GMC Canyon diesel tops in pickup fuel economy

General Motors says its 2016 diesel-powered GMC Canyon is the most fuel-efficient pickup on the market, with official ratings of 10.8/7.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for 2WD models, and 12.0/8.2 with 4WD.

GM Canada’s press release gives VW a little jab in the wake of that company’s diesel emission’s scandal, saying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a “certificate of conformity” for the Canyon diesel: it states the agency expressed “no issues or concerns following its recent, extensive testing and evaluation of the emission control system on the Canyon diesel.”

GM also claims the Canyon diesel’s 3,500-kg (7,700 lbs) maximum tow rating is better than that of many full-size trucks, including all naturally-aspirated V6-powered versions of the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150, some Ram 1500 V8 models, and Nissan’s 5.6L V8-equipped Titan.

The engine itself is a 2.8L four-cylinder that makes 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a choice of two- or four-wheel drive. Though this latest GM missive only mentions GMC’s version of the truck, we expect the Chevrolet Colorado will get the diesel option, too.

Following the industry trend, diesel power is not cheap in the popular Canyon (and its Chevy Colorado near-twin), with GMC pricing it as a $4,400 option on higher-end trims. An extended-cab Canyon diesel GM entered in the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s (AJAC) Testfest a few weeks ago carried a suggested price of $47,435. However, GM has yet to make an official pricing announcement on 2016 prices for its midsize trucks (diesel or otherwise), and GM.ca still lists these pickups as 2015 models with no diesel option in its vehicle configurator.