The Mercedes-Benz 500 does 19.6 mpg combined (17.9 city, 22.1 highway), which works out to about $1,959 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 27.8 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 14.2 — a difference of $1,323 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz 500 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 | 25.5 / 30.8 | 1986–1989 | $1,381 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 18 / 22 | 1986–1986 | $1,920 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 12.8 / 16.3 | 1984–1993 | $2,704 |
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 | $0.163 |
| Fuel per year | $1,959 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,795 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$503 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,023 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 | 17.9 mpg | $2,145 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.1 mpg | $1,738 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.2 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the 500 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 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1992 | 13 / 16 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1991 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1990 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1989 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1988 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1987 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1986 | 22 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 1985 | 13 / 15 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1984 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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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 500 get?
19.6 mpg combined on average — 17.9 in the city and 22.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1993.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz 500 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,959 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,795 over five years, or 0.163 dollars a mile.
Which 500 engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 5-cyl at 27.8 mpg, against 14.2 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,323 a year.
Is the 500 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg, computed across 4665 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.