Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz SL320 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz SL320 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 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 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

18best combined mpg (1994)
18worst combined mpg (1994)
18latest year best (1997)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1994118 mpg18 mpg#10 of 19 (50th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1995118 mpg18 mpg#10 of 19 (50th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1996118 mpg18 mpg#8 of 14 (46th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
1997118 mpg18 mpg#7 of 13 (50th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz SL320 placed highest in 1997 at #7 of 13, and lowest in 1994 at #10 of 19. It spent 3 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
19973.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(FFS)162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19963.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(FFS)152218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19953.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(FFS)152218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
19943.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)152218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a

What SL320 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL320 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 Two Seaters

Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 18 mpg the Mercedes-Benz SL320 is exactly at the median.

Other Mercedes-Benz nameplates

Every Mercedes-Benz model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.