Real Life MPG 5.3 / 6.2

[Stbentoak]

That premium fuel only would be a deal killer for me. Have to really need that extra HP for towing to make that worthwhile unless money is just not important. Does seem like the 2021s and newer use more gas than the previous models.

Has always killed the deal for me. Most any desirable vehicle has to have premium, and they are charging + .80 over regular in my area. Gangsters.... Diesel is +.30 over RUL and I go 40% further on it.....

 

[olyelr]

The whole premium fuel thing…i think its kinda a joke myself. Put 125k on last denali with 6.2, never had nothing but regular in it, ran great, great fuel mileage. The ‘22 high country with 6.2 has 40k, never had nothing but regular, runs great. Maybe long term motor issues? I dono.

 

[GoNoGo]

post Facelift 2022 and all 2023’s have customizable display clusters. i use the minimalist mode, love it

 

[djnice]

I just recently switched from a '21 Yukon at4 5.3 to a '22 Yukon at4 6.2. Right away i noticed the 6.2 had a big increase in fuel mileage of 18 mpg on interstate going between 80-87 mph. I couldn't dream of ever getting that with the 5.3. Best i seen on the 5.3 was 16 mpg and that was best, usually 13-14 mpg. My opinion right away would be the 6.2 hands down.

This guy has 2 posts. Makes it hard to believe what he says. I agree at 85 my 5.3 is getting less than 16 mpg but there is wind, grade, etc. What does the 6.2 really do? Any back to back tests I have found show the 6.2 is around 2 mpg less than the 5.3.

 

[xycrazy]

Yeah the 6.2 definitely consumes around 2mpg more. At least. I have a 2021 6.2 Escalade and I get maybe 20 on the highway and around 16 in the city. Combined it days 17.4mpg.

I drove a 2024 5.3 GMC Sierra as a rental for more than 3,000 miles and averaged 21.3mpg. On a shorter drive I even got 29.3 mpg. That‘s absolutely impressive and impossible to get even close to that with the 6.2. And I was impressed by how quick that thing accelerated. Felt even sportier from 0-40 than my 6.2. if they would sell the Escalade with the 5.3 I would have bought it.

 

[djnice]

I was looking ar motor trend tests on Yukon AT4. Not back to back.
2021 5.3
Avg = 15.5
Best tank = 20.9
2022 6.2
Avg = 13.4
Best tank = 15.9

 

[xycrazy]

Yeah the 6.2 definitely consumes around 2mpg more. At least. I have a 2021 6.2 Escalade and I get maybe 20 on the highway and around 16 in the city. Combined it days 17.4mpg.

I drove a 2024 5.3 GMC Sierra as a rental for more than 3,000 miles and averaged 21.3mpg. On a shorter drive I even got 29.3 mpg. That‘s absolutely impressive and impossible to get even close to that with the 6.2. And I was impressed by how quick that thing accelerated. Felt even sportier from 0-40 than my 6.2. if they would sell the Escalade with the 5.3 I would have bought it.

What's so funny about it @mikeyss?

 

[Fless]

I'd caution about the accuracy of the electronic mpg calculations -- no vehicle I've ever had was anywhere near as accurate as a long-term actual miles-per-gallon-used calculation. They've been at least a couple of mpg off, sometimes more.

 

[olyelr]

I'd caution about the accuracy of the electronic mpg calculations -- no vehicle I've ever had was anywhere near as accurate as a long-term actual miles-per-gallon-used calculation. They've been at least a couple of mpg off, sometimes more.

Yea, rarely perfectly accurate, and usually sway to the better side of mpg’s…but they are usually within the “ballpark”. I did a year long side by side calculation test on one of my rams…the computer was notoriously off about a mile per gallon (on the better side) vs the actual mileage/gallonage calculation, which is what the year long average off was. They are only so accurate. Close, but not perfect.

 

[xycrazy]

I'd caution about the accuracy of the electronic mpg calculations -- no vehicle I've ever had was anywhere near as accurate as a long-term actual miles-per-gallon-used calculation. They've been at least a couple of mpg off, sometimes more.

You‘re right. Instead of 21.3mpg I calculated 23.1 mpg manually… just saying

 

[B-train]

Yea, rarely perfectly accurate, and usually sway to the better side of mpg’s…but they are usually within the “ballpark”. I did a year long side by side calculation test on one of my rams…the computer was notoriously off about a mile per gallon (on the better side) vs the actual mileage/gallonage calculation, which is what the year long average off was. They are only so accurate. Close, but not perfect.

The old dream meter......makes people who are lazy about old fashioned math feel better about their purchase.

 

[Kpwweb]

These new gens are terrible compared to last. I have a Tahoe Z71 6.2 and it gets about 10-11 city driving and that is driving very conservative. My 6.2 18 Denali XL 4wd got a consistent 17mpg around town. I’m not sure what they did to make the mpg worse then last gen, only thing I can figure is they are way heavier.

I agree completely. Seems as though GM went way too conservative on the fuel trim. Cold temps=high fuel usage. High temps=high fuel usage. Cold engine=high fuel usage.

Only time I get reasonable mpg is at comfortable temps. I am surprised they don’t burn out the cats on these things quickly.

 

[Kpwweb]

One other point to consider is ethanol vs non-ethanol. I try to run non-ethanol as I usually get 10% better and can go a little farther on a trip between fill ups. My truck seems to like 87-88 non-ethanol best. It is a 5.3. Most the time I can only find non-ethanol premium, or 91octane where I live, so I run it.

Like others, I can get between 13-16 mpg around town and up to 22mpg (on a good day at less than 70mph) on the highway. Stop and go makes a huge difference.