Tank Ledger

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

The Mercedes-Benz 560SL has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1986 to 1992. Across those years its best rated version returned 14 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 11 mpg (1992). The EPA record holds 5 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Minicompact Cars.

14best combined mpg (1986)
11worst combined mpg (1992)
11latest year best (1992)
5configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1986114 mpg14 mpg#17 of 20 (16th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1987114 mpg14 mpg#19 of 24 (22th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1988114 mpg14 mpg#21 of 26 (20th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1989114 mpg14 mpg#21 of 24 (13th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1992111 mpg11 mpg#12 of 12 (0th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact 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 560SL placed highest in 1992 at #12 of 12, and lowest in 1988 at #21 of 26. It spent 0 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 5 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
19895.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
19885.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
19875.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
19865.6L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1989 → 199214 → 11 mpg-3 mpg1045 gal

What 560SL fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 560SL 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 Two Seaters

Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 11 mpg the Mercedes-Benz 560SL is 7 mpg below the median, which is worth about $1,423 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.