Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz SLK300 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz SLK300 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2009 to 2016. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (2016) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2009). The EPA record holds 7 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

27best combined mpg (2016)
20worst combined mpg (2009)
27latest year best (2016)
7configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2009221 mpg20 mpg#15 of 41 (65th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2010221 mpg21 mpg#14 of 35 (62th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2011221 mpg20 mpg#17 of 42 (61th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2016127 mpg27 mpg#7 of 54 (89th 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 SLK300 placed highest in 2016 at #7 of 54, and lowest in 2011 at #17 of 42. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 7 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20162.0L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop243227425.911.0$2,8503257/10
20113.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20113.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl192621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20103.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd PremiumPR192621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20103.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd PremiumPR182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20093.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl172620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20093.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 7-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl192621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

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

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2011 → 201621 → 27 mpg+6 mpg426 gal

What SLK300 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 burns 426 to 426 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$1,278$1,278$0
$3.50/gal$1,491$1,491$0
$4.00/gal$1,704$1,704$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2016 model year is $2,850 to $2,850 a year in fuel, or $3,000 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 27 mpg the Mercedes-Benz SLK300 is 9 mpg better the median, which is worth about $745 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.