Mercedes-Benz 420SEL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz 420SEL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 1986 to 1991. Across those years its best rated version returned 15 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (1986). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #34 of 38 (11th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 1987 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #35 of 38 (8th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 1988 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #40 of 43 (7th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 1989 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #46 of 52 (12th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 1990 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #45 of 51 (12th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 1991 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #49 of 57 (14th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize 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 420SEL placed highest in 1986 at #34 of 38, and lowest in 1991 at #49 of 57. 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.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 4.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1990 | 4.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1989 | 4.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1988 | 4.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1987 | 4.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 1986 | 4.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI) | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
What 420SEL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL 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 1991 model year is $5,150 to $5,150 a year in fuel, or $14,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Cars
Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 15 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 420SEL is 10 mpg below the median, which is worth about $1,073 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize 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.