The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class does 28.2 mpg combined (24.3 city, 34.7 highway), which works out to about $1,362 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 30 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 27.8 — a difference of $101 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ranges from 30 down to 27.8 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $101 a year across 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 26 / 36 | 2024–2026 | $1,280 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 23.8 / 34.4 | 2014–2026 | $1,381 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class burns a gallon every 28.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 426 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.113 |
| Fuel per year | $1,362 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,810 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$132 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,750 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class gives up 10.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 34.7 out there against 24.3 in town, a 43% drop worth $473 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 | 24.3 mpg | $1,580 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 34.7 mpg | $1,107 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10.4 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the CLA-Class changed over the years
The CLA-Class peaked in 2016 at 30 mpg (26 city, 37 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 26.5 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $169 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 26.5. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 / 32 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2025 | 23 / 32 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2024 | 23 / 32 | 2 | $1,449 | |
| 2023 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2022 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2021 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2020 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2019 | 24 / 37 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2018 | 24 / 37 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2017 | 24 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2016 | 26 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2015 | 26 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2014 | 26 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 16 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class — 2 engines across 2014–2026. 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 $2,750. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class get?
28.2 mpg combined on average — 24.3 in the city and 34.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2014–2026.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,362 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,810 over five years, or 0.113 dollars a mile.
Which CLA-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 30 mpg, against 27.8 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $101 a year.
Is the CLA-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world CLA-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 CLA-Class is $2,750 against the $1,362 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 23 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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