The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class does 22.2 mpg combined (19.7 city, 26.6 highway), which works out to about $1,730 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.1L 4-cyl does 27 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 19.8 — a difference of $517 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class ranges from 27 down to 19.8 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $517 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1L 4-cyl | 24 / 32 | 2013–2015 | $1,422 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 17.5 / 23.8 | 2010–2015 | $1,939 |
What that actually costs
The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class burns a gallon every 22.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 541 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.144 |
| Fuel per year | $1,730 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,650 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$200 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,583 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class gives up 6.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.6 out there against 19.7 in town, a 35% drop worth $505 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 | 19.7 mpg | $1,949 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.6 mpg | $1,444 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.9 mpg (35%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the GLK-Class changed over the years
The GLK-Class peaked in 2015 at 24.5 mpg (21.5 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2012 at 18 — 6.5 mpg apart, or $566 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2015 car does 24.5. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 21.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2014 | 21.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2013 | 21.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2012 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2011 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2010 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class — 2 engines across 2010–2015. 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 $3,583. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class get?
22.2 mpg combined on average — 19.7 in the city and 26.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2010–2015.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,730 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,650 over five years, or 0.144 dollars a mile.
Which GLK-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2.1L 4-cyl at 27 mpg, against 19.8 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $517 a year.
Is the GLK-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world GLK-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 GLK-Class is $3,583 against the $1,730 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 27 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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