Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz E420 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz E420 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 1994 to 1997. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (1994) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1994). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

18best combined mpg (1994)
18worst combined mpg (1994)
18latest year best (1997)
3configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1994118 mpg18 mpg#44 of 53 (17th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1995118 mpg18 mpg#54 of 60 (10th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
1997118 mpg18 mpg#38 of 43 (12th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize 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 E420 placed highest in 1997 at #38 of 43, and lowest in 1995 at #54 of 60. It spent 0 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.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19974.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(FFS)162318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19954.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19944.2L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a

What E420 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 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 1997 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 Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 18 mpg the Mercedes-Benz E420 is 8 mpg below the median, which is worth about $688 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.