The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class does 24.4 mpg combined (21.1 city, 29.8 highway), which works out to about $1,574 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 28.3 mpg while 4L 8-cyl does 20 — a difference of $563 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 | 24.3 / 35.3 | 2019–2022 | $1,357 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 20 / 27.5 | 2017–2018 | $1,670 | |
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 19.3 / 27 | 2023–2026 | $1,722 | |
| 4L 8-cyl | 18 / 24 | 2016–2016 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.131 |
| Fuel per year | $1,574 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,870 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$62 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,105 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 21.1 mpg | $1,820 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.8 mpg | $1,289 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (41%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the GLC-Class changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2025 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2024 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2023 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2022 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2021 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2019 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2016 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class get?
24.4 mpg combined on average — 21.1 in the city and 29.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2016–2026.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,574 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,870 over five years, or 0.131 dollars a mile.
Which GLC-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 28.3 mpg, against 20 for the 4L 8-cyl — a difference of about $563 a year.
Is the GLC-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.