Against 190 other V8 cars rated 1997–1999, the Suburban trails their 15.4 mpg average by 1.4 mpg, about $249 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 6.2L 8-cyl (1984–1991), does 17.5 mpg and the thirstiest, the 5.7L 8-cyl (1992–1999), 13.5: $650 a year apart.
Every GMC Suburban engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 15.4 / 21.4 | 1984–1991 | $2,194 | |
| 5L 8-cyl Hybrid | 12 / 15.5 | 1984–1985 | $2,844 | |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 11.6 / 16.5 | 1992–1999 | $2,844 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Jeep Cherokee gets 19 mpg, the Nissan Pathfinder 16 mpg and the Mitsubishi Montero 16 mpg, next to 14 mpg for the 1999 Suburban. The Suburban costs the most of them to run: $722 a year more than the Jeep Cherokee.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (1999) | $0.229 |
| Fuel per year | $2,743 |
| Fuel over five years | $13,715 |
| Against other V8 cars, 1997–1999 | +$249 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,558 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 1999 GMC Suburban gives up 5 mpg in town: 17 on the highway against 12 in the city, $941 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (1999) | 12 mpg | $3,200 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 17 mpg | $2,259 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5 mpg (42%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Suburban changed over the years
The Suburban peaked in 1987 at 18 mpg (16 city, 21 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1995 at 13 — 5 mpg apart, or $821 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1999 car does 14. The biggest single-year change came in 1992: 17 to 13 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1998 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1997 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1996 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1995 | 12 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1994 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1993 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1992 | 11 / 16 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1991 | 15 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1990 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1989 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1988 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1987 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1986 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1985 | 13.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 1984 | 14 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 18 EPA ratings of the GMC Suburban — 3 engines across 1984–1999. 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 $4,558. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 1999 GMC Suburban get?
14 mpg combined, 12 city and 17 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Suburban has averaged 15.3 mpg.
Is the 1999 Suburban more efficient than the 1998?
About the same: 14 against 14 mpg combined.
Which Suburban year has the best gas mileage?
The 1987, at 18 mpg combined (16 city, 21 highway).
Does the Suburban get better gas mileage than the Jeep Cherokee?
No: 14 mpg for the 1999 Suburban against 19 for the 2000 Jeep Cherokee, about $722 a year more to run.
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