--- title: "2023 Chevy Colorado MPG numbers revealed, worse than prior gen" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2023/03/2023-chevy-colorado-mpg-numbers-revealed-worse-than-prior-gen/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Tim Esterdahl" published: "2023-03-24T16:00:58+00:00" modified: "2025-07-23T15:12:19+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MY23_Colorado_Z71.jpg" --- # 2023 Chevy Colorado MPG numbers revealed, worse than prior gen By Tim Esterdahl Published: 2023-03-24T16:00:58+00:00 Updated: 2025-07-23T15:12:19+00:00 ![Featured image]() The all-new 2023 Chevy Colorado MPG numbers have been revealed with worse fuel economy than the prior generation. Yes, really. With its new 2.7-liter turbocharged engine mated to a second-generation 8-speed transmission, the newer version of the one which was just [granted class-action status for shifting concerns](), this new [Colorado midsize truck]() was expected to at least mirror the fuel economy for the prior gen 3.6-liter V6 engine. And, well it doesn’t, nor does it come close to the excellent fuel economy numbers from the prior generation 2.8-liter Duramax diesel. ## **2023 Chevy Colorado MPG numbers** The team over at [GMAuthority.com]() broke the news on the 2023 Chevy Colorado MPG numbers and dealers are confirming the news through printing sales stickers. For the 2023 Colorado, the numbers are split between the work truck engine, the 2.7-liter L2R engine, and the consumer engine, the 2.7-liter L3B. The L3B is available with a tune for more horsepower and torque for models like the Colorado ZR2. The L2R engine will return 20/25/22 city/highway/combined in 2WD and 19/23/21 city/highway/combined in 4WD. Moving up to the L3B, the 2023 Colorado returns 17/21/19 in 4WD and 2WD numbers aren’t available at the time of this post. Looking back to the 2022 Chevy Colorado and the 2023 Chevy Colorado MPG numbers leave us wondering why fuel economy wasn’t a focus. For the 2022 Colorado, the base 2.5-liter inline 4 cylinder returned 19/25/22 for 2WD and 19/24/21 for 4WD city/highway/combined. These are really similar to the new powertrain even though the 2.5-liter was mated to a 6-speed transmission. Looking at the 3.6-liter V6, the numbers are 18/25/21 for 2WD and 17/24/19 for 4WD city/highway/combined. This means the older truck returned better highway fuel economy in both the 2WD and 4WD configurations for the consumer engines. For commercial fleets, the base engine is slightly less for highway in 4WD and slightly better for city in 2WD. Also of interest is it appears the [Colorado Trail Boss and Z71]() will have identical fuel economy even though the Trail Boss has a lift and wider tire tract. It is unknown what the really off-road focused Colorado ZR2 will have for fuel economy. Finally, this is a far cry from the efficiency of the [2.8-liter Duramax diesel]() with 20/30/23 2WD and 19/28/22 4WD city/highway/combined. ## **Horsepower and torque improvements** With fuel economy not improving, the question then is why even bother with a smaller displacement turbocharged engine? Horsepower and torque improvements are the big deal. The horsepower and torque is much improved going from 308 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque for the 3.6-liter V6 to 310 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque for the Turbo Plus 2.7-liter turbocharged engine. When you add in the Turbo High-Output tune, [you can have done at a dealer](), there’s a big jump with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Also, the [2.7-liter chief engineer told us](), the torque curve is much better doesn’t drop off a cliff like the 3.6-liter V6 was prone to do. One other note on this is this isn’t the first time GM has released a new truck with worse fuel economy ratings than the prior generation. They did this with the [2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 when it replaced the 2018 model](). Food for thought. ## **The bottom line** Fuel economy is an interesting topic for truck owners who need the truck’s capability but also don’t want to be heading to the gas station every few days. With new trucks coming out, the expectation is fuel economy will improve and sadly, we are seeing the opposite. That’s just wrong and truck manufacturers can do better. 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