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 15.6 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz GL-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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 | $0.195 |
| Fuel per year | $2,341 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,705 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$121 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,789 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 | 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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 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 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.