Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz 190D 2.5 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz 190D 2.5 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1987 to 1989. Across those years its best rated version returned 28 mpg (1987) and its thirstiest returned 27 mpg (1989). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

28best combined mpg (1987)
27worst combined mpg (1989)
27latest year best (1989)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1987228 mpg28 mpg#15 of 72 (80th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselSubcompact Cars
1988128 mpg28 mpg#18 of 60 (71th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselSubcompact Cars
1989127 mpg27 mpg#25 of 71 (66th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselSubcompact 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 190D 2.5 placed highest in 1987 at #15 of 72, and lowest in 1989 at #25 of 71. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 4 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19892.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(NO-CAT), Diesel243027425.913.2$3,300377.037037037037n/a
19882.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(NO-CAT), Diesel263128410.712.8$3,200363.57142857142856n/a
19872.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(NO-CAT), Diesel263128410.712.8$3,200363.57142857142856n/a
19872.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Diesel(NO-CAT), Diesel253328410.712.8$3,200363.57142857142856n/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
1988 → 198928 → 27 mpg-1 mpg426 gal

What 190D 2.5 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190D 2.5 burns 426 to 426 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$1,278$1,278$0
$3.50/gal$1,491$1,491$0
$4.00/gal$1,704$1,704$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1989 model year is $3,300 to $3,300 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 27 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 190D 2.5 is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $186 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.