Such good gas mileage?????

[derf]

I average about 14 mpg, she sure loves gas.

[ZchaRlie2]

Is this mainly due to the AWD system? I was looking to get a Denali, but I have read they seem to have quite a few issues. Not to mention the gas mileage. I currently have an S10 and am getting 14 on the highway. Looking to upgrade to fullsize, and a little class.

[Eggert]

Hello,
I get 10mpg in town and 14mpg on the highway with a 2001 Yukon XL 4WD K2500 6.0 liter engine and 4.10 rear end.
This is the same engine as in the YXL Denali.
Bear in mind that it has a tow rating of 10,000 lbs.
You will have to pay a price for that.
If you want gas mileage and less performance get the 1500 with the 5.3 liter engine and the 3.73 rear end.
It is not as zippy, though.
Take care, Eggert

[ZchaRlie2]

Hmm... how about the 6.0 in the S10... Granted I still don't gain the fullsize, but it gives me the power....

Still looking into '96-'99 bodystyle Tahoes... Would include '95, but want to Vortec engine, unless I do a 6.0 swap into it. A lot cheaper on insurance, would be better gas due to no AWD system, and lighter (less tow capt). Still not quite sure though. Any opinions?

[tonytone]

I'm getting around 14 mpg overall in my '04 DXL; I read somewhere on another forum that some guy's Escalade (w/ the 6-liter engine) was getting 16 mpg...

[Eggert]

Charlie,
here is my humble opinion.
I had a 95 Suburban, it got 16mpg and was outright lame.
That engine was limited to 4000RPM. The 1996 got the better 5000RPM engine.
No comparison to my 01 YXL 2500 with the 6.0 l engine.
The new body style (2000 and up) is so much better in a lot of ways,
you could not make me go back to the old body style (up to 1999).
To me it would be new body style and either the 1500 with the 5.3 liter for fuel economy, or the 6.0 liter engine for decent, enjoyable power.
This means 1500 Denali or 2500 non-Denali.
Towing capacity: 6.0 liter 1500 Denali=8000lbs, 6.0 liter 2500 with 4.10 rear and 8.1 liter 2500 with 3.72 rear=10000lbs, 8.1 liter with 4.10 rear=12000lbs.
You really only would go for the 8.1 l engine for a lot of heavy towing.
Gas mileage while towing: there is none...(may be 4 to 6, don't know yet)

Hope this helps, take care, Eggert

[rbachman]

My 2003 SLT with the 5.3 liter gets a consistent 14 around town and 17 on the highway. With the towing package it is quite acceptable for frequent light towing and rare heavy towing. We have an 18-foot SeaSwirl ski boat and the 5.3 handles it just fine. At $2.25 a gallon, I couldn't justify the larger engine.

[denalio34ceo]

Comparisons:

'03 Denali 6.0L 13 city 17 highway
'94 Jimmy 4.3L 17 city 21 highway

[ZchaRlie2]

Hmm, I wish I could get 21/22 on the highway again. But with a 100lb front bumper, among some other stuff, im down to 14 on the highway.....

getting ready to have 33's should regain some mileage, but will kill my acceleration without regearing

[bcopeland]

I think we all knew when we bought Yukes that the gas mileage was to be desired, but hey - I love driving my 2001 XL 1500 with the 5.3 and getting about 18 hwy/14 city (I assume).

[ukaussi]

Well we had the following, all mostly city driving:-

2001 Yukon 5.3 - 14mpg
2003 Yukon XL 5.3 - 13mpg
2004 Yukon XL Denali - 9 mpg !!!!

Have complained to dealer about 9mpg but not interested even though it is only 2 months old

[sunbeam7011]

I have an 04 SLT 2WD and 342 gearing with a 4.8 liter. I have installed Gibson headers, Flowmaster muffler, K&N 77 series. I run full syn. oil so it took me about 8,000 break-in until I consitantly get the following mileage's:

city: 17.2 - 18.0 (3rd gear around town speeds under 45 MPH)
highway: 21.5 - 21.8 (72 MPH average)

I have found with my rig it runs best (combo of power and speed) at about 84-85 MPH @ around 3200 RPM @ 19.4 MPG. I dont know where it gets the best milage? 65 MPH? I will find out someday I guess. I imagine that I should get over 22.5 MPG if it runs around 65 average.

I believe that the 5.3 liter would probably do just as good or even better on the highway (milage/power). I feel the 4.8 has to work harder hence the "comfort" zone for my engine at 84 MPH @ 3200 RPM. The 5.3 would have an easier time propelling the vehicle if given the same circumstance.

I dont tow, so I ordered it with the 4.8; I knew what I was getting into. However, although I am very happy with the 4.8, I would spring for the 5.3. The 4.8 is limited to only its own vehicle weight. I do like the city milage it gets however. Thats its one advantage. Im also sure that the mods I have done have helped the milage too. Overall I am very happy with the perfomance/milage of this great GM V-8...all GM's are "economical" when compared to Ford and Chysler, so it should come as no suprise.

I use regular 87 octane.

[sunbeam7011]

I see I posted 3200 RPM...I ment 2200 RPM.

[Eggert]

Hi UK Aussie, 9 mpg may be the lower end of the 'acceptable' range, I get 10. What do you get on the highway?
Do you have the 3.73 or 4.10 rear end?
Does anyone have the mpg numbers for the 8.1 liter (496 CID) engine?
I expect 9 mpg around town and not much more on the highway, towing probably around 6 to 8, depending on the hills.
Take care, Eggert

[WEF]

My Yukon doesn't quite have 1,000 miles on it yet but the fuel mileage is a pleasant surprise to me. It replaced a regular cab '99 5.3 Sierra 4x4 with 3.73's. The heavier Yukon has 4.10's, much peppier than the Sierra and with the same type driving, gets slightly better mileage. 17.5 vs. 18.