2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in 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.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,714/ year to fuel
68 MPGe + 25 MPG

AWD · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 68 MPGe + 25 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$1,793/ year to fuel
60 MPGe + 24 MPG

The 2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid 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 $1,714 a year to fuel (68 MPGe + 25 MPG), versus $1,793 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid (60 MPGe + 24 MPG). That's roughly $80 a year, or about $399 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 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid

Side by side

BMW 5 Series Plug-in HybridMercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid
$1,714 Your annual fuel cost $1,793
68 MPGe + 25 MPG Combined efficiency 60 MPGe + 24 MPG
65 MPGe / 22 MPG City 55 MPGe / 22 MPG
73 MPGe / 28 MPG Highway 68 MPGe / 27 MPG
49 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 56 kWh
430 mi Driving range 420 mi
34 mi All-electric range 44 mi
98 cu ft Passenger volume 100 cu ft
14 cu ft Cargo volume 13 cu ft
133 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 115 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
9/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 9/10
2 hrs Charge time at 240V 2.8 hrs
Plug-in hybrid Powertrain Plug-in hybrid
Premium gas + electricity Fuel Premium gas + electricity
3.0L 6-cyl turbo Engine / motor 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
8-speed automatic 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.

BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid across model years

  • BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in 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

The BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 430 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 420 miles for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid.

Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (14 vs. 13 cu ft).

Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid ranks 16th and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid 18th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid?

Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid. The BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid is rated 68 MPGe + 25 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid 60 MPGe + 24 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,714 for the BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid and $1,793 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid.

Which has more range?

The BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid: about 430 miles versus 420 miles.

Which has more cargo space?

The BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid in other years

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