just fine. I drove a Chevy Cruze with the little diesel and it was a tourqey little SOB.

Must be a regional thing, out here diesel is cheaper...

I too have been reading and waiting to check out a Colorado duramax, after 10 years my old Dakota is nearly at 300k and the Colorado is the only truck that is similar size that I like.

Well, to tell the truth, your diesel is about the same price as ours, but your gas is near a buck higher..... Never could figure that out.

Only way it would even interest me would be if it could get around 35 MPG or better.

I already have a 2006 Duramax for the heavy duty stuff. I need a run around, daily driver possible hunting truck.

Oh yea, regular gas is $2.35/GAL. here and Diesel is $3.09/GAL.

The 3.6 liter gasser is a good motor but you have to rev the crap out of it to get the power and it doesn't have much torque. I had a Caddy CTS with that motor for a couple of years.

I think I'd wait and get the Toyota or Nissan diesels which are coming up. Now matter what engine, a Colorado will still be a Colorado (or Isuzu, same thing). Nothing wrong with the engines, but the rest of the truck will implode before the motor dies off.