The Mercedes-Benz 300 does 21.3 mpg combined (19.3 city, 24.1 highway), which works out to about $1,803 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 5-cyl does 25.8 mpg while 3.8L 8-cyl does 15 — a difference of $1,072 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz 300 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz 300 ranges from 25.8 down to 15 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $1,072 a year across 6 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. 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
The Mercedes-Benz 300 burns a gallon every 21.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 563 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.150 |
| Fuel per year | $1,803 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,015 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$127 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,680 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz 300 gives up 4.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.1 out there against 19.3 in town, a 25% drop worth $397 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 19.3 mpg | $1,990 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.1 mpg | $1,593 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.8 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
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. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| 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 Mercedes-Benz 300 get?
21.3 mpg combined on average — 19.3 in the city and 24.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1993.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz 300 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,803 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,015 over five years, or 0.150 dollars a mile.
Which 300 engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 5-cyl at 25.8 mpg, against 15 for the 3.8L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,072 a year.
Is the 300 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world 300 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Mercedes-Benz 300 is $3,680 against the $1,803 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 15 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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