The GMC C/K Pickup does 18.2 mpg combined (16.5 city, 20.2 highway), which works out to about $2,110 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 6.2L 8-cyl does 19.3 mpg while 4.3L 6-cyl does 17 — a difference of $269 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every GMC C/K Pickup 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 17.3 / 22 | 1984–1986 | $1,990 | |
| 4.1L 6-cyl | 15 / 19 | 1984–1984 | $2,259 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 16 / 18 | 1985–1986 | $2,259 |
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 | $0.176 |
| Fuel per year | $2,110 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,550 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$171 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,842 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 | 16.5 mpg | $2,327 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.2 mpg | $1,901 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.7 mpg (22%) | Typical for its type |
How the C/K Pickup 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 16.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1985 | 16.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1984 | 16.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $2,076 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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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 GMC C/K Pickup get?
18.2 mpg combined on average — 16.5 in the city and 20.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1986.
How much does a GMC C/K Pickup cost in fuel per year?
About $2,110 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,550 over five years, or 0.176 dollars a mile.
Which C/K Pickup engine is the most economical?
The 6.2L 8-cyl at 19.3 mpg, against 17 for the 4.3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $269 a year.
Is the C/K Pickup 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.