- Newest year: 2006
- Gas
- Standard SUVs
2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 13–15 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 1 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2006. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche at a glance
The 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche covers 5 model years in the EPA database (14 configurations in all), rated 13–15 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2006, costs about $4,670 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD (14 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The best combined rating in the generation, 15 MPG, was reached in 2004 and 2005.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gas | 14 MPG | $4,670 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 14–15 MPG | $4,360–$4,670 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 14–15 MPG | $4,360–$4,670 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 13–14 MPG | $4,670–$5,030 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 13–14 MPG | $4,670–$5,030 | First year |
What the 2006 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$389
$4,670 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$7.78
Per 100 miles
$31.13
Five years
$23,350
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$590more a year
Class median $4,080 a year, MY2006
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 Chevrolet Avalanche MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration moves from 15 to 14 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,360 to $4,670, $310 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 5.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2005 Chevrolet Avalanche MPG
14–15 MPG · $4,360–$4,670/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 15 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,360.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 5.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2004 Chevrolet Avalanche MPG
14–15 MPG · $4,360–$4,670/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration moves from 14 to 15 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,670 to $4,360, $310 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 5.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 5.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche MPG
13–14 MPG · $4,670–$5,030/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 14 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,670.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 5.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd | 5.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD Automatic 4-spd | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4WD | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,030 |
Flex-fuel (E85) configurations are costed on gasoline, not E85.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche MPG
13–14 MPG · $4,670–$5,030/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 5.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,670 |
| 1500 5.3L 8-cyl 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4WD | 12 | 15 | 13 | $5,030 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD: $6,350 in California and $4,070 in Texas, a $2,280 difference.
- California $6,350
- Washington $5,880
- New York $4,670
- Florida $4,410
- Texas $4,070
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2006 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2002-2006 (1st gen)
- 2007-2013 (GMT900)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche get?
EPA rates the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche at 13–15 MPG combined across 14 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2005 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD, is rated 15 MPG (13 city, 18 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche?
The 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 15 MPG, in 2004 and 2005. The lowest top rating, 14 MPG, was in 2002, 2003 and 2006.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,670 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $4,670 a year.
How much does it cost to drive a 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 100 miles?
About $31.13 per 100 miles for the 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD is rated 13 city and 17 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 4 MPG.
How does the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The 1500 5.3L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,670 a year to fuel, $590 more than the class median of $4,080, and less than 1 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 296 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2006, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche different from the 2005 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 15 to 14 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,360 to $4,670, $310 more. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2006 against 2 configurations for 2005. See the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche for that year.