Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz 300D 2.5 Turbo MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz 300D 2.5 Turbo has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1990 to 1993. Across those years its best rated version returned 26 mpg (1990) and its thirstiest returned 25 mpg (1992). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

26best combined mpg (1990)
25worst combined mpg (1992)
26latest year best (1993)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1990126 mpg26 mpg#8 of 46 (84th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselCompact Cars
1991126 mpg26 mpg#11 of 60 (83th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselCompact Cars
1992125 mpg25 mpg#16 of 58 (74th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselCompact Cars
1993126 mpg26 mpg#13 of 55 (78th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselCompact 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 300D 2.5 Turbo placed highest in 1990 at #8 of 46, and lowest in 1992 at #16 of 58. It spent 4 of its 4 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
19932.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT)233026442.313.7$3,450391.53846153846155n/a
19922.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT), turbocharged, Diesel232925460.014.3$3,600407.2n/a
19912.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT), turbocharged, Diesel233026442.313.7$3,450391.53846153846155n/a
19902.5L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT), turbocharged, Diesel233026442.313.7$3,450391.53846153846155n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1991 → 199226 → 25 mpg-1 mpg460 gal
1992 → 199325 → 26 mpg+1 mpg442 gal

What 300D 2.5 Turbo fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300D 2.5 Turbo burns 442 to 442 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$1,327$1,327$0
$3.50/gal$1,548$1,548$0
$4.00/gal$1,769$1,769$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1993 model year is $3,450 to $3,450 a year in fuel, or $6,000 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 26 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 300D 2.5 Turbo is exactly at the median.

Other Mercedes-Benz nameplates

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