Mercedes-Benz E320 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz E320 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 8 model years, from 1996 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2000) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1996). The EPA record holds 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #42 of 52 (20th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 1997 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #22 of 43 (50th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2000 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #16 of 51 (70th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2001 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #20 of 54 (64th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2002 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #19 of 52 (65th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2003 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #26 of 46 (44th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2004 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #32 of 55 (43th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2005 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #34 of 56 (40th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | 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 E320 placed highest in 2000 at #16 of 51, and lowest in 1996 at #42 of 52. It spent 4 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.
| 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 Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 | 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 | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1997 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1996 | 3.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 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. 2 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 → 1997 | 19 → 20 mpg | +1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 1997 → 2000 | 20 → 21 mpg | +1 mpg | 548 gal |
| 2002 → 2003 | 21 → 20 mpg | -1 mpg | 575 gal |
What E320 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 burns 575 to 575 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 | $1,725 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,013 | $2,013 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,300 | $2,300 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $3,900 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Cars
Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 20 mpg the Mercedes-Benz E320 is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $403 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize 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.