Against 344 other Hybrid cars rated 2024–2026, the C-Class beats their 28 mpg average by 1 mpg, about $47 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1994, the 2L 4-cyl Hybrid (2016–2026), does 29.5 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3.2L 6-cyl (2003), 20: $618 a year apart.
Every Mercedes-Benz C-Class engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 26.3 / 34.1 | 2016–2026 | $1,302 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 23.4 / 33.1 | 2015–2023 | $1,422 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21.2 / 29.8 | 2003–2014 | $1,580 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 / 28.7 | 2012–2014 | $1,670 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20 / 26.3 | 1994–1996 | $1,722 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 19.4 / 26.8 | 1997–2002 | $1,730 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 19.1 / 26.8 | 2007–2023 | $1,738 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 19 / 27 | 2006–2006 | $1,745 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 17.6 / 25.1 | 2015–2023 | $1,882 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 18.1 / 24.4 | 1994–2000 | $1,892 | |
| 2.6L 6-cyl | 17.3 / 23.5 | 2001–2005 | $1,920 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 / 24 | 2003–2003 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.110 |
| Fuel per year | $1,324 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,620 |
| Against other Hybrid cars, 2024–2026 | −$47 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,573 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class gives up 10 mpg in town: 35 on the highway against 25 in the city, $439 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 25 mpg | $1,536 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35 mpg | $1,097 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the C-Class changed over the years
The C-Class peaked in 2024 at 30 mpg (26 city, 36 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2011 at 18 — 12 mpg apart, or $853 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 29. The biggest single-year change came in 2024: 23.8 to 30 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2025 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2024 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2023 | 20 / 29.5 | 4 | $1,613 | |
| 2022 | 22 / 31.3 | 3 | $1,518 | |
| 2021 | 19.7 / 29.3 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2020 | 20.3 / 29.7 | 3 | $1,620 | |
| 2019 | 20 / 29.3 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2018 | 22.5 / 29 | 4 | $1,536 | |
| 2017 | 22.5 / 29.8 | 4 | $1,506 | |
| 2016 | 23 / 29.3 | 4 | $1,506 | |
| 2015 | 21.3 / 28.3 | 3 | $1,600 | |
| 2014 | 18.3 / 26.3 | 3 | $1,829 | |
| 2013 | 18.3 / 26 | 3 | $1,803 | |
| 2012 | 18 / 26.3 | 3 | $1,803 | |
| 2011 | 15.5 / 22 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2010 | 15 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2009 | 15 / 22 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 22 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2005 | 17.3 / 24 | 3 | $1,920 | |
| 2004 | 18.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2003 | 19.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 25 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2000 | 18 / 24 | 3 | $1,892 | |
| 1999 | 18 / 24 | 3 | $1,892 | |
| 1998 | 18 / 24.7 | 3 | $1,892 | |
| 1997 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 81 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class — 16 engines across 1994–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,573. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?
29 mpg combined, 25 city and 35 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1994 the C-Class has averaged 22.2 mpg.
Is the 2026 C-Class more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 29 against 29 mpg combined.
Which C-Class year has the best gas mileage?
The 2024, at 30 mpg combined (26 city, 36 highway).
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