Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz CLK430 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz CLK430 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1999 to 2002. Across those years its best rated version returned 19 mpg (1999) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

19best combined mpg (1999)
18worst combined mpg (2002)
18latest year best (2002)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1999119 mpg19 mpg#34 of 40 (15th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2000119 mpg19 mpg#32 of 39 (18th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2001119 mpg19 mpg#26 of 37 (31th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2002118 mpg18 mpg#26 of 34 (24th 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 CLK430 placed highest in 2001 at #26 of 37, and lowest in 1999 at #34 of 40. It spent 0 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 4 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20024.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.3L 8-cyl162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20014.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.3L 8-cyl162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20004.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.3L 8-cyl162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
19994.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.3L 8-cyl162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/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
2001 → 200219 → 18 mpg-1 mpg639 gal

What CLK430 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 burns 639 to 639 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$1,917$1,917$0
$3.50/gal$2,236$2,236$0
$4.00/gal$2,556$2,556$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2002 model year is $4,300 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $10,250 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 18 mpg the Mercedes-Benz CLK430 is 6 mpg below the median, which is worth about $559 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.