2016 GMC Yukon — Full Specifications
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The 2016 GMC Yukon is an SUV offered with 2 engines (5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) / 19 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 20–23 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a GMC Yukon workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 GMC Yukon: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 23 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 5.3L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 5.3L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 23 combined / 19 urban / 28 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 19 combined / 16 city / 23 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 298 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 6 configurations for the 2016 GMC Yukon across 2 engines (5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 17 to 19 mpg (US), or 20 to 23 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (15/22) | 309 | $3,700 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (15/22) | 309 | $3,700 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/23) | 304 | $3,700 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/23) | 298 | $3,550 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (14/20) | 332 | $3,950 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (15/22) | 318 | $3,950 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 GMC Yukon
Running Costs: 2016 GMC Yukon
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 GMC Yukon at 23 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,581 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 GMC Yukon Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 GMC Yukon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (2), Air bags (2), Suspension (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 19V761000, reported 24 October 2019. Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing…
- Service brakes — campaign 19V645000, reported 6 September 2019. Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Air bags — campaign 17V437000, reported 10 July 2017. Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Air bags — campaign 16V651000, reported 8 September 2016. Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Showing the 4 most recent of 5 campaigns.
Owners have filed 517 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Yukon. The most-reported areas are Exterior lighting (210), Service brakes (95), Electrical system (90). Complaints include 14 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 9 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 186 complaints across the 17 GMC Yukon model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 GMC Yukon
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Lighting (210 owner complaints) — Check every exterior light works and look for moisture inside the lamp housings.
- Brakes (2 recall campaigns · 95 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Electrical system (90 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (75 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the GMC Yukon compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 23 mpg figure is 4 mpg below that average. Its 298 g/km CO₂ figure is 45 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
GMC models in our database average about 26 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 GMC Yukon's 23 mpg is 3 mpg below that make average. Its 298 g/km CO₂ figure is 26 g/km higher than the 272 g/km GMC average.
Of the 17 GMC Yukon model years we cover, the 2016 ranks 7th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (23 mpg UK combined, against a high of 28 mpg). See every GMC Yukon year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 GMC Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 GMC Yukon have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2016 GMC Yukon: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 5.3L 8-cyl with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 GMC Yukon?
The most efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, or 19 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 20 to 23 mpg.
How much does the 2016 GMC Yukon cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 GMC Yukon have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2016 GMC Yukon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 GMC Yukon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (2), Air bags (2), Suspension (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 GMC Yukon?
Among the 517 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Exterior lighting (210 complaints), Service brakes (95 complaints), Electrical system (90 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the GMC Yukon's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.