The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class does 16.4 mpg combined (14.4 city, 19.2 highway), which works out to about $2,341 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 19.5 mpg while 4.6L 8-cyl does 15 — a difference of $591 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz GL-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class ranges from 19.5 down to 15 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $591 a year across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 17.5 / 22.3 | 2007–2016 | $1,969 | |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 13.3 / 18.1 | 2010–2016 | $2,543 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 13 / 17.7 | 2007–2009 | $2,560 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class burns a gallon every 16.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 732 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.195 |
| Fuel per year | $2,341 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,705 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$44 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,789 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class gives up 4.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.2 out there against 14.4 in town, a 33% drop worth $667 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 | 14.4 mpg | $2,667 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.2 mpg | $2,000 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.8 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the GL-Class changed over the years
The GL-Class peaked in 2008 at 17.5 mpg (15.5 city, 21 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2010 at 14 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $549 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2016 car does 17. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 15 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2015 | 15 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 2014 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2013 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2012 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2011 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2010 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2009 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2008 | 15.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2007 | 15.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,194 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 14 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class — 3 engines across 2007–2016. 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 $4,789. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class get?
16.4 mpg combined on average — 14.4 in the city and 19.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2016.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $2,341 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,705 over five years, or 0.195 dollars a mile.
Which GL-Class engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 19.5 mpg, against 15 for the 4.6L 8-cyl — a difference of about $591 a year.
Is the GL-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world GL-Class 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 GL-Class is $4,789 against the $2,341 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 20 and 14 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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