The GMC Yukon XL does 17.6 mpg combined (15.7 city, 20.9 highway), which works out to about $2,182 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 23 mpg while 5.7L 8-cyl does 14 — a difference of $1,073 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every GMC Yukon XL engine, compared
Gas mileage on the GMC Yukon XL ranges from 23 down to 14 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $1,073 a year across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 21 / 26.7 | 2021–2026 | $1,670 | |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 14.3 / 19.4 | 2001–2026 | $2,385 | |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 12 / 17 | 2000–2000 | $2,743 |
What that actually costs
The GMC Yukon XL burns a gallon every 17.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 682 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.182 |
| Fuel per year | $2,182 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,910 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$203 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,800 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The GMC Yukon XL gives up 5.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 20.9 out there against 15.7 in town, a 33% drop worth $609 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 | 15.7 mpg | $2,446 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.9 mpg | $1,837 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.2 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Yukon XL changed over the years
The Yukon XL peaked in 2021 at 20.5 mpg (18.5 city, 23.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 14 — 6.5 mpg apart, or $870 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 20. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2025 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2024 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2023 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2022 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2021 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2014 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2013 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2012 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2011 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2010 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2009 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2008 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2006 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2005 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2003 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2002 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2001 | 13 / 16 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2000 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 27 EPA ratings of the GMC Yukon XL — 3 engines across 2000–2026. 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 $3,800. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the GMC Yukon XL get?
17.6 mpg combined on average — 15.7 in the city and 20.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2000–2026.
How much does a GMC Yukon XL cost in fuel per year?
About $2,182 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,910 over five years, or 0.182 dollars a mile.
Which Yukon XL engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 23 mpg, against 14 for the 5.7L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,073 a year.
Is the Yukon XL good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world Yukon XL 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 Yukon XL is $3,800 against the $2,182 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 23 and 14 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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