Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz SLK280 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz SLK280 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2006 to 2008. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2006) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2006). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

21best combined mpg (2006)
20worst combined mpg (2006)
20latest year best (2008)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2006221 mpg20 mpg#10 of 39 (76th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2007220 mpg20 mpg#14 of 36 (63th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2008220 mpg20 mpg#18 of 46 (62th 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 SLK280 placed highest in 2006 at #10 of 39, and lowest in 2008 at #18 of 46. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20083.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20083.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20073.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20073.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20063.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20063.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182521547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a

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
2006 → 200721 → 20 mpg-1 mpg575 gal

What SLK280 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 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 2008 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 Two Seaters

Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 20 mpg the Mercedes-Benz SLK280 is 2 mpg better the median, which is worth about $224 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.