Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1995 to 1997. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (1996) and its thirstiest returned 25 mpg (1995). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | #16 of 60 (75th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Compact Cars |
| 1996 | 1 | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | #14 of 52 (75th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Compact Cars |
| 1997 | 1 | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | #5 of 43 (90th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Midsize 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 E300 Diesel placed highest in 1997 at #5 of 43, and lowest in 1995 at #16 of 60. It spent 3 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.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Diesel | (FFS), Diesel | 23 | 30 | 26 | 442.3 | 13.7 | $3,450 | 391.53846153846155 | n/a |
| 1996 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel | 3.0L 6-cyl, Diesel | 24 | 32 | 27 | 425.9 | 13.2 | $3,300 | 377.037037037037 | n/a |
| 1995 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Diesel | 3.0L 6-cyl, Diesel | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 14.3 | $3,600 | 407.2 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 → 1996 | 25 → 27 mpg | +2 mpg | 426 gal |
| 1996 → 1997 | 27 → 26 mpg | -1 mpg | 442 gal |
What E300 Diesel fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel burns 442 to 442 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 | $1,327 | $1,327 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,548 | $1,548 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,769 | $1,769 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1997 model year is $3,450 to $3,450 a year in fuel, or $6,000 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 26 mpg the Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel is exactly at the median.
- 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.