Model Years

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe gets up to 17 mpg combined with a gas engine and up to 21 mpg as a hybrid, across 4 EPA-tested versions.

EPA fuel economy

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best gas version

17MPG combined

15 city 21 highway

$3,950 a year to fuel

5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic

Best hybrid version

21MPG combined

20 city 23 highway

$3,200 a year to fuel

6.0L 8-cyl hybrid · 4WD · CVT

Best version costs $4,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,200 to $3,950 a year. Compared with 2010, the best hybrid version is down 1 mpg.

Fewer complaints than a typical Tahoe year

The 2011 drew 21 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 46 for a typical Tahoe year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2015, 2021, and 2023; best year: 2018. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Tahoe year rankedThe 2011 Tahoe's recalls and problems

Every 2011 Tahoe 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.

VersionCombinedCity / HwyFuel / year
Hybrid
6.0L 8-cyl hybrid · 4WD · CVT Best
EPA listing: Tahoe Hybrid 4WD
21 mpg 20 / 23 $3,200
6.0L 8-cyl hybrid · RWD · CVT
EPA listing: Tahoe Hybrid 2WD
21 mpg 20 / 23 $3,200
Gas
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Tahoe 1500 4WD · Flex-fuel (E85)
17 mpg 15 / 21 $3,950
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Tahoe 1500 2WD · Flex-fuel (E85)
17 mpg 15 / 21 $3,950

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

VersionPer yearPer month5 years
6.0L 8-cyl hybrid · 4WD · CVT
$3,193$266$15,964
6.0L 8-cyl hybrid · RWD · CVT
$3,193$266$15,964
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic
$3,944$329$19,721
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic
$3,944$329$19,721

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

Chevrolet Tahoe 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. Hybrid: 21 to 22 mpg (2010 to 2013); highest in 2010.

  • Best gas version
  • Best hybrid version

2011: gas 17 mpg · hybrid 21 mpg

Show as a table
Chevrolet Tahoe best combined mpg by model year
Model yearBest gas versionBest hybrid version
20101722
20111721
20121721
20131721
201417–
201518–
201619–
201719–
201819–
201918–
202018–
202118–
202217–
202317–
202417–
202517–
202617–

How the 2011 Tahoe compares

2011 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.

2011 modelBest combinedBest gasFuel / year
Chevrolet Tahoe This page
Best: hybrid
21 mpg17 mpg$3,200
Best: hybrid
21 mpg17 mpg$3,200
Best: gas
17 mpg17 mpg$3,950
Best: gas
16 mpg16 mpg$4,200
Best: gas
16 mpg16 mpg$4,200

2011 Tahoe recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 454 owner complaints for the 2011 Tahoe.

Most-reported area: air bags (186 complaints, 41%). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2011 Tahoe recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe's gas mileage?

No. Versions that differ only in drive share the same combined rating: the 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid gets 21 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 21 with 4WD.

How much fuel does the 2011 Tahoe hybrid save?

Comparing AWD or 4WD versions at EPA's assumptions (15,000 miles a year, $4.47 a gallon), the hybrid costs $3,200 a year to fuel against $3,950 for the gas model: $750 a year, or $3,750 over five years.

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2011 Tahoe's MPG compare with the 2010?

For 2011, the best gas version is rated 17 mpg, the same as the year before and the best hybrid version is rated 21 mpg, down 1 from 22.

Sources and method

  • US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
  • Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 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.