2017 head-to-head · Compact Car
2017 Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
RWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 7-speed automatic · 51 MPGe + 30 MPG
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $1,837 a year to fuel (51 MPGe + 30 MPG), versus $1,911 for the 2017 Audi A4 (31 MPG). That's roughly $75 a year, or about $374 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
- Audi A4
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Audi A4 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,911 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,837 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 51 MPGe + 30 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 45 MPGe / 28 MPG |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 61 MPGe / 32 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 56 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 410 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 9 mi |
| 92 cu ft | Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 284 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 215 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 1.5 hrs |
| Gas | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| FWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ 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.
Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Audi A4
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid
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 Audi A4 has more cargo space (13 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 50 2017 compact cars, the Audi A4 ranks 30th and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid 29th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Audi A4 is a conventional gas model, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Audi A4 or the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid. The Audi A4 is rated 31 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid 51 MPGe + 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Audi A4 vs. the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,911 for the Audi A4 and $1,837 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Audi A4, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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