We already knew the next generation of full-size SUVs from General Motors—including the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade—are due to offer a diesel engine option. Now, though, we know just how efficient this powertrain makes the big three-row SUVs—or at least two-wheel-drive iterations.
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe diesel leads the lineup with a rating of 24 mpg in combined city and highway driving. It’s much more frugal than the gas Tahoe, which tops out at 18 mpg. The beefier 2021 Chevrolet Suburban diesel gets 23 mpg, a sum that bests the gas model’s rating by 5 mpg. For reference, the EPA rates the 2021 Infiniti Q60 sports coupe at 22 mpg combined—regardless of its six-cylinder engine’s state of tune.
Similarly, the diesel-powered GMC Yukon impresses at 23 mpg. This number holds true no matter whether you opt for the regular version or the long wheelbase. The gas Yukon gets a max 18-mpg rating. Likewise, the luxurious Escalade diesel gets 23 mpg, ahead of the 17 mpg provided by the model’s robust 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine.
GM’s full-size SUVs’ turbo-diesel 3.0-liter inline-six engine is expected to deliver 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque on all models. Power is routed through a familiar 10-speed automatic transmission. GM has only released fuel economy numbers for rear-drive versions of the diesel SUVs; four-wheel-drive variants will probably come in 1 or 2 mpg lower.
The available diesel engine gives the GM SUVs an advantage over rivals. The 2021 Dodge Durango maxes out at 21 mpg with its gas engine, while the 2020 Ford Expedition tops out at 19 mpg. The 2021 Toyota Sequoia and 2020 Nissan Armada fare worse, netting 15 mpg and 16 mpg, respectively.
GM Full-Size SUVs Diesel MPG
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Diesel: 21/28/24 mpg
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Diesel: 21/27/23 mpg
2021 GMC Yukon Diesel: 21/27/23 mpg
2021 Cadillac Escalade Diesel: 21/27/23 mpg
*city/highway/combined
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