The Chevy Colorado is a compact pickup truck that aims to appease various automotive tastes and needs. It’s easy to maneuver, is available in multiple trim levels, and isn’t all that expensive. But when it comes to what’s under the hood, is this year’s Chevy Colorado available with a diesel engine?

The Chevy Colorado is available with multiple engines

Much like other trucks, the Chevy Colorado offers no shortage of engines to choose from. Standard on all models is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 200-hp and 191 pound-feet of torque. With this engine under the hood, you can also expect the Chevy Colorado to tow a maximum of 3,500-pounds. 

And if the Chevy Colorado’s four-cylinder engine doesn’t quite do it for? This year’s model is also available with a 3.6-liter V6 engine. Churning out a full 308-hp and 275 pound-feet of torque, the Chevy Colorado’s available V6 engine will have you towing up to 7,000-pounds.

Is the Chevy Colorado available with a diesel engine?

This year’s new Chevy Colorado is also available with a diesel engine under its hood. Its Duramax 2.8-liter TurboDiesel engine isn’t the quickest out there. In fact, it offers up 181-hp and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Chevy Colorado’s available diesel engine does, however, shine when it comes to towing. 

According to Chevy, when properly equipped, you can expect a diesel Chevy Colorado to tow up to 7,700-pounds. While that’s doesn’t give it much towing power over the Chevy Colorado’s available V6, it will have you towing more than a Colorado equipped with the base four-cylinder engine. 

How good is the Chevy Colorado Diesel?

The Chevy Colorado is available with a diesel engine. But just how good is its diesel engine? Well, according to Car and Driver, “The diesel’s true forte is its maximum towing capability, backcountry trekking, and fuel economy.” That assessment is on point too. Choose a diesel-powered Chevy Colorado, and you can expect to tow a reasonable amount. 

The Chevy Colorado diesel is pretty thrifty when it comes to fuel too. According to the EPA, you can expect this year’s model to deliver an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Compare that to fuel economy ratings for its gas-powered counterpart, and the Chevy Colorado is only able to manage an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. 

As for going off-road with the Chevy Colorado diesel? Consider picking up a ZR2 model, which adds off-road-ready features like a special suspension, aggressive tires, and additional ground clearance. 

How many miles will a Chevy Colorado last?

Sure, the Chevy Colorado diesel can tow, haul, and hit the trails. But how many miles can you expect a new Chevy Colorado to last? According to iSee Cars, which analyzed over 11.8 million cars sold in 2020 to determine which models have the highest percentage of vehicles having reached 200,000-miles, only 0.8% of Colorado models lasted for 200,000-miles. Compare that to the segment average of 1.9%, and that’s not all that impressive.

Is buying a diesel pickup worth it?

If you’re in the market for a fuel-efficient truck that’s able to tow a reasonable amount, you really can’t go wrong choosing a diesel pickup truck. And if you plan to hit the trails? A diesel-powered Chevy Colorado might be a good fit for you.