2016 Chevrolet Suburban MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban is rated 18 to 19 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Chevrolet Suburban · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

19MPG combined

16 city 23 highway

$3,300 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score4/10

5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $5,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,300 to $3,450 a year. Compared with 2015, the best gas version is up 1 mpg.

More complaints than a typical Suburban year

The 2016 drew 45 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 32 for a typical Suburban year.

Years to avoid: 2015 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Suburban year ranked The 2016 Suburban's recalls and problems

Every 2016 Suburban version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Suburban C1500 2WD	19 mpg	16 / 23	$3,300
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Suburban K1500 4WD	18 mpg	15 / 22	$3,450
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) EPA listing: Suburban K1500 4WD · Flex-fuel (E85)	18 mpg	15 / 22	$3,450
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) EPA listing: Suburban C1500 2WD · Flex-fuel (E85)	18 mpg	16 / 23	$3,450

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,158	$263	$15,789
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)	$3,333	$278	$16,667
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$3,333	$278	$16,667
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)	$3,333	$278	$16,667

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Chevrolet Suburban MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 17 to 19 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2016. Diesel: 23 mpg (2021 to 2026).

Best gas version
Best diesel version

2016: gas 19 mpg · diesel not offered

Show as a table

Chevrolet Suburban best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best diesel version
2010	17	–
2011	17	–
2012	17	–
2013	17	–
2014	17	–
2015	18	–
2016	19	–
2017	19	–
2018	19	–
2019	18	–
2020	18	–
2021	18	23
2022	17	23
2023	17	23
2024	17	23
2025	17	23
2026	17	23

Every Suburban year's ratings in one table

How the 2016 Suburban compares

2016 full-size SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Chevrolet Tahoe Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,300
Chevrolet Suburban This page Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,300
GMC Yukon Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,300
Ford Expedition Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,450
Toyota Sequoia Best: gas	15 mpg	15 mpg	$4,150

Chevrolet Tahoe vs Chevrolet SuburbanMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2016 Suburban recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 220 owner complaints for the 2016 Suburban.

Owners most often describe transmission failure (29 complaints, 13%), then shaking or vibration (24). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2016 Suburban recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Chevrolet Suburban version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 Suburban's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 19 mpg, up 1 from 18.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.