2023 head-to-head · Compact Car
2023 BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-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.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, the most efficient 2023 BMW 3 Series (29 MPG) costs about $2,043 a year to fuel and the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (29 MPG) about $2,043.
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 CLA-Class
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,043 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,043 |
| 29 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 25 MPG | City | 25 MPG |
| 34 MPG | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 89 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 308 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 309 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| RWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ 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 CLA-Class across model years
- BMW 3 Series
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-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 BMW 3 Series has more passenger space (94 vs. 89 cu ft); the BMW 3 Series has more cargo space (13 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 31 2023 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series ranks 16th and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 18th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fuel the 2023 BMW 3 Series vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,043 for the BMW 3 Series and $2,043 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
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 CLA-Class in other years
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