2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD: MPG and fuel economy
The 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 12 combined MPG, with 10 MPG in the city and 14 MPG on the highway. That lands well below the average for cars in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class in the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain.
Key takeaways
- Returns 25% worse combined MPG than the average car in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class for the 2002 model year (16 MPG class average).
- The most efficient car in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class for the 2002 model year is the Toyota RAV4 4WD at 22 MPG.
- EPA estimates this car costs around $14,250 more in fuel over five years than an average new vehicle of the same model year.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 12 MPG |
| City MPG | 10 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 14 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $5,000 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 741 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Regular |
How the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD compares
The 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD returns 12 combined MPG. Cars in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class for the same model year average 16 MPG, which puts this car behind the class average by about 25%.
The most efficient car in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class for the 2002 model year is the Toyota RAV4 4WD at 22 MPG. The bar chart below puts the GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD alongside the class best and the class average so you can see the full picture.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2002 model year (across all classes) returns 18.6 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2002 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for regular gasoline, which is $3.99/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 1250 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $2,500 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $5,000 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $8,333 |
Compare against other Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD for 2002
If you are cross-shopping the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
The Toyota RAV4 4WD leads this group at 22 MPG, 10 MPG ahead of the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD.
Specifications
The 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD runs a 6-liter 8-cylinder engine paired with a automatic 4-spd, sending power through 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engine
- 6L 8-cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Regular
- Annual petroleum use
- 24.8 barrels per year
Common questions about the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD.
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Is the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD fuel efficient?
Not particularly. The 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD returns 12 combined MPG, which trails the average car in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class for the same model year by about 25%. -
What MPG does the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD get?
The EPA rates the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD at 12 combined MPG, 10 MPG in city driving, and 14 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $5,000 for the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD use?
The EPA lists the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
How much CO₂ does the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 741 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 11,109 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD?
City driving returns 10 MPG and highway driving returns 14 MPG, a gap of 4 MPG. The two figures are close enough that the car will hold its rated efficiency well across most driving patterns. -
What engine is in the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD?
The 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD has a 6-liter 8-cylinder engine. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD have?
The 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD comes with a automatic 4-spd transmission and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive variants typically read 1 to 3 MPG lower than the front-wheel-drive equivalent of the same engine, since the extra hardware adds weight and parasitic loss. -
How does the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD compare to the best car in its class?
The most efficient car in the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD class for the 2002 model year is the Toyota RAV4 4WD at 22 combined MPG. The GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD returns 12 MPG, a gap of 10 MPG. If you are comparing on fuel economy alone, the class leader is worth a look. -
How much more does the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD cost in fuel compared to an average car?
The EPA estimates that over five years, the 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL 1500 AWD will cost about $14,250 more in fuel than an average new vehicle of the same model year. The difference accumulates because the car uses more fuel per mile, not because of any one-off charge at the dealership.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.