Mercedes-Benz S-Class MPG — Gas Mileage by Engine and Year

Quick answer

Against 94 other V8 cars rated 2025–2027, the S-Class trails their 16.3 mpg average by 2.3 mpg, about $387 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1994, the 3L 6-cyl Hybrid (2015–2026), does 24.3 mpg and the thirstiest, the 4.2L 8-cyl (1994–1999), 15.8: $850 a year apart.

Every Mercedes-Benz S-Class engine, compared

Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Mercedes-Benz S-Class gas mileage by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
3L 6-cyl Hybrid	24.3	21.6 / 29.4	2015–2026	$1,580
3L 4-cyl Hybrid	23	21 / 26	2019–2019	$1,670
3L 6-cyl	22	19 / 28	2018–2020	$1,745
3.5L 6-cyl	21	19 / 26	1994–1995	$1,829
3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid	21	19 / 25	2010–2013	$1,829
4L 8-cyl	20.8	16.8 / 26.8	2018–2021	$1,846
4.7L 8-cyl	19.8	16.5 / 25.7	2012–2017	$1,939
4.3L 8-cyl	18.4	15.6 / 23	2000–2006	$2,087
3.2L 6-cyl	18	15 / 22	1996–1999	$2,133
3.7L 6-cyl	18	16 / 23	2006–2006	$2,133
5.5L 8-cyl	17.2	14.4 / 22.2	2007–2011	$2,233
4.2L 8-cyl	15.8	14 / 19.5	1994–1999	$2,430

ROWS 12·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

FIG.02·Mercedes-Benz S-Class fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile (2027)	$0.229
Fuel per year	$2,743
Fuel over five years	$13,715
Against other V8 cars, 2025–2027	+$387 a year
EPA's own estimate	$4,064 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gives up 8 mpg in town: 20 on the highway against 12 in the city, $1,280 a year if every mile were city driving.

FIG.03·Mercedes-Benz S-Class city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City (2027)	12 mpg	$3,200 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	20 mpg	$1,920 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	+8 mpg (67%)	Wide — this car dislikes traffic

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the S-Class changed over the years

The S-Class peaked in 2017 at 23.5 mpg (21 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2027 at 14 — 9.5 mpg apart, or $1,109 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2027 car does 14. The 2027 model loses 5 mpg against 19 for the 2026, with 1 version instead of 2.

FIG.04·Mercedes-Benz S-Class gas mileage by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
2027	14	12 / 20	1	$2,743
2026	19	16 / 24.5	2	$2,021
2025	19.5	16.5 / 25.5	2	$1,969
2024	19.5	16.5 / 25.5	2	$1,969
2023	18.5	16 / 24	2	$2,076
2022	19.5	16.5 / 25.5	2	$1,969
2021	22	18 / 27.5	2	$1,745
2020	22	19 / 27	3	$1,745
2019	22	19 / 27	3	$1,745
2018	21.5	18 / 27.5	2	$1,786
2017	23.5	21 / 28	2	$1,634
2016	23	20.5 / 28	2	$1,670
2015	23	20.5 / 28	2	$1,670
2014	20	17 / 26	1	$1,920
2013	20	17 / 25	2	$1,920
2012	20	17 / 25	2	$1,920
2011	19.5	17 / 24	2	$1,969
2010	19.5	17 / 24	2	$1,969
2009	17	14 / 22	1	$2,259
2008	16	14 / 21	1	$2,400
2007	17	14 / 22	1	$2,259
2006	18.5	16 / 23.5	2	$2,076
2005	19	16 / 24	1	$2,021
2004	19	16 / 24	1	$2,021
2003	18	15 / 22	1	$2,133
2002	18	15 / 22	1	$2,133
2001	18	16 / 23	1	$2,133
2000	18	15 / 22	1	$2,133
1999	17	14.5 / 21	2	$2,259
1998	17	14.5 / 21	2	$2,259

ROWS 30·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

This page rests on 59 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class — 13 engines across 1994–2027. 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 $4,064. Full method.

Everything on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Recalls180 campaigns Reliability3.5/5 Common problems779 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Used prices2,191 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1994–2026

Frequently asked questions

What mpg does the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?

14 mpg combined, 12 city and 20 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1994 the S-Class has averaged 19.5 mpg.

Is the 2027 S-Class more efficient than the 2026?

No: 14 against 19 mpg combined, about $722 a year more to run.

Which S-Class year has the best gas mileage?

The 2017, at 23.5 mpg combined (21 city, 28 highway).

Gas mileage ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Running cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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