Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz SL450 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz SL450 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2017 to 2020. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (2017) and its thirstiest returned 22 mpg (2020). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

23best combined mpg (2017)
22worst combined mpg (2020)
22latest year best (2020)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2017123 mpg23 mpg#17 of 47 (65th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2018123 mpg23 mpg#15 of 58 (75th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2019123 mpg23 mpg#17 of 62 (74th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2020122 mpg22 mpg#18 of 60 (71th 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 SL450 placed highest in 2018 at #15 of 58, and lowest in 2020 at #18 of 60. It spent 4 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
20203.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202822522.713.5$3,5003954/10
20193.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202823500.012.9$3,3503875/10
20183.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202823500.012.9$3,3503835/10
20173.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202823500.012.9$3,3503835/10

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2019 → 202023 → 22 mpg-1 mpg523 gal

What SL450 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL450 burns 523 to 523 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$1,568$1,568$0
$3.50/gal$1,830$1,830$0
$4.00/gal$2,091$2,091$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2020 model year is $3,500 to $3,500 a year in fuel, or $6,250 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 22 mpg the Mercedes-Benz SL450 is 4 mpg better the median, which is worth about $407 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.