The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class does 27.9 mpg combined (24.7 city, 33.8 highway), which works out to about $1,376 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 28.7 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 27.7 — a difference of $48 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class ranges from 28.7 down to 27.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $48 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 | 25.7 / 34 | 2024–2026 | $1,338 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 24.3 / 33.7 | 2015–2023 | $1,386 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class burns a gallon every 27.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 430 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.115 |
| Fuel per year | $1,376 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,880 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$118 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,758 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class gives up 9.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.8 out there against 24.7 in town, a 37% drop worth $419 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 | 24.7 mpg | $1,555 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.8 mpg | $1,136 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.1 mpg (37%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the GLA-Class changed over the years
The GLA-Class peaked in 2026 at 29 mpg (26 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2019 at 27 — 2 mpg apart, or $98 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 29. 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 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2024 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2022 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2021 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2019 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2018 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2017 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2016 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2015 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class — 2 engines across 2015–2026. 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 $2,758. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class get?
27.9 mpg combined on average — 24.7 in the city and 33.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2015–2026.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,376 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,880 over five years, or 0.115 dollars a mile.
Which GLA-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 28.7 mpg, against 27.7 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $48 a year.
Is the GLA-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 GLA-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 GLA-Class is $2,758 against the $1,376 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 29 and 27 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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