Mercedes-Benz 380SL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz 380SL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1984 to 1985. Across those years its best rated version returned 15 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 2 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #10 of 13 (25th pct) | n/a | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1985 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #15 of 19 (22th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz 380SL placed highest in 1984 at #10 of 13, and lowest in 1985 at #15 of 19. It spent 0 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 3.8L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.8L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 15 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 3.8L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 15 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $4,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
What 380SL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL burns 767 to 767 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 | $2,300 | $2,300 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,683 | $2,683 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $3,067 | $3,067 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1985 model year is $4,150 to $4,150 a year in fuel, or $9,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Two Seaters
Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 15 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 380SL is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $447 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Two Seaters 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.