The Mercedes-Benz S-Class does 19.5 mpg combined (16.7 city, 24.4 highway), which works out to about $1,969 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl Hybrid does 24.3 mpg while 4.2L 8-cyl does 15.8 — a difference of $850 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz S-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 Hybrid | 21.6 / 29.4 | 2015–2026 | $1,580 | |
| 3L 4-cyl Hybrid | 21 / 26 | 2019–2019 | $1,670 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 19 / 28 | 2018–2020 | $1,745 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 / 26 | 1994–1995 | $1,829 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid | 19 / 25 | 2010–2013 | $1,829 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 16.8 / 26.8 | 2018–2021 | $1,846 | |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 16.5 / 25.7 | 2012–2017 | $1,939 | |
| 4.3L 8-cyl | 15.6 / 23 | 2000–2006 | $2,087 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 15 / 22 | 1996–1999 | $2,133 | |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 16 / 23 | 2006–2006 | $2,133 | |
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 14.4 / 22.2 | 2007–2011 | $2,233 | |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 14 / 19.5 | 1994–1999 | $2,430 |
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 | $0.164 |
| Fuel per year | $1,969 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,845 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$493 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,064 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 | 24.4 mpg | $1,574 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.7 mpg (46%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the S-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 12 / 20 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2026 | 16 / 24.5 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2025 | 16.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2024 | 16.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2023 | 16 / 24 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2022 | 16.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2021 | 18 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2020 | 19 / 27 | 3 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 19 / 27 | 3 | $1,745 | |
| 2018 | 18 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2017 | 21 / 28 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2016 | 20.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 20.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2014 | 17 / 26 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 25 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2012 | 17 / 25 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2011 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2010 | 17 / 24 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2009 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2008 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2006 | 16 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2005 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2003 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2001 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1999 | 14.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,259 | |
| 1998 | 14.5 / 21 | 2 | $2,259 |
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 S-Class get?
19.5 mpg combined on average — 16.7 in the city and 24.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1994–2027.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz S-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,969 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,845 over five years, or 0.164 dollars a mile.
Which S-Class engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl Hybrid at 24.3 mpg, against 15.8 for the 4.2L 8-cyl — a difference of about $850 a year.
Is the S-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.