The GMC Caballero does 17.8 mpg combined (15.3 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: 5.7L 8-cyl does 21 mpg while 5L 8-cyl Hybrid does 16 — a difference of $571 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every GMC Caballero engine, compared
Gas mileage on the GMC Caballero ranges from 21 down to 16 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $571 a year across 6 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 18 / 26 | 1984–1984 | $1,829 | |
| 3.8L 6-cyl Hybrid | 15 / 22 | 1984–1984 | $2,133 | |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 15.3 / 21.3 | 1985–1987 | $2,133 | |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 15 / 19 | 1984–1984 | $2,259 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 15 / 20.5 | 1986–1987 | $2,259 | |
| 5L 8-cyl Hybrid | 14 / 20 | 1985–1985 | $2,400 |
What that actually costs
The GMC Caballero burns a gallon every 17.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 674 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.180 |
| Fuel per year | $2,157 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,785 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$227 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,594 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The GMC Caballero gives up 6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 21.3 out there against 15.3 in town, a 39% drop worth $707 a year. 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 | 15.3 mpg | $2,510 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 21.3 mpg | $1,803 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Caballero changed over the years
The Caballero peaked in 1984 at 18.7 mpg (16 city, 22.3 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1985 at 17 — 1.7 mpg apart, or $206 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1987 car does 17.5. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 15.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 1986 | 15 / 21.5 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 1985 | 14.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 1984 | 16 / 22.3 | 3 | $2,053 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the GMC Caballero — 6 engines across 1984–1987. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,594. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the GMC Caballero get?
17.8 mpg combined on average — 15.3 in the city and 21.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1987.
How much does a GMC Caballero 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 Caballero engine is the most economical?
The 5.7L 8-cyl at 21 mpg, against 16 for the 5L 8-cyl Hybrid — a difference of about $571 a year.
Is the Caballero good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world Caballero figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the GMC Caballero is $3,594 against the $2,157 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 16 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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