- Newest year: 2020
- Gas
- Two-seaters
2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG & Fuel Cost
9 model years · 14–23 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 two-seater configurations, MY2020. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at a glance
The 2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class covers 9 model years in the EPA database (29 configurations in all), rated 14–23 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2020, costs about $3,570 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD (22 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The best combined rating in the generation, 23 MPG, was reached in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Gas | 20–22 MPG | $3,570–$3,960 | Ratings changed |
| 2019 | Gas | 18–23 MPG | $3,530–$4,440 | Ratings changed |
| 2018 | Gas | 16–23 MPG | $3,480–$4,960 | Ratings changed |
| 2017 | Gas | 16–23 MPG | $3,480–$4,960 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Gas | 17–23 MPG | $3,550–$4,860 | Ratings changed |
| 2015 | Gas | 17–23 MPG | $3,570–$4,850 | Ratings changed |
| 2014 | Gas | 17–20 MPG | $4,000–$4,850 | Ratings changed |
| 2013 | Gas | 17–20 MPG | $4,060–$4,840 | Ratings changed |
| 2012 | Gas | 14–17 MPG | $4,820–$5,630 | First year |
What the 2020 SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD costs to drive
Per month
$298
$3,570 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.95
Per 100 miles
$23.80
Five years
$17,850
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the two-seater median
$790less a year
Class median $4,360 a year, MY2020
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
Versus 2019: The most efficient configuration moves from 23 to 22 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,530 to $3,570, $40 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL450 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 28 | 22 | $3,570 |
| SL550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,960 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2019 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
18–23 MPG · $3,530–$4,440/yr
Versus 2018: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $3,480 to $3,530, $50 more.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL450 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,530 |
| SL550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,960 |
| AMG SL63 | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,440 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2018 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
16–23 MPG · $3,480–$4,960/yr
Versus 2017: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,480.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL450 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,480 |
| SL550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,020 |
| AMG SL63 | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,240 |
| AMG SL65 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 13 | 22 | 16 | $4,960 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
16–23 MPG · $3,480–$4,960/yr
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $3,550 to $3,480, $70 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL450 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,480 |
| SL550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,020 |
| AMG SL63 | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,240 |
| AMG SL65 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 13 | 22 | 16 | $4,960 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
17–23 MPG · $3,550–$4,860/yr
Versus 2015: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $3,570 to $3,550, $20 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL400 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
| SL550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,220 |
| AMG SL63 | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,240 |
| AMG SL65 | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,860 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2015 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
17–23 MPG · $3,570–$4,850/yr
Versus 2014: The most efficient configuration moves from 20 to 23 MPG, up 3. Its annual cost goes from $4,000 to $3,570, $430 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL400 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,570 |
| SL550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,020 |
| SL63 AMG | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,240 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2014 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
17–20 MPG · $4,000–$4,850/yr
Versus 2013: The most efficient configuration stays at 20 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $4,060 to $4,000, $60 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL550 (Most efficient) | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,000 |
| SL63 AMG | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,240 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
17–20 MPG · $4,060–$4,840/yr
Versus 2012: The most efficient configuration moves from 17 to 20 MPG, up 3. Its annual cost goes from $4,820 to $4,060, $760 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL550 (Most efficient) | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,060 |
| SL63 AMG | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,240 |
| SL65 AMG | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,840 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class MPG
14–17 MPG · $4,820–$5,630/yr
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL550 (Most efficient) | 5.5L 8-cyl | RWD | 14 | 22 | 17 | $4,820 |
| SL63 AMG | 6.2L 8-cyl | RWD | 12 | 19 | 14 | $5,630 |
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 SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD: $4,260 in California and $3,100 in Texas, a $1,160 difference.
- California $4,260
- Washington $4,000
- New York $3,530
- Florida $3,260
- Texas $3,100
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2020 two-seater models.
Generations
- 2000-2001 (R129)
- 2002-2011 (R230)
- 2012-2020 (R231)
- 2022-2027*
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class get?
EPA rates the 2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class at 14–23 MPG combined across 29 configurations and 9 model years. The most efficient version, the 2019 SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD, is rated 23 MPG (20 city, 28 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
The SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 23 MPG, in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The lowest top rating, 17 MPG, was in 2012.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
How does the 2012-2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2002-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class) is rated 13–17 MPG combined and costs $4,730–$6,180 a year to fuel; the 2012-2020 model is rated 14–23 MPG and costs $3,480–$5,630 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD costs about $3,570 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $3,570–$3,960 a year. That is a $390 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 100 miles?
About $23.80 per 100 miles for the SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $23.80 and $26.40 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD is rated 20 city and 28 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 8 MPG.
How does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class compare with other two-seater configurations?
The SL450 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD costs about $3,570 a year to fuel, $790 less than the class median of $4,360, and less than 7 of 10 two-seater configurations. The comparison covers all 83 rated two-seater configurations for MY2020, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class different from the 2019 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 23 to 22 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,530 to $3,570, $40 more. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2020 against 3 configurations for 2019. See the 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class for that year.