What Gas Mileage Does a GMC Yukon XL Get in Houston Driving?

A GMC Yukon XL in Houston returns between 14 and 21 mpg in city driving and between 16 and 23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain. Houston traffic mixes stop-and-go on the Beltway and FM 1960 with long freeway runs on I-45 and US-290, so the city and highway ratings tell you more than one combined number does. The short answer is that the 3.0L Duramax diesel returns the most miles per gallon, while the 5.3L V8 in two-wheel drive costs the least to fuel over a year.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Houston. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

What mpg does a Yukon XL really get on Houston roads?

Because Houston driving blends stop-and-go streets with long freeway stretches, the city and highway ratings matter as much as the combined figure. On the 2026 Yukon XL, the 5.3L V8 in two-wheel drive is rated 15 city, 20 highway and 17 combined, according to the EPA certification record for the model. The 3.0L Duramax diesel in the same drive is rated 21 city, 26 highway and 23 combined.

The city column carries the Beltway and FM 1960 traffic, and the highway column carries I-45 and US-290. The diesel’s city rating of 21 sits well above the 15 and 14 that the V8s post in the city, so the engine choice shows up most in stop-and-go driving.

How much does stop-and-go traffic on the Beltway and FM 1960 cost in mpg?

The EPA’s city test is the figure built for stop-and-go driving, and it is the number to plan a Beltway or FM 1960 week around. The 5.3L V8 in two-wheel drive is rated 15 mpg city against 20 mpg highway, so its lowest figure is the one a Houston commute uses most. The U.S. DOE and EPA test schedule includes a separate cold-temperature schedule that tests cold-start, stop-and-go driving at colder outside temperatures (U.S. DOE/EPA, fueleconomy.gov, undated).

Fuel use on FM 1960 follows the city column more than the highway one. A driver who runs the Beltway and FM 1960 daily should read the city figure first and the highway figure second.

Which Yukon XL engine saves the most gas for Houston drivers?

For the best mpg, the 3.0L Duramax diesel leads the Yukon XL record at 21 city, 26 highway and 23 combined in two-wheel drive. For the lowest fuel bill, the 5.3L V8 in two-wheel drive is the pick, because the EPA record lists its fuel cost at $3,650 a year. The diesel’s fuel cost is $3,900 a year in the same drive, and the 6.2L V8 in two-wheel drive is listed at $4,850 a year with a rating of 15 city, 19 highway and 16 combined.

How does Houston heat and AC use affect Yukon XL fuel economy?

EPA’s test process accounts for air conditioning. The Department of Energy’s fact sheet on the same procedure runs the 95°F test with climate control set to 72°F Auto and an 850 W/m² simulated solar load (U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity fact sheet, undated).

That is the kind of heat Texas drivers have already faced. Texas recorded its warmest July in state history in 2022, with a statewide average daily high of 100.0°F (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 2022). A Yukon XL that runs the air conditioning on a summer commute along US-290 is working in the hot part of the test, so the rated figures are the starting point rather than the finish line.

How much does a week of Houston driving cost in a Yukon XL?

The 3.0L Duramax diesel is listed at $3,900 in two-wheel drive and $4,050 in four-wheel drive. Divide the yearly figure for your engine by 52 to estimate a weekly fuel cost.

Your own miles decide where you land in that range. A household that runs the Beltway and FM 1960 every workday will sit at a different point than one that drives mostly on the freeway, so count your own weekly miles before you set a budget.

Where can I see and drive the Yukon XL in northwest Houston?

Group 1 Buick GMC North sells new GMC Yukon XL vehicles from 11300 FM 1960 Rd W, Houston, TX 77065, on the FM 1960 corridor near Willowbrook and Cypress. The store also sells the rest of the GMC truck and SUV lineup, from the Sierra 1500 to the Acadia, along with Buick’s Encore GX, Envista and Envision. Shoppers can browse inventory online and finish online or in person.

Our review count is the highest of the seven same-brand dealers in this market.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Yukon XL diesel get better mpg than the V8?

Yes. The 3.0L Duramax diesel is rated 21 city, 26 highway and 23 combined in two-wheel drive, against 15, 20 and 17 for the 5.3L V8 in the same drive.

Does 4WD lower Yukon XL gas mileage?

It does on the 5.3L V8, which is rated 15, 20 and 17 in two-wheel drive and 14, 19 and 16 in four-wheel drive. The 6.2L V8 is rated 16 combined in either drive, so its combined figure does not change with the drivetrain. The EPA lists the 5.3L’s yearly fuel cost at $3,650 in two-wheel drive and $3,900 in four-wheel drive.

What does the combined mpg number mean?

The combined figure is a weighted average. EPA weights the city figure at 55% and the highway figure at 45% (U.S. EPA, 2026). Because city driving carries the bigger share, the combined number leans toward the city rating, which is the number that matters most on FM 1960.

Group 1 Buick GMC North starts a Yukon XL deal with secure online finance application

A Yukon XL decision runs on the fuel numbers and the monthly payment, and Group 1 Buick GMC North starts the payment side with a secure online finance application. We hold 4.4 stars across 7,919 Google reviews, and 79 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026). In an August 2026 Google review, Bill E. wrote: “Great Sales Person.. No pressure Sales.. great Finance Guy as well.. down to earth straight talk… overall Great service from the time we walked in to walking out with a car of our choice in hand.”

In a June 2026 Google review, Alondra R. wrote: “He helped us find the best deal on our dream truck and made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Able was patient, knowledgeable, and truly cared about helping us get exactly what we wanted.” We offer a secure online finance application, so you can work through the payment before you visit the FM 1960 store.

Group 1 Buick GMC North puts the Yukon XL’s city, highway and yearly fuel figures next to your own Houston week. Start with the secure online finance application, or visit us at 11300 FM 1960 Rd W, Houston, TX 77065.

Group 1 Buick GMC North answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Houston showroom, or call (281) 897-6690.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Buick GMC North for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.