The Chevrolet GMT-400 does 17.8 mpg combined (15.6 city, 21.3 highway), which works out to about $2,157 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl does 20.8 mpg while 4.3L 6-cyl does 17.1 — a difference of $400 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every Chevrolet GMT-400 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 18.5 / 24.5 | 1987–1990 | $1,846 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 14.9 / 20.4 | 1987–2002 | $2,246 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.180 |
| Fuel per year | $2,157 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,785 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$218 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,605 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 15.6 mpg | $2,462 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 21.3 mpg | $1,803 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.7 mpg (37%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the GMT-400 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2001 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2000 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1999 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1998 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1997 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1996 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1995 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1994 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1993 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1992 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1991 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1990 | 16.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 1989 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 1988 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1987 | 17 / 23 | 2 | $1,969 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet GMT-400 get?
17.8 mpg combined on average — 15.6 in the city and 21.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1987–2002.
How much does a Chevrolet GMT-400 cost in fuel per year?
About $2,157 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,785 over five years, or 0.180 dollars a mile.
Which GMT-400 engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl at 20.8 mpg, against 17.1 for the 4.3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $400 a year.
Is the GMT-400 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.