2016 head-to-head · Compact Car

2016 Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,279/ year to fuel
26 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,975/ year to fuel
30 MPG

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,975 a year to fuel (30 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2016 Lexus IS (26 MPG). That's roughly $304 a year, or about $1,519 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Lexus IS
  • Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Side by side

Lexus ISMercedes-Benz CLA-Class
$2,279 Your annual fuel cost $1,975
26 MPG Combined efficiency 30 MPG
22 MPG City 26 MPG
32 MPG Highway 37 MPG
90 cu ft Passenger volume 88 cu ft
11 cu ft Cargo volume 13 cu ft
345 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 299 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 7/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Premium gasoline Fuel Premium gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
8-speed automatic Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch
RWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class across model years

  • Lexus IS
  • Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has more cargo space (13 vs. 11 cu ft).

Among 51 2016 compact cars, the Lexus IS ranks 42nd and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 33rd for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Lexus IS or the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?

Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The Lexus IS is rated 26 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Lexus IS vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,279 for the Lexus IS and $1,975 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

Which has more cargo space?

The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 11 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class in other years

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