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 19.8 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz 300 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.150 |
| Fuel per year | $1,803 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,015 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$136 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,680 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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
Combined figure by model year. 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.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
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 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.