What happens to highway fuel efficiency when you add a camper and many modifications to your off-road pickup truck? We find out in this Denver 100 MPG highway test by comparing a new all-stock Chevy Colorado Trail Boss 4×4 and a very cool and modified GMC Canyon AT4X Overland Expo Ultimate build. These two trucks have identical engines, similar chassis, but that’s where the similarities end. Take a look at what happened. Let’s dig in!
These two new midsize pickup trucks use the same version of the high-output 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Colorado Trail Boss belongs to me, and I personally paid to upgrade my engine’s output to the maximum level. It was done at the Chevrolet dealership with GM’s certified H.O. calibration. I did this about a year ago, and it matches the engine that is under the hood of this GMC Canyon AT4X. The engine produces 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 3.42-to-1 rear axle ratio. This is where the similarities end.
This GMC Canyon AT4X Overland Expo Ultimate Build can be your at the end of this year. It will be sold at auction and all proceeds go to benefit the Overland Expo Foundation.
The Colorado Trail Boss is rolling on 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT off-road tires. These come from the factory and I paid an extra $495 to get these more aggressive tires from Chevrolet. The Canyon AT4X is rolling on 35-inch all-terrain tires and a lifted ride height that matches that of a factory AT4X AEV Edition truck.
The Canyon AT4X has an AEV air snorkel that integrates smoothly by the driver’s a-pillar. This truck also has a Magnaflow exhaust system for additional off-road clearance and a little more throaty sound. This Canyon has no power adders or tunes.
This Canyon AT4X is a showcase for the latest overland travel and camping accessories. It has a steel front bumper insert that additional off-road lights and a winch. It has a steel AEV rear bumper. It has a complete AEV skid plate package underneath. This includes five skid plates. It has a bed rack and top-mounted wedge camper tent. It has an awning, a shower curtain, drawer storage system, side storage boxes, a water tank, a solar powered house battery system, and much more! It has enough gear inside to be able to cook, sleep, and explorer off grid for several days (if not longer). All of this gear adds additional air drag and additional weight.
Roman and I completed our official Denver 100 MPG loop (this is a ring road around Denver, Colorado). The GPS-verified distance of the Denver 100 loop is 111 miles. We drove the two truck in the highway side by side.
The all-stock Chevy Colorado reported 23.8 MPG on this day. The modified and accessorized GMC Canyon reported 16.9 MPG. There is a difference of -6.9 MPG when driving on the highway in a slightly lifted and accessories pickup truck. This difference is significant, but 16.9 MPG is still better than what the EPA government agency rates the GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition. The EPA rates it at 16 MPG on the highway.
Join Roman and I in the video below for all of the Denver 100 fun.
