- Newest year: 2011
- Gas
- Two-seaters
2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG & Fuel Cost
9 model years · 13–17 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 4 of 10 two-seater configurations, MY2011. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at a glance
The 2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class covers 9 model years in the EPA database (30 configurations in all), rated 13–17 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2011, costs about $4,810 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD (17 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. The best combined rating in the generation, 17 MPG, was reached in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2011.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Gas | 14–17 MPG | $4,810–$5,780 | Ratings changed |
| 2009 | Gas | 14–16 MPG | $5,020–$5,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2008 | Gas | 14–16 MPG | $5,020–$5,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2007 | Gas | 14–16 MPG | $5,020–$5,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2006 | Gas | 14–17 MPG | $4,730–$5,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 13–17 MPG | $4,730–$6,180 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 14–17 MPG | $4,730–$5,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 14–16 MPG | $5,020–$5,740 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 14–17 MPG | $4,730–$5,740 | First year |
What the 2011 SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$401
$4,810 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$8.02
Per 100 miles
$32.07
Five years
$24,050
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the two-seater median
$870more a year
Class median $3,940 a year, MY2011
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL550 (Most efficient) | 5.5L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 22 | 17 | $4,810 |
| SL63 AMG | 6.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 12 | 19 | 14 | $5,610 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,780 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–16 MPG · $5,020–$5,740/yr
Versus 2008: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $5,020.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL550 (Most efficient) | 5.5L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,020 |
| SL600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL63 AMG | 6.2L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 12 | 19 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–16 MPG · $5,020–$5,740/yr
Versus 2007: The most efficient configuration stays at 16 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $5,020.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL550 (Most efficient) | 5.5L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,020 |
| SL55 AMG | 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged | RWD | 12 | 17 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–16 MPG · $5,020–$5,740/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2006: The most efficient configuration moves from 17 to 16 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,730 to $5,020, $290 more.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL550 (Most efficient) | 5.5L 8-cyl | RWD | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,020 |
| SL55 AMG | 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged | RWD | 12 | 17 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–17 MPG · $4,730–$5,740/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,730.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL500 (Most efficient) | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 22 | 17 | $4,730 |
| SL55 AMG | 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged | RWD | 12 | 19 | 15 | $5,360 |
| SL600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
13–17 MPG · $4,730–$6,180/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,730.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL500 (Most efficient) | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| SL55 AMG | 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged | RWD | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 11 | 18 | 13 | $6,180 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–17 MPG · $4,730–$5,740/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration moves from 16 to 17 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $5,020 to $4,730, $290 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL500 (Most efficient) | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| SL55 AMG | 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged | RWD | 13 | 19 | 15 | $5,360 |
| SL600 | 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 12 | 17 | 14 | $5,740 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–16 MPG · $5,020–$5,740/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration moves from 17 to 16 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,730 to $5,020, $290 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL500 (Most efficient) | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,020 |
| SL55 AMG | 5.5L 8-cyl supercharged | RWD | 12 | 18 | 14 | $5,740 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–17 MPG · $4,730–$5,740/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL500 (Most efficient) | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,730 |
| SL600 | 6.0L 12-cyl | RWD | 12 | 17 | 14 | $5,740 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD: $5,740 in California and $4,170 in Texas, a $1,570 difference.
- California $5,740
- Washington $5,400
- New York $4,750
- Florida $4,400
- Texas $4,170
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2011 two-seater models.
Generations
- 2000-2001 (R129)
- 2002-2011 (R230)
- 2012-2020 (R231)
- 2022-2027*
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class get?
EPA rates the 2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at 13–17 MPG combined across 30 configurations and 9 model years. The most efficient version, the 2011 SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD, is rated 17 MPG (14 city, 22 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
The SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 17 MPG, in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2011. The lowest top rating, 16 MPG, was in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
How does the 2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2000-2001 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class) is rated 14–17 MPG combined and costs $4,730–$5,740 a year to fuel; the 2002-2011 model is rated 13–17 MPG and costs $4,730–$6,180 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,810 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $4,810–$5,780 a year. That is a $970 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 100 miles?
About $32.07 per 100 miles for the SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $32.07 and $38.53 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD is rated 14 city and 22 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 8 MPG.
How does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class compare with other two-seater configurations?
The SL550 5.5L 8-cyl RWD costs about $4,810 a year to fuel, $870 more than the class median of $3,940, and less than 4 of 10 two-seater configurations. The comparison covers all 67 rated two-seater configurations for MY2011, not weighted by sales.