The Mercedes-Benz M-Class does 22.2 mpg combined (19.4 city, 26.8 highway), which works out to about $1,730 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 28 mpg while 4L 8-cyl does 20 — a difference of $549 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz M-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24 / 35 | 2019–2019 | $1,371 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 20.7 / 28.7 | 2003–2005 | $1,620 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20.5 / 26.5 | 1995–1996 | $1,707 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 19.4 / 26.8 | 1997–2002 | $1,730 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.7 / 26 | 2008–2018 | $1,770 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 25 | 2006–2007 | $1,873 | |
| 2.6L 6-cyl | 18 / 24 | 2001–2001 | $1,920 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 18 / 24 | 2016–2016 | $1,920 |
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 | $0.144 |
| Fuel per year | $1,730 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,650 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$218 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,488 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 | 19.4 mpg | $1,979 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.8 mpg | $1,433 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the M-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2016 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2011 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2006 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2005 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2004 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2003 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2002 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2000 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1999 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1998 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1997 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1996 | 21 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1995 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 |
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 M-Class get?
22.2 mpg combined on average — 19.4 in the city and 26.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2019.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz M-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,730 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,650 over five years, or 0.144 dollars a mile.
Which M-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 28 mpg, against 20 for the 4L 8-cyl — a difference of about $549 a year.
Is the M-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 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.