2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 BMW 3 Series 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 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid (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
- BMW 3 Series
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,975 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,279 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 26 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 23 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 30 MPG |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 298 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 347 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Premium gasoline | 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 vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid across model years
- BMW 3 Series
- 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 BMW 3 Series has more cargo space (13 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series ranks 20th and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid 28th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW 3 Series is a conventional gas model, while the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 BMW 3 Series or the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 3 Series. The BMW 3 Series is rated 30 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 vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,975 for the BMW 3 Series and $2,279 for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW 3 Series, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Hybrid in other years
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