The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class does 17 mpg combined (14.3 city, 21.6 highway), which works out to about $2,259 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4.7L 8-cyl does 18 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 16.7 — a difference of $166 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class ranges from 18 down to 16.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $166 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 15 / 23.8 | 2011–2014 | $2,133 | |
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 14 / 21 | 2007–2010 | $2,286 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 14.1 / 21 | 1998–2006 | $2,299 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class burns a gallon every 17 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 706 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.188 |
| Fuel per year | $2,259 |
| Fuel over five years | $11,295 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$126 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,550 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class gives up 7.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 21.6 out there against 14.3 in town, a 51% drop worth $907 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 14.3 mpg | $2,685 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 21.6 mpg | $1,778 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.3 mpg (51%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the CL-Class changed over the years
The CL-Class peaked in 2014 at 18 mpg (15 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 16 — 2 mpg apart, or $267 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2014 car does 18. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2013 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2012 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2011 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2010 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2009 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2008 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2007 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2006 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2005 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2004 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2003 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2002 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2001 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2000 | 15 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 1999 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 1998 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 17 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — 3 engines across 1998–2014. 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 $4,550. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class get?
17 mpg combined on average — 14.3 in the city and 21.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1998–2014.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $2,259 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $11,295 over five years, or 0.188 dollars a mile.
Which CL-Class engine is the most economical?
The 4.7L 8-cyl at 18 mpg, against 16.7 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $166 a year.
Is the CL-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world CL-Class figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is $4,550 against the $2,259 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 18 and 16 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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