Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz ML350 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz ML350 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 10 model years, from 2003 to 2015. Across those years its best rated version returned 20 mpg (2013) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD.

20best combined mpg (2013)
15worst combined mpg (2003)
20latest year best (2015)
10configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2003115 mpg15 mpg#58 of 81 (29th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2004115 mpg15 mpg#59 of 85 (31th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2005115 mpg15 mpg#64 of 87 (27th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2006116 mpg16 mpg#58 of 93 (38th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2009118 mpg18 mpg#54 of 82 (35th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2010118 mpg18 mpg#59 of 80 (27th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2011117 mpg17 mpg#69 of 78 (12th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2013120 mpg20 mpg#6 of 26 (80th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2014120 mpg20 mpg#8 of 25 (71th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2015120 mpg20 mpg#10 of 28 (67th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz ML350 placed highest in 2013 at #6 of 26, and lowest in 2011 at #69 of 78. It spent 3 of its 10 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20153.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd PremiumSIDI182320575.014.9$3,9004405/10
20143.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd PremiumSIDI182320575.014.9$3,9004405/10
20133.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd PremiumSIDI182320575.014.9$3,9004445/10
20113.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.5L 6-cyl162117676.517.5$4,550522.7647058823529n/a
20103.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd PremiumPR162118638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20093.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.5L 6-cyl162118638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20063.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.5L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20053.7L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.7L 6-cyl141715766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a
20043.7L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.7L 6-cyl141715766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a
20033.7L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.7L 6-cyl141715766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 3 of 4 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2005 → 200615 → 16 mpg+1 mpg719 gal
2006 → 200916 → 18 mpg+2 mpg639 gal
2010 → 201118 → 17 mpg-1 mpg676 gal
2011 → 201317 → 20 mpg+3 mpg575 gal

What ML350 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$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 2015 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 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Across the 219 nameplates EPA classifies as Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 20 mpg the Mercedes-Benz ML350 is 1 mpg below the median, which is worth about $96 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.