Tank Ledger

Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2003 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 20 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

20best combined mpg (2004)
18worst combined mpg (2003)
19latest year best (2005)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2003219 mpg18 mpg#50 of 64 (22th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2004220 mpg19 mpg#53 of 65 (19th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremium, Premium or E85Compact Cars
2005219 mpg18 mpg#56 of 66 (15th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremium, Premium or E85Compact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe placed highest in 2003 at #50 of 64, and lowest in 2005 at #56 of 66. It spent 0 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
20053.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl162218638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20053.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium or E853.2L 6-cyl, FFV172219605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20043.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl172419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20043.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium or E853.2L 6-cyl, FFV182420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20033.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20033.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl172319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/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
2003 → 200419 → 20 mpg+1 mpg575 gal
2004 → 200520 → 19 mpg-1 mpg605 gal

What Sports Coupe fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe burns 605 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$1,816$1,917$101
$3.50/gal$2,118$2,236$118
$4.00/gal$2,421$2,556$135

EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $4,100 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $10,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 19 mpg the Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe is 7 mpg below the median, which is worth about $570 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.