Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz C230 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz C230 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1997 to 2007. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (1997) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (2007). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

23best combined mpg (1997)
19worst combined mpg (2007)
19latest year best (2007)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1997123 mpg23 mpg#23 of 46 (51th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1998123 mpg23 mpg#28 of 47 (41th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2006222 mpg21 mpg#27 of 51 (48th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2007219 mpg19 mpg#37 of 47 (22th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremium or E85Compact 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 C230 placed highest in 1997 at #23 of 46, and lowest in 2007 at #37 of 47. It spent 1 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20072.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium or E85GAS 410, FFV172319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20072.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium or E85GAS 400, FFV172319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20062.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20062.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl192722522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
19982.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl202823500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
19972.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(FFS)202823500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1998 → 200623 → 22 mpg-1 mpg523 gal
2006 → 200722 → 19 mpg-3 mpg605 gal

What C230 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 burns 605 to 605 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$1,816$1,816$0
$3.50/gal$2,118$2,118$0
$4.00/gal$2,421$2,421$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2007 model year is $4,100 to $4,100 a year in fuel, or $9,250 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 19 mpg the Mercedes-Benz C230 is 7 mpg below the median, which is worth about $570 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.