Real Life MPG 5.3 / 6.2

[Seamus]

So my wifes 2022 Yukon w the 6.2l is getting 15-16 which is under what the 2018 we traded in got.

Yep. That is what stopped me in my tracks. I heard the new active fuel management was greatly improved, and totally different and could run on 2 cylinders. We test drove and loved it. The mileage going down was very surprising. I just figured the new sytem was improved it would be better mileage. Nope. We hesitated coming froma 2017 Yukon Denali which got really good mileage. That hestiation during Covid was right as the market went nuts. We wanted the 3.0 at that point which was impossible. When thing calm, we will try again, till then the Sierra Denali 3.0 will hold us over.

 

[olyelr]

I wonder if the new body design is much worse on aerodynamics than the previous version? That might be why the two gasser motors get worse fuel mileage across the board.

My wifes ‘16 denali xl with the 6.2 averaged over 19mpg for the first 130k miles of its life (till traded it in on the tahoe with the 6.2). This new rig dosnt get that good of mileage…and with the smaller tank, it translates into more fuel stops as well. Not a deal killer by any means to me, but certainly a let-down.

 

[olyelr]

To all the non believers that the 5.3 gets great mileage, possibilities are endless my friends…

The “best” mpg on the digital readout means nothing. Its probably only for 50 miles, when you were traveling very slow/easy down a long hill with wind behind your back. It will never get that type of average for several tankfuls or more of driving….or even one tank.

 

[xycrazy]

I wonder if the new body design is much worse on aerodynamics than the previous version? That might be why the two gasser motors get worse fuel mileage across the board.

My wifes ‘16 denali xl with the 6.2 averaged over 19mpg for the first 130k miles of its life (till traded it in on the tahoe with the 6.2). This new rig dosnt get that good of mileage…and with the smaller tank, it translates into more fuel stops as well. Not a deal killer by any means to me, but certainly a let-down.

What do you get? Isn't the tank of the current version 24 gal big?

 

[muncie21]

My 2014 Denali XL gets high 15's driving mostly (85%) highway at 70-85 MPH. At these speeds aerodynamics does play a larger role than driving at 55. You could possible eek out an additional .5 to 1 MPG driving slower.

 

[TJ2004YUKON]

I'm trying to figure out the difference between the 2 V8s when it comes to gas usage.

Can you guys throw your numbers over the fence?

What engine and what do you get on highway, city, combined?

Try to get a better picture. Thx

So Far with conservative driving and a 5.3 Tahoe it’s been about 12.4 or just around 12 mpg

 

[xycrazy]

So Far with conservative driving and a 5.3 Tahoe it’s been about 12.4 or just around 12 mpg

Holy cow... is that city only?

 

[Johnms]

No one has mentioned the axel ratio, I guessing since the post was about a 4 x 4. Mine is a 09 2WD Yukon XL 1500 and has the 3.08 axel ratio. I get 21 on the hwy -18 in the city, 11 towing our small camper. The trade off for that ratio is that the towing capacity is 5400 (1833 payload) and their is no towing package. I added a trans cooler just to be safe.
You can check the RPO codes on the sticker in your glove box to determine your ratio.
GT4 AXLE REAR,3.73 RATIO (DUP WITH 5X1)
GT5 AXLE REAR,4.10 RATIO (DUP WITH GTS)
GT7 AXLE REAR,3.33 RATIO
GT8 AXLE REAR,4.10 RATIO (DUP WITH GT5)
GU2 AXLE REAR,2.73 RATIO
GU4 AXLE REAR,3.08 RATIO
GU5 AXLE REAR,3.23 RATIO
GU6 AXLE REAR,3.42 RATIO
Also, code G80 indicates the factory rear locker.

