2026 head-to-head · Compact Car
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid vs Volkswagen GLI
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 Volkswagen GLI is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,603 a year to fuel (29 MPG), versus $1,975 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid (30 MPG). That's roughly $372 a year, or about $1,858 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
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid
- Volkswagen GLI
Side by side
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid | Volkswagen GLI | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,975 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 35 MPG |
| 89 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 298 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 307 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | 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.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid vs Volkswagen GLI across model years
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid
- Volkswagen GLI
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 Volkswagen GLI has more passenger space (94 vs. 89 cu ft); the Volkswagen GLI has more cargo space (16 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 21 2026 compact cars, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid ranks 14th and the Volkswagen GLI 12th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Volkswagen GLI is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid or the 2026 Volkswagen GLI?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen GLI. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid is rated 30 MPG combined and the Volkswagen GLI 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid vs. the Volkswagen GLI per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,975 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid and $1,603 for the Volkswagen GLI.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen GLI, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid vs Volkswagen GLI in other years
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