2026 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2026 Audi S3 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.
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 7-speed dual-clutch · 26 MPG
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,194 a year to fuel (27 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2026 Audi S3 (26 MPG). That's roughly $84 a year, or about $422 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
- Audi S3
- Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class
Side by side
| Audi S3 | Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,279 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,194 |
| 26 MPG | Combined efficiency | 27 MPG |
| 23 MPG | City | 24 MPG |
| 31 MPG | Highway | 33 MPG |
| 87 cu ft | Passenger volume | 88 cu ft |
| 8 cu ft | Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 346 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 323 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| 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.
Audi S3 vs Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class across model years
- Audi S3
- 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. 8 cu ft).
Among 26 2026 subcompact cars, the Audi S3 ranks 12th and the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class 11th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Audi S3 is a conventional gas model, while the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Audi S3 or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class. The Audi S3 is rated 26 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class 27 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Audi S3 vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,279 for the Audi S3 and $2,194 for the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class, with 11 cu ft of luggage volume versus 8 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Audi S3 vs Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class in other years
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