2020 head-to-head · Large Car

2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model S

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
2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybrid
$2,017/ year to fuel
64 MPGe + 23 MPG

RWD · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 9-speed automatic · 64 MPGe + 23 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
2020 Tesla Model SElectric
$780/ year to fuel
117 MPGe

The 2020 Tesla Model S is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $780 a year to fuel (117 MPGe), versus $2,017 for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid (64 MPGe + 23 MPG). That's roughly $1,237 a year, or about $6,185 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

  • Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid
  • Tesla Model S

Side by side

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in HybridTesla Model S
$2,017 Your annual fuel cost $780
64 MPGe + 23 MPG Combined efficiency 117 MPGe
58 MPGe / 21 MPG City 121 MPGe
73 MPGe / 26 MPG Highway 112 MPGe
53 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 28.9 kWh
510 mi Driving range 402 mi
19 mi All-electric range —
112 cu ft Passenger volume 94 cu ft
9 cu ft Cargo volume 26 cu ft
205 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 0 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 10/10
9/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 10/10
1.3 hrs Charge time at 240V 15.3 hrs
Plug-in hybrid Powertrain Electric
Premium gas + electricity Fuel Electricity
3.0L 6-cyl turbo Engine / motor Electric motors (568 kW)
9-speed automatic Transmission Single-speed
RWD Drivetrain AWD

✓ 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.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model S across model years

  • Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid
  • Tesla Model S

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

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 510 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 402 miles for the Tesla Model S.

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (112 vs. 94 cu ft); the Tesla Model S has more cargo space (26 vs. 9 cu ft).

Among 32 2020 large cars, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid ranks 10th and the Tesla Model S 1st for lowest fuel cost.

Because the Tesla Model S is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid or the 2020 Tesla Model S?

Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model S. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid is rated 64 MPGe + 23 MPG combined and the Tesla Model S 117 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Tesla Model S per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,017 for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid and $780 for the Tesla Model S.

Which has more range?

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid: about 510 miles versus 402 miles.

Which has more cargo space?

The Tesla Model S, with 26 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model S in other years

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