2017 head-to-head · Compact Car

2017 BMW 4 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-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
$2,194/ year to fuel
27 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,821/ year to fuel
21 MPG

The 2017 BMW 4 Series is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,194 a year to fuel (27 MPG), versus $2,821 for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (21 MPG). That's roughly $627 a year, or about $3,135 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

  • BMW 4 Series
  • Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Side by side

BMW 4 SeriesMercedes-Benz CLS-Class
$2,194 Your annual fuel cost $2,821
27 MPG Combined efficiency 21 MPG
23 MPG City 18 MPG
34 MPG Highway 26 MPG
90 cu ft Passenger volume 92 cu ft
9 cu ft Cargo volume 11 cu ft
324 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 425 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 4/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 4/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Premium gasoline Fuel Premium gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 4.7L 8-cyl turbo
8-speed automatic Transmission 9-speed automatic
RWD 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.

BMW 4 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class across model years

  • BMW 4 Series
  • Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 CLS-Class has more cargo space (11 vs. 9 cu ft).

Among 50 2017 compact cars, the BMW 4 Series ranks 37th and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 45th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 BMW 4 Series or the 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?

Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 4 Series. The BMW 4 Series is rated 27 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 21 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 BMW 4 Series vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,194 for the BMW 4 Series and $2,821 for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

Which has more cargo space?

The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, with 11 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

BMW 4 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class in other years

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