Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz E430 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz E430 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 (2000). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

19best combined mpg (1999)
18worst combined mpg (2000)
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 56 (40th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2000118 mpg18 mpg#44 of 51 (14th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2001119 mpg19 mpg#33 of 54 (40th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2002118 mpg18 mpg#45 of 52 (14th 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 E430 placed highest in 2001 at #33 of 54, and lowest in 2002 at #45 of 52. 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-cyl162318638.916.5$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-cyl162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19994.3L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.3L 8-cyl172419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/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
1999 → 200019 → 18 mpg-1 mpg639 gal
2000 → 200118 → 19 mpg+1 mpg605 gal
2001 → 200219 → 18 mpg-1 mpg639 gal

What E430 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E430 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 Midsize Cars

Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 18 mpg the Mercedes-Benz E430 is 7 mpg below the median, which is worth about $626 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.