1st Place: 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI
Combined EPA Fuel Economy: 30
Powertrain: 3.2 liter, 6 cyl., 5-AT
Wealthy people don’t get rich by spending foolishly, and diesel-powered Mercedes models have long been favored by upper-crust Americans who have money and want to keep it that way. Historically, the trade-off for better fuel economy was plenty of clatter and smoke. Today, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI is quieter, cleaner, and more efficient than ever, able to travel five more miles per gallon of fuel than the next-best competitor. But to take advantage of this opulent sedan’s greater highway range you’ve gotta live somewhere other than California and New England, where strict emissions regulations keep the E320 CDI off the roads.
| Runners-Up |
Make and Model |
Combined MPG |
Powertrain |
| 2nd Place |
Lexus GS 300 |
25 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| 3rd Place |
Audi A6 3.2 |
24 |
3.1 liter, 6 cyl., CVT |
| |
BMW 525i |
24 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| |
BMW 530i |
24 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| |
Lexus ES 330 |
24 |
3.3 liter, 6 cyl., 5-AT |
| |
Volvo S80 |
24 |
2.5 liter, 5 cyl., 5-AT |
| 4th Place |
Acura TL |
23 |
3.2 liter, 6 cyl., 5-AT |
| |
BMW 525xi |
23 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| |
BMW 530xi |
23 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| |
Lexus GS 300 AWD |
23 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| 5th Place |
Audi A6 3.2 Quattro |
22 |
3.1 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| |
Jaguar S-Type 3.0 |
22 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 6-AT |
| |
Mercedes E350 |
22 |
3.5 liter, 6 cyl., 7-AT |
| |
Volvo S80 AWD |
22 |
2.5 liter, 5 cyl., 5-AT |
|
