The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class does 22.7 mpg combined (20.5 city, 26.6 highway), which works out to about $1,692 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 26.6 mpg while 4L 8-cyl does 17.8 — a difference of $713 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class ranges from 26.6 down to 17.8 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $713 a year across 4 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 | 24.3 / 30.1 | 2018–2026 | $1,444 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 21.8 / 27.8 | 2016–2023 | $1,607 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 24.3 | 2017–2023 | $1,882 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 15.8 / 22 | 2018–2021 | $2,157 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class burns a gallon every 22.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 529 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.141 |
| Fuel per year | $1,692 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,460 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$198 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,462 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class gives up 6.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.6 out there against 20.5 in town, a 30% drop worth $429 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 | 20.5 mpg | $1,873 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.6 mpg | $1,444 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.1 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the GLC-Class changed over the years
The GLC-Class peaked in 2024 at 29 mpg (26 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2021 at 20.7 — 8.3 mpg apart, or $531 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 27. 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 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2025 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2024 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2023 | 20.7 / 27.3 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2022 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2021 | 18.3 / 25 | 3 | $1,855 | |
| 2020 | 19.8 / 25.8 | 4 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 20.3 / 25.3 | 4 | $1,745 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 25.3 | 4 | $1,761 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2016 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 26 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class — 4 engines across 2016–2026. 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 $3,462. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class get?
22.7 mpg combined on average — 20.5 in the city and 26.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2016–2026.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,692 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,460 over five years, or 0.141 dollars a mile.
Which GLC-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 26.6 mpg, against 17.8 for the 4L 8-cyl — a difference of about $713 a year.
Is the GLC-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world GLC-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 GLC-Class is $3,462 against the $1,692 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 29 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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