Trend reversal: GM's new pickup trucks get worse MPG than last year's models

[MetroMPG]

(A face only a mother could love: 2020 Chevy Silverado HD)

Despite being lighter and having more advanced tech, EPA ratings for GM's next generation pickups is worse than the outgoing models.

This reverses years of incremental MPG gains.

the 4.3-liter 2019 Silverado gets 17 miles per gallon combined while the equivalent 2018 truck gets 19 to 20 miles per gallon depending on whether you opt for rear- or four-wheel drive. A V-8-powered 2019 Silverado also returns 17 miles per gallon combined, 1 mile per gallon less than its direct predecessor.

Source: https://www.motor1.com/news/295557/2...silverado-mpg/

And of course we already know the company's 4-cylinder turbo is also a let-down in the MPG department: Thread: Is America ready for 4-cylinder full-size pickup trucks? Because they're here (GM)

As for the EPA ratings quoted above, GM points the finger at increased frontal area for the drop. We haven't reached peak pickup truck size yet.

[Daox]

Why? The windshield seems to be approximately less than 1/3rd the height of the hood to bottom of the bumper???

[samwichse]

Originally Posted by Daox

Why? The windshield seems to be approximately less than 1/3rd the height of the hood to bottom of the bumper???

It's bad, but it's not as bad as that. That pic is taken up close with a wide angle lens to make it look "snoutier."

Might as well try that same measurement method on this dog ;-)


There's the truck from a less silly angle. Still bad, and frankly, stupid-looking:

[oil pan 4]

Pickup trucks are getting bigger, cars getting fewer and fewer. I smells a disaster brewing.
Gas is up to $3 a gallon some places the price of crude oil is around $50 a barrel.
What's going to happen when oil hits 100 a barrel again?
These pickup truck buyers need to taste the writing on the wall paper.

[redpoint5]

Yikes, that's pretty bad looking. I guess you need more grill area if you're going to be burning more fuel.

Fortunately I won't need another truck for a minimum of 15 years. This ugly grill-centric fad will have faded away by then.

[Hersbird]

Have they changed the EPA test again? Sometimes that is a reason a rating my be lower while real world may be better. Hard to say. I also don't see where you got that quote from, the link is just a picture and nowhere do I see what the 2020 Silverado HD is looking to get EPA. I don't think it even will get the V6 or the turbo 4, that's the 1500 trucks.

I see now, the picture is of a 2020 HD but you are talking about the new 2019 1500s. The new motors and transmissions actually do get better EPA ratings, but the old carryover motors get a bit worse. I might actually chalk that up to GM marketing to get you to spring for one of the more expensive options when side by side on the lot. Also there have been some reports the new 4 cylinder turbo is beating EPA estimates like a diesel does if driven short of "bat out of hell" required in the EPA test. Basically they set an acceleration rate not based on a flat number that all cars (or trucks) accelerate at, but a number based on throttle position. So a low power vehicle gets to do the 0-60 in say 15-20 secs while something with some balls has to do it in 8 secs just because it can. Same penalty applied to manual transmissions, they have to shift at the wrong points where an automatic or CVT gets do do it's own thing.

That and the truck is bigger but lighter so highway suffers, city improves.

[MetroMPG]

Oops... will fix the link.

You're right: the EPA figures quoted are not for the HD trucks. Couldn't resist posting that ridiculous mug though. Neither could the source article.

[MetroMPG]

https://www.motor1.com/news/295557/2...silverado-mpg/

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Pickup trucks are getting bigger, cars getting fewer and fewer. I smells a disaster brewing.
Gas is up to $3 a gallon some places the price of crude oil is around $50 a barrel.
What's going to happen when oil hits 100 a barrel again?
These pickup truck buyers need to taste the writing on the wall paper.

It's the law of the Paris dressmaker.Obey your television!
Really! Did you know that the Chevrolet bow-tie logo is from the wallpaper design of the 1920s or so,Ritz Hotel in Paris,France?
And manly,all-American patriots who eat only American-fries have been driving around with French art on their man-mobiles almost forever?
Love the irony!

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Vehicles are supposed to be becoming all about safety with airbags and tech, yet they make the front of the car so large it's impossible to see half of what's in front of you. Reason 3466573 why I won't buy a truck.