The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class does 19.3 mpg combined (16.6 city, 24 highway), which works out to about $1,990 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.2L 6-cyl does 20.8 mpg while 5.5L 8-cyl does 17 — a difference of $413 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class ranges from 20.8 down to 17 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $413 a year across 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 / 25.5 | 1998–2005 | $1,846 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 17 / 25.3 | 2006–2009 | $1,920 | |
| 4.3L 8-cyl | 16 / 22.6 | 1999–2003 | $2,065 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 15 / 22.3 | 2004–2006 | $2,169 | |
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 15 / 22 | 2007–2009 | $2,259 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class burns a gallon every 19.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 622 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.166 |
| Fuel per year | $1,990 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,950 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$60 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,026 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24 out there against 16.6 in town, a 45% drop worth $713 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 | 16.6 mpg | $2,313 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24 mpg | $1,600 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (45%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the CLK-Class changed over the years
The CLK-Class peaked in 1998 at 22 mpg (19 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2009 at 18.5 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $331 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2009 car does 18.5. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 16 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2008 | 16 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2007 | 16 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2006 | 16 / 24.5 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2005 | 16.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2004 | 16.5 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2003 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2002 | 17 / 23.5 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2001 | 17 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2000 | 17 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1998 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 23 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class — 5 engines across 1998–2009. 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 $4,026. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class get?
19.3 mpg combined on average — 16.6 in the city and 24 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1998–2009.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,990 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,950 over five years, or 0.166 dollars a mile.
Which CLK-Class engine is the most economical?
The 3.2L 6-cyl at 20.8 mpg, against 17 for the 5.5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $413 a year.
Is the CLK-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world CLK-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 CLK-Class is $4,026 against the $1,990 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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