2026 head-to-head · Compact Car
2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-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 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,911 a year to fuel (31 MPG), versus $1,975 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid (30 MPG). That's roughly $64 a year, or about $319 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 Hybrid
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series Hybrid | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,911 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,975 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 30 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 89 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 286 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 298 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-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 Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid across model years
- BMW 3 Series Hybrid
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-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 Hybrid has more passenger space (94 vs. 89 cu ft); the BMW 3 Series Hybrid has more cargo space (13 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 21 2026 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series Hybrid ranks 13th and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid 14th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 3 Series Hybrid. The BMW 3 Series Hybrid is rated 31 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,911 for the BMW 3 Series Hybrid and $1,975 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW 3 Series Hybrid, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid in other years
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