Against 156 other V8 cars rated 1991–1993, the 500 sits right on their 15.1 mpg average.
Every Mercedes-Benz 500 engine, compared
The Mercedes-Benz 500 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5L 8-cyl | 12.8 / 16.3 | 1984–1993 | $2,704 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Camry gets 20.7 mpg, the Honda Accord 24.3 mpg and the Hyundai Elantra 22 mpg, next to 16 mpg for the 1993 500. The 500 costs the most of them to run: $820 a year more than the Honda Accord.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (1993) | $0.200 |
| Fuel per year | $2,400 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,000 |
| Against other V8 cars, 1991–1993 | −$143 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $5,092 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 gives up 4 mpg in town: 18 on the highway against 14 in the city, $610 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (1993) | 14 mpg | $2,743 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4 mpg (29%) | Typical for its type |
How the 500 changed over the years
The 500 peaked in 1993 at 16 mpg (14 city, 18 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1984 at 13 — 3 mpg apart, or $554 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1993 model gains 2 mpg against 14 for the 1992.
| 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 | |
| 1985 | 13 / 15 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1984 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 |
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
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz 500 — 1 engine 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 $5,092. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 get?
16 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the 500 has averaged 14.2 mpg.
Is the 1993 500 more efficient than the 1992?
Yes: 16 against 14 mpg combined, about $343 a year less to run.
Which 500 year has the best gas mileage?
The 1993, at 16 mpg combined (14 city, 18 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the 500 get better gas mileage than the Toyota Camry?
No: 16 mpg for the 1993 500 against 20.7 for the 1994 Toyota Camry, about $545 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.