Mercedes-Benz C320 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz C320 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 2001 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 20 mpg (2003) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 8 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #52 of 62 (16th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2002 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #53 of 64 (17th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2003 | 2 | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | #47 of 64 (27th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2004 | 2 | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | #52 of 65 (20th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium, Premium or E85 | Compact Cars |
| 2005 | 2 | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | #55 of 66 (17th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium, Premium or E85 | Compact 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 C320 placed highest in 2003 at #47 of 64, and lowest in 2005 at #55 of 66. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2005 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium or E85 | 3.2L 6-cyl, FFV | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium or E85 | GAS 360, FFV | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 → 2003 | 19 → 20 mpg | +1 mpg | 575 gal |
What C320 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 burns 575 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,725 | $1,816 | $91 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,013 | $2,118 | $106 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,300 | $2,421 | $121 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $3,900 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 20 mpg the Mercedes-Benz C320 is 6 mpg below the median, which is worth about $464 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact Cars 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.