Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz 300D/300CD MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz 300D/300CD has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1984 to 1985. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 5 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

22best combined mpg (1984)
19worst combined mpg (1985)
21latest year best (1985)
5configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1984322 mpg22 mpg#23 of 36 (37th pct)n/aDieselCompact Cars
1985221 mpg19 mpg#29 of 45 (36th 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/300CD placed highest in 1984 at #23 of 36, and lowest in 1985 at #29 of 45. It spent 0 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 5 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19853.0L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(CALIF) (DSL,TRBO), turbocharged, Diesel192019605.318.8$4,700535.7894736842105n/a
19853.0L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO), turbocharged, Diesel192321547.617.0$4,250484.76190476190476n/a
19843.0L 5-cyl Automatic 4-spd Diesel(CALIF)212322522.716.2$4,050462.72727272727275n/a
19843.0L 5-cyl Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO)212422522.716.2$4,050462.72727272727275n/a
19843.0L 5-cyl Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO) CA model212322522.716.2$4,050462.72727272727275n/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
1984 → 198522 → 21 mpg-1 mpg548 gal

What 300D/300CD fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D/300CD burns 548 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$1,643$1,816$173
$3.50/gal$1,917$2,118$202
$4.00/gal$2,190$2,421$231

EPA’s own estimate for the 1985 model year is $4,250 to $4,700 a year in fuel, or $12,250 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 21 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 300D/300CD is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $369 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.