Hi everyone, I'm new to the board and looking for some input. I'm considering the purchase of a new GMC/Chev crew cab to replace our 07 Acadia, so it will be our main vehicle (~17-20000 mi/yr). I'd love to get the 6.2 litre, but I'm worried about poorer gas mileage. The EPA rate it 2mpg worse hwy & 3mpg worse city than the 5.3. My question is in the real world is the 6.2 thirstier than the 5.3? Thanks for your opinions.

 

I haven't had the 6.2 but I know the 6.0 gets a few MPG's worse. There is a decent difference in the power though. If your going to be pulling anything I would opt for the larger motor.

 

yeah if you tow A LOT then the 6.2 will be your best friend, but if you just tow recreationally like your boat to the lake or your car to the track then the 5.3 will be sufficiant, my 02 5.3 tows my 3.6k pound car just fine, braking is a little tough sometimes but it gets the job done.

 

I don't really need the extra power for towing, occasional trips with our17' boat only. However I would like to have the extra power just for the "fun" factor if it comes without too much of a cost in economy. What kind of mileage are you guys getting with your 5.3 or 6.2?

 

My 5.3 gets roughly 16- 17 in town and on the highway I get roughly 18- 21. And everything I hooked to my 5.3 I towed with no problem. I just wish it would not downshift so much. And form what I hear form everyone the 6.2 is a Gas Hog, but it is fun to drive....

 

I test drove a 5.3 today and was pleasantly surprised by the power. I also drove a F150 with a 5.4, the Chevy definitely out performed it. So I think I'd be quite satisfied with the 5.3.

 

Well, let us know what you get and post some pictures.

The initial markup upfront is also something to take into consideration. I'm not sure what the price difference is, but I'm sure it is worth thinking about

 

well when i had the smaller tires on my truck i was getting 14-15 in the city and 17-20 on the highway... but i put bigger tires and i have a 3.42 gear in my truck and not the 3.73 so it's a bit more strain to turn them so now i get 13-14 and i've only gone on the roadtrip with them once and got 17-19 with them... EDIT: mine is a 02 so take in to consideration i have 160K miles and belt driven fan.

i wish the A4's wouldnt downshift so much either... i do my best to avoid it form down shifting... if im coming up to a over pass or hill i speed up depending on how steep it is, and while going up the hill i just leave the throttle in the same position and just let it slow down the 5mph and coast down the hill to keep it form down shifting, so far so good with everything... although once i was towing a el camino up this HUUUUUUGE bridge on the east beltway going northbound and southbound in houston and my RPM's were going up and my speed was going DOWN!!!! i was kinda scared i was going to just blow something up!!! had to do it 4 times twice with the car and twice with the trailer empty.

 

got the 3.73 in my 07 5.3 z71 and usually get about 16-17 hwy and 13-15 city, with stock tires, but i do love to hear that exhaust, and my foot is pretty heavy!!!

 

Bigger tires and 342 gears just do not match. I run 373s in mine and have no problems. I have been to New York and West Virginia wile towing my bike trailer with my bike and my buddy's Harley and it averaged 14 to 16 MPG. And I have the 20's on it, muffler back dual exhaust, CAI. It did pretty good and the exhaust sounded great.