Mercedes-Benz 500SEL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz 500SEL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1984 to 1993. Across those years its best rated version returned 14 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 13 mpg (1984). The EPA record holds 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 2 | 13 mpg | 13 mpg | #30 of 32 (6th pct) | n/a | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1985 | 3 | 14 mpg | 13 mpg | #32 of 34 (6th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 1993 | 1 | 13 mpg | 13 mpg | #24 of 25 (4th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | 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 500SEL placed highest in 1993 at #24 of 25, and lowest in 1985 at #32 of 34. It spent 0 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.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 12 | 16 | 13 | 884.6 | 22.9 | $5,950 | 683.6153846153846 | n/a |
| 1985 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 12 | 15 | 13 | 884.6 | 22.9 | $4,800 | 683.6153846153846 | n/a |
| 1985 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) CA model | 13 | 15 | 14 | 821.4 | 21.3 | $4,450 | 634.7857142857143 | n/a |
| 1985 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 13 | 15 | 14 | 821.4 | 21.3 | $4,450 | 634.7857142857143 | n/a |
| 1984 | 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) | 12 | 15 | 13 | 884.6 | 22.9 | $4,800 | 683.6153846153846 | n/a |
| 1984 | 5.0L 8-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular | (GUZZLER) CA model | 12 | 15 | 13 | 884.6 | 22.9 | $4,800 | 683.6153846153846 | n/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.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 → 1985 | 13 → 14 mpg | +1 mpg | 821 gal |
| 1985 → 1993 | 14 → 13 mpg | -1 mpg | 885 gal |
What 500SEL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL burns 885 to 885 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 | $2,654 | $2,654 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $3,096 | $3,096 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $3,538 | $3,538 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1993 model year is $5,950 to $5,950 a year in fuel, or $18,500 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 13 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 500SEL is 12 mpg below the median, which is worth about $1,486 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.