FuelFacts

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 MPG & Specs — Real-World vs EPA, All Trims

Every gas trim of this model takes premium.

26
MPG combined (22–23 city / 32 hwy)
$2,700
est. fuel / year (today's prices, 15k mi)
Premium
gas type

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 good on gas?

At up to 26 MPG combined, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 is better than average for a Two Seaters — that class averages about 19.4 MPG across 2,500 EPA-tested versions, so it's a good pick on fuel for its size.

Real-world MPG vs the EPA number

The EPA figures above come from a standardized dynamometer test, not the open road — real-world MPG typically runs a bit lower depending on your driving, climate and terrain. That's true of every car on this site, old or new.

EPA updated its fuel-economy equations again for model year 2017 — mostly affecting hybrids and turbocharged engines — and recalculated 2011-2016 ratings to match, in some cases 1-2 MPG lower. The number above already reflects that update.

At today's AAA national average price — $4.68/gal for premium gas as of 2026-07-05 — the most efficient trim runs about $2,700/year (roughly $225/month, about $18.00 per 100 miles) at the EPA's assumed 15,000 miles/year, using an estimated 577 gallons a year. We don't estimate a cost-per-fill since exact tank size isn't in the public EPA dataset, but the per-100-mile figure scales to any tank. Current national average gas prices →

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 trims & fuel economy

Trim (engine / transmission)FuelMPGFuel/yr (today's price)
1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 7-spd, RWDPREMIUM26$2,700
1.8L 4-cyl, 6-spd manual, RWDPREMIUM26$2,700
Where the EPA lists premium, that’s the fuel the maker specified for the mileage test — many such engines run on regular with slightly less power/MPG. Whether premium is required or just recommended is an owner’s-manual detail the EPA dataset omits, so we don’t guess it.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK250 specs

What the EPA test-car listings record for this model year — every combination sold is a row in the trims table above.

Engine options1.8L 4-cyl turbo
TransmissionAutomatic 7-spd · 6-spd manual
Drive typeRWD
EPA body classTwo Seaters
FuelPremium

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz SLK250

2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK2502014 Mercedes-Benz SLK2502013 Mercedes-Benz SLK250

Similar cars (Two Seaters)

2012 Porsche Cayman R2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG2012 Ferrari California2012 Bentley Continental Supersports2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Coupe2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Spider

Cars that take premium · Cheapest cars to fuel · Where fuel grade depends on the trim · Fuel guides

2 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov data retrieved 2026-07-24 · fuel prices AAA national average as of 2026-07-05.