Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1999 to 2003. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (2001) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

23best combined mpg (2001)
20worst combined mpg (2003)
22latest year best (2003)
10configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1999222 mpg22 mpg#3 of 20 (89th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2000222 mpg22 mpg#4 of 21 (85th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2001223 mpg21 mpg#6 of 28 (81th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2002223 mpg21 mpg#5 of 30 (86th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2003222 mpg20 mpg#4 of 30 (90th 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 SLK230 Kompressor placed highest in 1999 at #3 of 20, and lowest in 2001 at #6 of 28. It spent 5 of its 5 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
20032.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20032.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl192622522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
20022.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20022.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged202723500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
20012.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20012.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged202723500.012.9$3,350386.39130434782606n/a
20002.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged202722522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
20002.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged192822522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
19992.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged192722522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
19992.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, supercharged192822522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2000 → 200122 → 23 mpg+1 mpg500 gal
2002 → 200323 → 22 mpg-1 mpg523 gal

What SLK230 Kompressor fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 Kompressor burns 523 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$1,568$1,725$157
$3.50/gal$1,830$2,013$183
$4.00/gal$2,091$2,300$209

EPA’s own estimate for the 2003 model year is $3,500 to $3,900 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 SLK230 Kompressor 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.