 

[Docknow]

16.5 with mostly highway is not what I would consider as good mileage. My 5.3. 2017 Yukon does currently 20mpg on highway and did previously 24 when it had 20k miles less. 16 in city. I was expecting similar mileage with the new 5.3 and a bit less with the 6.2

But 16 ish is concerning to me. It's not that I can't afford it. It's just that it's not what I was expecting since I do not consider the guy from the gas station my best buddy. It just sucks when you need to fill up every 280 miles or so.
Right now I get at least 380-400 miles out of the tank with 60% city / 40% highway - more with more highway usage

My 2015 GMC Crew cab 6.2 averaged 24 consistently. My 2020 GMC Yukon 5.3 consistently gets 22-23 mpg. I use adaptive cruise on the Yukon And cruise on the crew cab. Most of my miles are highway. Very happy with my results

 

[Docky50]

I don't calculate fuel milage as I really don't care and did not buy a massive yukon xl with any delusion it would get remotely good milage but according to the dash our lifetime average at 10k miles with our 5.3 has been 17.5 mpg. That is better than most of our other vehicles so zero complaints from me. Most our driving is on country roads/highways and not a lot of city

I drive 6 hours straight five days a week and even when I'm sitting, I don't turn it off. I fill up twice a week average about $180. I'm not concerned about the gas mileage, I like Tahoes.

 

[Saltydog]

Interesting...I've owned a 5.3 equipped vehicle for 10 years now and NEVER have seen over 20 and I drive like a little old lady most the time. I did a 1K mile round trip all highway when we first bought our '21 and both hand calculating and the computer came back at 18.4 mpg

My 2016 Sierra with a 5.3 would average about 16-17 in the city and 22-28 on the highway.

One time I got a best of 31mpg, but I was going about 55-60 on flat ground.

 

[ddivinia]

Have around 3000 miles on my 22 Z71 6.2. The computer stays 15mpg avg since new.

D.

 

[Jim b]

Just a thought about mpg. Some people say that they could care less. Fine but the long view: what is the opportunity cost for the extra cash?
150K Miles $4.00 a gallon fuel
14mpg $42,850 for fuel
20mppg $30,000
$ 15, 000 is a pretty good contribution to a college fund or saving for the next rig.
Cheers
Jim

 

[R32driver]

What do you get? Isn't the tank of the current version 24 gal big?

2011 burban we sold last summer usually took 28-29 gallons to fill. According to the specs it had a 31 gallon tank. It averaged 14-15 mpg, 5.3 with 175k on it when sold

 

[vcode]

Does the current 6.2 require premium?

 

[SlimIm17]

MPG on these giant SUVs is directly correlated to driving habits and how heavy your foot is. I drive conservatively, and coast a lot. Have a '21 Z71 5.3 with 13,000 miles and averaged 19.2 over the last 7,650 miles combined in town & hwy crusing. Almost all of it in 2WD.

 

[xycrazy]

Does the current 6.2 require premium?

They say it's recommended but obviously it works with regular as well. I'm wondering if midgrade wouldn't be the sweet spot between regular and premium. You give the truck better fuel but don't pay the premium price. That's what we do with our 2017 5.3 actually. If we use regular only the engine runs pretty rough and lacks power. You literally feel it. Even though it was designed for regular. No issues with midgrade whatsoever so I would plan to use midgrade with a 6.2 as well. I guess that should be ok. Any experience with that?

 

[helli47]

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.

 

[SSGUNNER]

The “best” mpg on the digital readout means nothing. Its probably only for 50 miles, when you were traveling very slow/easy down a long hill with wind behind your back. It will never get that type of average for several tankfuls or more of driving….or even one tank.

Im going to disagree as I can easily get pretty close to the 26 mark. Either my eyes deceit me or Im imagining things but I know what I get In my Rig. Yes I would need to drive like a grandma and on occasions I do relative coast when traveling but these numbers were obtained on flat grounds. Now city driving, no argument there which I do a lot of with constant red lights which result in my lower mpg. Just filled up with mid grade yesterday at $5.49 here in socal. Lets see what my avg is on my next run.

 

[scot_c]

I'm trying to figure out the difference between the 2 V8s when it comes to gas usage.

Can you guys throw your numbers over the fence?

What engine and what do you get on highway, city, combined?

Try to get a better picture. Thx

2013 4WD LT with 129,000 miles, 3.42 rear axle. 17.5 +/- 0.5 mpg overall on regular gas. Southern Arizona, so AC used most months.