2024 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2024 BMW i4 vs Mercedes-Benz CLE-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.
The 2024 BMW i4 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 $756 a year to fuel (120 MPGe), versus $2,116 for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class (28 MPG). That's roughly $1,360 a year, or about $6,800 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 i4
- Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
Side by side
| BMW i4 | Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $756 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,116 |
| 120 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 28 MPG |
| 122 MPGe | City | 24 MPG |
| 119 MPGe | Highway | 34 MPG |
| 28 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 276 mi | Driving range | — |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 88 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 324 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| 7 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Electric | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| Electric motor (250 kW) | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| Single-speed | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| 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.
BMW i4 vs Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class across model years
- BMW i4
- Mercedes-Benz CLE-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 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class has more cargo space (11 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 33 2024 subcompact cars, the BMW i4 ranks 1st and the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class 15th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the BMW i4 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 CLE-Class; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2024 BMW i4 or the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i4. The BMW i4 is rated 120 MPGe combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class 28 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2024 BMW i4 vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $756 for the BMW i4 and $2,116 for the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, with 11 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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