The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will provide at least 20 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, the U.S. EPA has announced.

The vehicles, which represent General Motors' return to the mid-size pickup segment, should give the company a strong marketing position as it takes on the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier in the segment, GM said.

The pickups, when powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine, can achieve 26 mpg highway, 18 mpg city, and 21 mpg combined in rear-wheel drive mode. When operated in four-wheel drive, the vehicles can achieve 24 mpg highway, 17 mpg city, and 20 mpg combined.

The trucks would offer 3 to 5 mpg better than competitors in the segment, according to GM.

“Innovations such as available active grille shutters combine with an aerodynamic design in a smaller, more maneuverable package to set a new standard for fuel economy in midsize trucks,” said Kenn Bakowski, Canyon marketing manager.

The fuel-economy story for the vehicles is expected to improve for the 2016 model year, when GM offers a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine as an option. The pickups are arriving at dealerships in the fall.