I believe it gets about the same (comparing my pop's DC and my buddy's 3.4 auto 4Runner) MPG. While it's not as quick going uphill, with a loaded bed full of camping gear/wood, it get around the same. So you might get there a bit slower, but you still get there the same.
Less cylinders/easier to work on (no stupid intake manifold like the 3.4/3.0) and as long as you aren't trying to make it a zombie TEOTWAKI rig that can out run and out drive anything, you are good to go.
Oh, and it has a timing chain, unlike the v6's with timing belts.