The Mercedes-Benz R-Class does 17 mpg combined (15.2 city, 20.4 highway), which works out to about $2,259 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 21 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 14 — a difference of $914 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz R-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz R-Class ranges from 21 down to 14 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $914 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 | 18.5 / 25 | 2007–2008 | $1,829 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 15.2 / 19.8 | 2006–2013 | $2,299 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 12 / 17.5 | 2006–2007 | $2,743 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class burns a gallon every 17 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 706 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.188 |
| Fuel per year | $2,259 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,295 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$329 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,620 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class gives up 5.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 20.4 out there against 15.2 in town, a 34% drop worth $644 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 | 15.2 mpg | $2,526 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20.4 mpg | $1,882 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.2 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the R-Class changed over the years
The R-Class peaked in 2008 at 21 mpg (18 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 15 — 6 mpg apart, or $731 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2013 car does 18. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2012 | 16 / 21 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2011 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2010 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2009 | 15 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2008 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 15.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,194 | |
| 2006 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,560 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class — 3 engines across 2006–2013. 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 $4,620. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz R-Class get?
17 mpg combined on average — 15.2 in the city and 20.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2006–2013.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz R-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $2,259 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,295 over five years, or 0.188 dollars a mile.
Which R-Class engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 21 mpg, against 14 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $914 a year.
Is the R-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world R-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 R-Class is $4,620 against the $2,259 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 14 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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