Mercedes-Benz 260E MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz 260E has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1987 to 1991. Across those years its best rated version returned 19 mpg (1987) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1991). The EPA record holds 5 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #46 of 57 (20th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 1988 | 2 | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | #42 of 53 (21th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 1989 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #37 of 49 (25th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 1991 | 1 | 16 mpg | 16 mpg | #42 of 57 (27th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize 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 260E placed highest in 1989 at #37 of 49, and lowest in 1987 at #46 of 57. It spent 0 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 5 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2.6L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 15 | 17 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $3,900 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.6L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 18 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.6L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 16 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.6L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 18 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.6L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 17 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/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.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 → 1991 | 19 → 16 mpg | -3 mpg | 719 gal |
What 260E fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 260E burns 719 to 719 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $2,156 | $2,156 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,516 | $2,516 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,875 | $2,875 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1991 model year is $3,900 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 16 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 260E is 10 mpg below the median, which is worth about $968 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Mercedes-Benz nameplates
Every Mercedes-Benz model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.