1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) MPG and Fuel Economy

On this page, you will find a complete guide to the miles per gallon and fuel efficiency data for the 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger).

The 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) has 2 model options: Automatic 4-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L and Manual 5-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L.

The 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) Automatic 4-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Vans car class.

The 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) Manual 5-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L runs on regular gasoline and is in the Vans car class.

🛣 How Many Miles per Gallon (MPG) Does a 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) Get?

Across all models, the combined average MPG for the 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) is 18 miles per gallon.

The table below breaks down the MPG for each model option:

Model OptionCombined MPGCity MPGHighway MPG
Automatic 4-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L171520
Manual 5-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L181522

💵 What is the Average Yearly Fuel Cost for a 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger)?

The average fuel costs for all models of the 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) is $3,600.

The average fuel costs have been estimated by government regulators based on 15,000 miles driven per year, using regular gasoline, and a split of 55% city driving and 45% highway driving.

Comparing a 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) to an average vehicle over 5 years, you will spend $6,500 more on fuel.

The table below shows the fuel costs and 5-year save/spend for each model option:

Model OptionFuel Cost5-Year Save/Spend
Automatic 4-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L$3,700spend $7,000 more
Manual 5-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L$3,500spend $6,000 more

🛢 How Many Barrels of Petroleum Does a 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) Consume?

Across all models, the average number barrels of petroleum that the 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) will consume in one year is 18 barrels.

The majority of the world's petroleum is sourced from countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, and the United States.

Model OptionBarrels
Automatic 4-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L18
Manual 5-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L17

💨 How Many Grams of CO2 Does a 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) Emit?

The 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) will emit an average of about -15,000 grams of CO2 per year.

🌳 To help you understand the impact of this, a normal tree will absorb around 21,000 grams of CO2 per year. This means that roughly 1 tree would be needed to offset emissions from the 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger).

Overview

The tables below cover all of the miles per gallon, engine specifications, and emission details we have for the 2 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) model options.

Automatic 4-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L

The table below contains all of the details we have for the 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) Automatic 4-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L:

City MPG15
Highway MPG20
Combined MPG17
Save/Spend vs Average CarSpend $7,000
Fuel Cost$3,700
Fuel Type 1Regular
Barrels of Petroleum18
Grams of CO2-15,000
Trees Needed to Offset-1
DriveRear-Wheel Drive
Cylinders6
Displacement4.3
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Vehicle ClassVans
Start/Stop?No
Supercharged?No
Turbocharged?No

Manual 5-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L

The table below contains all of the details we have for the 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) Manual 5-spd 6-cyl, 4.3 L:

City MPG15
Highway MPG22
Combined MPG18
Save/Spend vs Average CarSpend $6,000
Fuel Cost$3,500
Fuel Type 1Regular
Barrels of Petroleum17
Grams of CO2-15,000
Trees Needed to Offset-1
DriveRear-Wheel Drive
Cylinders6
Displacement4.3
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Vehicle ClassVans
Start/Stop?No
Supercharged?No
Turbocharged?No

Link To or Reference This Page

If you use this page in your research, please reference MPG Buddy as the source.

  • "1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy. Accessed on January 3, 2026. https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/gmc/safari-2wd-passenger/1988.

  • "1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) MPG and Fuel Economy." MPG Buddy, https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/gmc/safari-2wd-passenger/1988. Accessed January 3, 2026.

  • 1988 GMC Safari 2WD (passenger) MPG and Fuel Economy. MPG Buddy. Retrieved from https://mpgbuddy.com/cars/gmc/safari-2wd-passenger/1988.