The Chevrolet Colorado does 20.5 mpg combined (18.1 city, 24.6 highway), which works out to about $1,873 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.8L 4-cyl does 23 mpg while 5.3L 8-cyl does 16.5 — a difference of $657 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Colorado engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 4-cyl | 20 / 28.3 | 2004–2022 | $1,670 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 20 / 26 | 2015–2015 | $1,745 | |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 19.5 / 24 | 2023–2026 | $1,803 | |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | 18 / 24.2 | 2007–2012 | $1,873 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 18 / 25 | 2015–2022 | $1,873 | |
| 3.5L 5-cyl | 17 / 22.7 | 2004–2006 | $2,021 | |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | 16.5 / 22.7 | 2007–2012 | $2,053 | |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 / 20.3 | 2009–2012 | $2,327 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.156 |
| Fuel per year | $1,873 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,365 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$361 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,189 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.1 mpg | $2,122 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.6 mpg | $1,561 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.5 mpg (36%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Colorado changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2025 | 19 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2024 | 20 / 24 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2023 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2022 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2021 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2020 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2019 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2016 | 20 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 19 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2012 | 16.7 / 22.3 | 3 | $2,053 | |
| 2011 | 16.7 / 22.3 | 3 | $2,053 | |
| 2010 | 16.7 / 22.7 | 3 | $2,021 | |
| 2009 | 16.7 / 22.7 | 3 | $2,053 | |
| 2008 | 17 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2007 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2006 | 17.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2005 | 17.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2004 | 17.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Colorado get?
20.5 mpg combined on average — 18.1 in the city and 24.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2026.
How much does a Chevrolet Colorado cost in fuel per year?
About $1,873 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,365 over five years, or 0.156 dollars a mile.
Which Colorado engine is the most economical?
The 2.8L 4-cyl at 23 mpg, against 16.5 for the 5.3L 8-cyl — a difference of about $657 a year.
Is the Colorado good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.