Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz 190 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz 190 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1985 to 1986. Across those years its best rated version returned 30 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

30best combined mpg (1985)
18worst combined mpg (1985)
28latest year best (1986)
10configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1985430 mpg18 mpg#14 of 57 (77th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDiesel, RegularSubcompact Cars
1986628 mpg19 mpg#17 of 59 (72th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegular, Premium, DieselSubcompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz 190 placed highest in 1985 at #14 of 57, and lowest in 1986 at #17 of 59. It spent 2 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19862.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)182119605.315.7$3,300467.7368421052632n/a
19862.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium(16-VALVE) (FFS) (MPFI)162419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
19862.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(16-VALVE) (FFS) (MPFI)182220575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19862.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)172420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19862.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(MPFI) (NO-CAT), Diesel263128410.712.8$3,200363.57142857142856n/a
19862.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel(MPFI) (NO-CAT), Diesel253428410.712.8$3,200363.57142857142856n/a
19852.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)172018638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19852.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)172420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19852.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel2.2L 4-cyl, Diesel263027425.913.2$3,300377.037037037037n/a
19852.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel2.2L 4-cyl, Diesel263530383.311.9$3,000339.3333333333333n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1985 → 198630 → 28 mpg-2 mpg411 gal

What 190 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190 burns 411 to 605 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,232$1,816$584
$3.50/gal$1,438$2,118$681
$4.00/gal$1,643$2,421$778

EPA’s own estimate for the 1986 model year is $3,100 to $4,100 a year in fuel, or $5,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Subcompact Cars

Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 28 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 190 is 4 mpg better the median, which is worth about $240 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Mercedes-Benz nameplates

Every Mercedes-Benz model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.