Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz CLK320 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz CLK320 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 8 model years, from 1998 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (1998) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 8 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

22best combined mpg (1998)
20worst combined mpg (2002)
21latest year best (2005)
8configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1998122 mpg22 mpg#24 of 42 (44th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1999121 mpg21 mpg#27 of 40 (33th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2000121 mpg21 mpg#27 of 39 (32th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2001121 mpg21 mpg#22 of 37 (42th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2002120 mpg20 mpg#22 of 34 (36th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2003120 mpg20 mpg#15 of 28 (48th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2004120 mpg20 mpg#14 of 31 (57th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2005121 mpg21 mpg#14 of 29 (54th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact 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 CLK320 placed highest in 2004 at #14 of 31, and lowest in 1999 at #27 of 40. It spent 2 of its 8 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 8 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20053.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20043.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20033.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl172420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20023.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl182520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20013.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20003.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
19993.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
19983.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl192722522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1998 → 199922 → 21 mpg-1 mpg548 gal
2001 → 200221 → 20 mpg-1 mpg575 gal
2004 → 200520 → 21 mpg+1 mpg548 gal

What CLK320 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 burns 548 to 548 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$1,643$1,643$0
$3.50/gal$1,917$1,917$0
$4.00/gal$2,190$2,190$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $3,700 to $3,700 a year in fuel, or $7,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Subcompact Cars

Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 21 mpg the Mercedes-Benz CLK320 is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $240 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.