Mercedes-Benz ML320 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mercedes-Benz ML320 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 1998 to 2003. Across those years its best rated version returned 17 mpg (1998) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | #20 of 42 (54th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
| 1999 | 1 | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | #16 of 42 (63th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| 2000 | 1 | 16 mpg | 16 mpg | #23 of 46 (51th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| 2001 | 1 | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | #24 of 59 (60th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| 2002 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #49 of 72 (32th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| 2003 | 1 | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | #57 of 81 (30th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz ML320 placed highest in 1999 at #16 of 42, and lowest in 2003 at #57 of 81. It spent 4 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3.2L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.2L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 14 | 17 | 15 | 766.7 | 19.8 | $5,150 | 592.4666666666667 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.2L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 15 | 19 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 2000 | 3.2L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 15 | 18 | 16 | 718.8 | 18.6 | $4,850 | 555.4375 | n/a |
| 1999 | 3.2L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 15 | 19 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 1998 | 3.2L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.2L 6-cyl | 15 | 20 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/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.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 → 2000 | 17 → 16 mpg | -1 mpg | 719 gal |
| 2000 → 2001 | 16 → 17 mpg | +1 mpg | 676 gal |
| 2001 → 2002 | 17 → 15 mpg | -2 mpg | 767 gal |
What ML320 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320 burns 767 to 767 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 | $2,300 | $2,300 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,683 | $2,683 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $3,067 | $3,067 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2003 model year is $5,150 to $5,150 a year in fuel, or $14,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Across the 219 nameplates EPA classifies as Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 15 mpg the Mercedes-Benz ML320 is 6 mpg below the median, which is worth about $767 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD 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.