Mercedes-Benz 500SL MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz 500SL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1985 to 1993. Across those years its best rated version returned 16 mpg (1993) and its thirstiest returned 11 mpg (1992). The EPA record holds 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2 | 14 mpg | 14 mpg | #17 of 19 (11th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 1990 | 1 | 14 mpg | 14 mpg | #20 of 25 (21th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters |
| 1991 | 2 | 14 mpg | 13 mpg | #24 of 33 (28th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Two Seaters |
| 1992 | 2 | 14 mpg | 11 mpg | #23 of 30 (24th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters, Minicompact Cars |
| 1993 | 1 | 16 mpg | 16 mpg | #17 of 29 (43th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | 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 500SL placed highest in 1985 at #17 of 19, and lowest in 1991 at #24 of 33. It spent 0 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 8 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) | 14 | 19 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $4,850 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1992 | 5.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 10 | 13 | 11 | 1045.5 | 27.0 | $7,050 | 807.9090909090909 | n/a |
| 1992 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 13 | 17 | 14 | 821.4 | 21.3 | $5,550 | 634.7857142857143 | n/a |
| 1991 | 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 |
| 1991 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 13 | 17 | 14 | 821.4 | 21.3 | $5,550 | 634.7857142857143 | n/a |
| 1990 | 5.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (GUZZLER) (FFS) | 12 | 17 | 14 | 821.4 | 21.3 | $5,550 | 634.7857142857143 | 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 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 → 1993 | 14 → 16 mpg | +2 mpg | 719 gal |
What 500SL fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SL burns 719 to 719 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 | $2,156 | $2,156 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,516 | $2,516 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,875 | $2,875 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1993 model year is $4,850 to $4,850 a year in fuel, or $13,000 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 16 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 500SL is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $280 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.