Against 275 other V6 cars rated 1991–1993, the 300 beats their 18.4 mpg average by 4.1 mpg, about $380 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 2.5L 5-cyl (1990–1993), does 25.8 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3.8L 8-cyl (1984), 15: $1,072 a year apart.
Every Mercedes-Benz 300 engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 23 / 29.8 | 1990–1993 | $1,488 | |
| 3L 5-cyl | 20 / 23 | 1984–1985 | $1,786 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.2 / 22.4 | 1986–1990 | $1,920 | |
| 2.6L 6-cyl | 17.5 / 22.5 | 1991–1992 | $1,969 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 / 22 | 1993–1993 | $2,021 | |
| 3.8L 8-cyl | 15 / 17 | 1984–1984 | $2,560 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Corolla gets 26.3 mpg, the Volkswagen Jetta 24.5 mpg and the Subaru Legacy 23 mpg, next to 22.5 mpg for the 1993 300. The 300 costs the most of them to run: $247 a year more than the Toyota Corolla.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (1993) | $0.142 |
| Fuel per year | $1,707 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,535 |
| Against other V6 cars, 1991–1993 | −$380 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,680 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 gives up 6 mpg in town: 26 on the highway against 20 in the city, $443 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (1993) | 20 mpg | $1,920 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 300 changed over the years
The 300 peaked in 1987 at 24 mpg (22 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 18 — 6 mpg apart, or $533 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1993 car does 22.5. The biggest single-year change came in 1988: 24 to 18 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1992 | 20.5 / 26 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1991 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1990 | 19.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1989 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1988 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1987 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1986 | 21 / 24 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1985 | 19 / 23 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1984 | 18 / 20 | 2 | $2,076 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 15 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz 300 — 6 engines across 1984–1993. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,680. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 get?
22.5 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, per EPA; its 2 versions that year range from 19 to 26. Across every year since 1984 the 300 has averaged 21.3 mpg.
Is the 1993 300 more efficient than the 1992?
About the same: 22.5 against 22.5 mpg combined.
Which 300 year has the best gas mileage?
The 1987, at 24 mpg combined (22 city, 27 highway).
Does the 300 get better gas mileage than the Toyota Corolla?
No: 22.5 mpg for the 1993 300 against 26.3 for the 1994 Toyota Corolla, about $247 a year more to run.
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