Tank Ledger

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

The Mercedes-Benz 300TE has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 1988 to 1993. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (1993) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1988). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize-Large Station Wagons.

18best combined mpg (1993)
16worst combined mpg (1988)
18latest year best (1993)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1988116 mpg16 mpg#25 of 25 (0th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize-Large Station Wagons
1989117 mpg17 mpg#20 of 21 (5th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize-Large Station Wagons
1990116 mpg16 mpg#21 of 22 (5th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize-Large Station Wagons
1991117 mpg17 mpg#16 of 18 (12th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize-Large Station Wagons
1992117 mpg17 mpg#20 of 22 (10th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize-Large Station Wagons
1993118 mpg18 mpg#15 of 19 (22th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize-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 300TE placed highest in 1993 at #15 of 19, and lowest in 1988 at #25 of 25. It spent 0 of its 6 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
19933.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)162018638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19923.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)152017676.517.5$4,550522.7647058823529n/a
19913.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)152017676.517.5$4,550522.7647058823529n/a
19903.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)151916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
19893.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)152017676.517.5$4,550522.7647058823529n/a
19883.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)151916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 3 of 4 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1988 → 198916 → 17 mpg+1 mpg676 gal
1989 → 199017 → 16 mpg-1 mpg719 gal
1990 → 199116 → 17 mpg+1 mpg676 gal
1992 → 199317 → 18 mpg+1 mpg639 gal

What 300TE fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300TE burns 639 to 639 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$1,917$1,917$0
$3.50/gal$2,236$2,236$0
$4.00/gal$2,556$2,556$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1993 model year is $4,300 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $10,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Midsize-Large Station Wagons

Across the 53 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize-Large Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 18 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 300TE is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $319 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.