Mercedes-Benz S500 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz S500 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 11 model years, from 1996 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 17 mpg (2000) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1996). The EPA record holds 11 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Large Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz S500 placed highest in 1998 at #18 of 24, and lowest in 2006 at #33 of 49. It spent 0 of its 11 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 11 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

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.

What S500 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz S500 burns 676 to 676 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $4,550 to $4,550 a year in fuel, or $11,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Large Cars

Across the 305 nameplates EPA classifies as Large Cars, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 17 mpg the Mercedes-Benz S500 is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $451 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Large 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.