The Mercedes-Benz G-Class does 17.3 mpg combined (16.7 city, 18.3 highway), which works out to about $2,220 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 62 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 12.4 — a difference of $2,478 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz G-Class 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 68 / 56 | 2025–2026 | $619 | |
| 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | 17 / 19 | 2025–2026 | $2,133 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 13.8 / 16.3 | 2019–2024 | $2,560 | |
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 11.9 / 14.7 | 2003–2018 | $2,954 | |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 11.5 / 14.5 | 2004–2009 | $3,072 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 11.4 / 13.8 | 2002–2008 | $3,097 |
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 | $0.185 |
| Fuel per year | $2,220 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,100 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$242 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $5,372 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 | 16.7 mpg | $2,299 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 18.3 mpg | $2,098 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +1.6 mpg (10%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the G-Class 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 42.5 / 37.5 | 2 | $960 | |
| 2025 | 42.5 / 37.5 | 2 | $960 | |
| 2024 | 13 / 16 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2023 | 13 / 16 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2022 | 14 / 17 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2021 | 17 / 19 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2020 | 13 / 15 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2019 | 13 / 15 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2018 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2017 | 12 / 14 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2016 | 12 / 14 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2015 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2014 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2013 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2012 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2011 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2010 | 11 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2009 | 11 / 15 | 1 | $3,200 | |
| 2008 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2007 | 12 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2006 | 11 / 13 | 1 | $3,200 | |
| 2005 | 11 / 13 | 1 | $3,200 | |
| 2004 | 12 / 14 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2003 | 12 / 14 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2002 | 11 / 13 | 1 | $3,200 |
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 G-Class get?
17.3 mpg combined on average — 16.7 in the city and 18.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2002–2026.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz G-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $2,220 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,100 over five years, or 0.185 dollars a mile.
Which G-Class engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 62 mpg, against 12.4 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $2,478 a year.
Is the G-Class 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.