Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz 560SEC MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz 560SEC has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 1986 to 1992. Across those years its best rated version returned 14 mpg (1990) and its thirstiest returned 11 mpg (1992). The EPA record holds 7 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

14best combined mpg (1990)
11worst combined mpg (1992)
11latest year best (1992)
7configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1986113 mpg13 mpg#46 of 48 (4th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1987113 mpg13 mpg#56 of 57 (2th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1988113 mpg13 mpg#53 of 53 (0th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1989113 mpg13 mpg#49 of 49 (0th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1990114 mpg14 mpg#46 of 46 (0th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1991114 mpg14 mpg#57 of 60 (5th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1992111 mpg11 mpg#57 of 58 (2th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact 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 560SEC placed highest in 1986 at #46 of 48, and lowest in 1991 at #57 of 60. It spent 0 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 7 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19925.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)1013111045.527.0$7,050807.9090909090909n/a
19915.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
19905.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
19895.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121513884.622.9$5,950683.6153846153846n/a
19885.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121513884.622.9$5,950683.6153846153846n/a
19875.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121513884.622.9$5,950683.6153846153846n/a
19865.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)121513884.622.9$5,950683.6153846153846n/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.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1989 → 199013 → 14 mpg+1 mpg821 gal
1991 → 199214 → 11 mpg-3 mpg1045 gal

What 560SEC fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC burns 1045 to 1045 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$3,136$3,136$0
$3.50/gal$3,659$3,659$0
$4.00/gal$4,182$4,182$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1992 model year is $7,050 to $7,050 a year in fuel, or $24,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 11 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 560SEC is 15 mpg below the median, which is worth about $2,111 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.