Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz C220 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz C220 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1994 to 1996. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (1996) and its thirstiest returned 22 mpg (1994). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

23best combined mpg (1996)
22worst combined mpg (1994)
23latest year best (1996)
3configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1994122 mpg22 mpg#28 of 53 (48th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1995122 mpg22 mpg#32 of 60 (47th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1996123 mpg23 mpg#29 of 52 (45th 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 C220 placed highest in 1994 at #28 of 53, and lowest in 1995 at #32 of 60. It spent 0 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 3 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19962.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)212723500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
19952.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)202622522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
19942.2L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)192622522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/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.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1995 → 199622 → 23 mpg+1 mpg500 gal

What C220 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C220 burns 500 to 500 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$1,500$1,500$0
$3.50/gal$1,750$1,750$0
$4.00/gal$2,000$2,000$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1996 model year is $3,350 to $3,350 a year in fuel, or $5,500 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 23 mpg the Mercedes-Benz C220 is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $202 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.