GMC Savana MPG — Gas Mileage by Engine and Year

Quick answer

Against 272 other V8 cars rated 2015–2017, the Savana trails their 17.3 mpg average by 4.3 mpg, about $734 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1996, the 4.3L 6-cyl (1996–2014), does 15.7 mpg and the thirstiest, the 6L 8-cyl (2015–2017), 13: $508 a year apart.

Every GMC Savana engine, compared

Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·GMC Savana gas mileage by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
4.3L 6-cyl	15.7	13.9 / 18.4	1996–2014	$2,446
5.3L 8-cyl	15.1	13.5 / 18.2	2003–2014	$2,543
5.7L 8-cyl	15	13 / 17	1997–1997	$2,560
5L 8-cyl	14.8	13 / 17.2	1996–2002	$2,595
6L 8-cyl	13	11 / 16	2015–2017	$2,954

ROWS 5·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

FIG.02·GMC Savana fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile (2017)	$0.246
Fuel per year	$2,954
Fuel over five years	$14,770
Against other V8 cars, 2015–2017	+$734 a year
EPA's own estimate	$4,113 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The 2017 GMC Savana gives up 5 mpg in town: 16 on the highway against 11 in the city, $1,091 a year if every mile were city driving.

FIG.03·GMC Savana city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City (2017)	11 mpg	$3,491 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	16 mpg	$2,400 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	+5 mpg (45%)	Wide — this car dislikes traffic

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the Savana changed over the years

The Savana peaked in 2013 at 16 mpg (14 city, 19 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2017 at 13 — 3 mpg apart, or $554 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2017 car does 13.

FIG.04·GMC Savana gas mileage by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
2017	13	11 / 16	1	$2,954
2016	13	11 / 16	1	$2,954
2015	13	11 / 16	1	$2,954
2014	15.5	13.5 / 18.5	2	$2,477
2013	16	14 / 19	2	$2,400
2012	16	14 / 19	2	$2,400
2011	16	14 / 19	2	$2,400
2010	16	14 / 19	2	$2,400
2009	16	14.5 / 19	2	$2,400
2008	16	14.5 / 19	2	$2,400
2007	15.5	14 / 19	2	$2,477
2006	15	14 / 18.5	2	$2,560
2005	15.5	14 / 18.5	2	$2,477
2004	15	13.5 / 17.5	2	$2,560
2003	15	13 / 17	2	$2,560
2002	15	13 / 17	2	$2,560
2001	15	13 / 17	2	$2,560
2000	15	13 / 17	2	$2,560
1999	15	13 / 17.5	2	$2,560
1998	15	13 / 18	2	$2,560
1997	15	13.5 / 17	2	$2,560
1996	14.5	13.5 / 17	2	$2,648

ROWS 22·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

This page rests on 41 EPA ratings of the GMC Savana — 5 engines across 1996–2017. 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 $4,113. Full method.

Everything on the GMC Savana

Recalls165 campaigns Reliability3.5/5 Common problems368 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build Used prices2,455 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1996–2026

Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the 2017 GMC Savana get?

13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1996 the Savana has averaged 15.2 mpg.

Is the 2017 Savana more efficient than the 2016?

About the same: 13 against 13 mpg combined.

Which Savana year has the best gas mileage?

The 2013, at 16 mpg combined (14 city, 19 highway).

Gas mileage ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Running cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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