2026 head-to-head · Compact Car
2026 Lexus IS 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,975 a year to fuel (30 MPG), versus $2,693 for the 2026 Lexus IS (22 MPG). That's roughly $718 a year, or about $3,591 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
- Lexus IS
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid
Side by side
| Lexus IS | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,693 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,975 |
| 22 MPG | Combined efficiency | 30 MPG |
| 19 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 27 MPG | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 89 cu ft |
| 11 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 403 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 298 g/mi |
| 4/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 4/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 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.
Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid across model years
- Lexus IS
- 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid has more cargo space (12 vs. 11 cu ft).
Among 21 2026 compact cars, the Lexus IS ranks 19th and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid 14th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Lexus IS is a conventional gas model, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Lexus IS or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid. The Lexus IS is rated 22 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 Lexus IS vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,693 for the Lexus IS and $1,975 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 11 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid in other years
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