Mercedes-Benz 300SD MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz 300SD has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1985 to 1993. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Large Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #30 of 45 (34th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Compact Cars |
| 1992 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #11 of 24 (57th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Large Cars |
| 1993 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #14 of 25 (46th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Large 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 300SD placed highest in 1992 at #11 of 24, and lowest in 1985 at #30 of 45. It spent 1 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.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 3.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT), turbocharged, Diesel | 18 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 18.8 | $4,700 | 535.7894736842105 | n/a |
| 1992 | 3.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT), turbocharged, Diesel | 18 | 22 | 19 | 605.3 | 18.8 | $4,700 | 535.7894736842105 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.0L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel | (CALIF) (DSL,TRBO), turbocharged, Diesel | 19 | 20 | 19 | 605.3 | 18.8 | $4,700 | 535.7894736842105 | n/a |
| 1985 | 3.0L 5-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel | (DSL,TRBO), turbocharged, Diesel | 19 | 23 | 21 | 547.6 | 17.0 | $4,250 | 484.76190476190476 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 → 1992 | 21 → 19 mpg | -2 mpg | 605 gal |
What 300SD fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300SD burns 605 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,816 | $1,816 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,118 | $2,118 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,421 | $2,421 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1993 model year is $4,700 to $4,700 a year in fuel, or $12,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Large Cars
Across the 305 nameplates EPA classifies as Large Cars, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 19 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 300SD is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $202 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Large 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.