2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 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.
The 2021 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid 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 $1,666 a year to fuel (75 MPGe + 28 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid (26 MPG). That's roughly $613 a year, or about $3,067 over five years.
Your numbers
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Fuel cost over 10 years
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid | Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,666 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,279 |
| 75 MPGe + 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 26 MPG |
| 72 MPGe / 25 MPG | City | 23 MPG |
| 80 MPGe / 33 MPG | Highway | 30 MPG |
| 45 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 320 mi | Driving range | — |
| 23 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| 9 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 160 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 347 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| 3 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.0L 6-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 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid across model years
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 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 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid has more cargo space (12 vs. 9 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid ranks 18th and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid 28th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid. The BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is rated 75 MPGe + 28 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,666 for the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid and $2,279 for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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