Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz 300TD MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz 300TD has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1984 to 1987. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize-Large Station Wagons.

22best combined mpg (1984)
19worst combined mpg (1985)
22latest year best (1987)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1984322 mpg22 mpg#8 of 13 (42th pct)n/aDieselMidsize Station Wagons
1985221 mpg19 mpg#11 of 20 (47th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselMidsize-Large Station Wagons
1987122 mpg22 mpg#5 of 24 (83th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveDieselMidsize-Large Station Wagons

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz 300TD placed highest in 1987 at #5 of 24, and lowest in 1985 at #11 of 20. It spent 1 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19873.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel(DSL,TRBO) (NO-CAT), turbocharged, Diesel212522522.716.2$4,050462.72727272727275n/a
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(DSL,TRBO)212422522.716.2$4,050462.72727272727275n/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) CA model212322522.716.2$4,050462.72727272727275n/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
1984 → 198522 → 21 mpg-1 mpg548 gal
1985 → 198721 → 22 mpg+1 mpg523 gal

What 300TD fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300TD burns 523 to 523 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$1,568$1,568$0
$3.50/gal$1,830$1,830$0
$4.00/gal$2,091$2,091$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1987 model year is $4,050 to $4,050 a year in fuel, or $9,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Midsize Station Wagons

Across the 65 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 22 mpg. At 22 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 300TD 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.