2023 head-to-head · Large Car

2023 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
$1,714/ year to fuel
49 MPGe + 23 MPG

AWD · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 9-speed automatic · 49 MPGe + 23 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$761/ year to fuel
120 MPGe

AWD · Electric motors (494 kW) · Single-speed · 120 MPGe · 405 mi

The 2023 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 $761 a year to fuel (120 MPGe), versus $1,714 for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid (49 MPGe + 23 MPG). That's roughly $953 a year, or about $4,763 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
$1,714 Your annual fuel cost $761
49 MPGe + 23 MPG Combined efficiency 120 MPGe
60 MPGe / 20 MPG City 124 MPGe
35 MPGe / 29 MPG Highway 115 MPGe
51 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 28.2 kWh
470 mi Driving range 405 mi
56 mi All-electric range —
112 cu ft Passenger volume 94 cu ft
8 cu ft Cargo volume 26 cu ft
379 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 0 g/mi
8/10 EPA fuel economy score 10/10
10/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 10/10
2.5 hrs Charge time at 240V 15 hrs
Plug-in hybrid Powertrain Electric
Premium gas + electricity Fuel Electricity
3.0L 6-cyl turbo Engine / motor Electric motors (494 kW)
9-speed automatic Transmission Single-speed
AWD 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 470 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 405 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. 8 cu ft).

Among 29 2023 large cars, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid ranks 12th and the Tesla Model S 2nd 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 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid or the 2023 Tesla Model S?

Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model S. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid is rated 49 MPGe + 23 MPG combined and the Tesla Model S 120 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2023 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 $1,714 for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid and $761 for the Tesla Model S.

Which has more range?

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-in Hybrid: about 470 miles versus 405 miles.

Which has more cargo space?

The Tesla Model S, with 26 cu ft of luggage volume versus 8 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

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

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