Which Mercedes Benz Has The Best Fuel Economy?

If you’re looking for a Mercedes Benz, chances are your focus is luxury features and plenty of tech. They are cornerstones of a great luxury car, but what about living with a Mercedes Benz? For most owners, the highest cost of owning a car is the fuel, and it’s vital to know how often you’ll need to stop at the gas station.

With a wide range of models and engines, the Mercedes vehicle lineup covers everything from efficient sedans to huge V8 SUVs. To help you find a Mercedes that will get you the best gas mileage, we’ve put together a list of the best fuel economy figures in their current model range.

In the sections below, you’ll find info on mpg stats, fuel tank sizes, and the different trim levels available on each Mercedes model. We’ve also included a few vehicles with the worst mpg numbers too, in case you just want a powerful V8!

Let’s get started…


Mercedes Models With The Best Gas Mileage

5. GLA: 20-24 (Urban) / 25-34 (Highway)

The first car on our list is the GLA crossover. With four trim levels, the smallest Mercedes SUV comes with a range of engine and power options and a wide range of gas mileage figures. Due to its smaller size, in comparison to most Mercedes Benz SUVs, the GLA offers impressive fuel economy.

Mercedes GLA
The GLA comes with 4 trim levels

On the 250 trim levels, the GLA comes with a 2.0L turbocharged engine. This produces 221 bhp, and although the all-wheel drive 4MATIC reduces gas mileage slightly, you’ll still get 23 mpg in the city. The AMG trim levels (35 and 45 specs) also come with a 2.0 Liter engine, although these are significantly tuned. With just over 300 bhp in the AMG 35 and 382 bhp on the AMG 45, mpg figures take a hit here.

Mercedes GLA MPG Figures:

  • 250: 24 / 34
  • 250 4MATIC: 23 / 32
  • AMG 35: 22 / 29
  • AMG 45: 20 / 25

As this is a crossover model, the GLA only comes with a 13.5-gallon fuel tank. Compared to small SUVs from other manufacturers, this isn’t a low number, but it will affect longer journeys. The GLA has been designed for city use though, so if you’re using this for urban commuting, the 300-mile average should be plenty.

With a fuel capacity of 13.5 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 270 – 324 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 338 – 459 miles

4. GLB: 21-24 (Urban) / 27-32 (Highway)

Next, we have another SUV model, the GLB. This is a larger model than the GLA, but the average gas mileage is helped with only one AMG model, pushing the stats up. The smaller model range, combined with the larger fuel tank, makes the GLB a better option for gas mileage.

Mercedes GLB
The GLB only features one AMG trim level, the 35

Engine selection in the GLB is almost identical to the GLA. The 250 trims come with a standard 2.0L turbocharged engine with the same 221 bhp. MPG figures are slightly lower in the GLB, though, due to the increased vehicle weight. The sole AMG model, the 35, comes with 302 bhp from a highly tuned 2.0L engine.

Mercedes GLB MPG Figures:

  • 250: 24 / 32
  • 250 4MATIC: 22 / 30
  • AMG 35: 21 / 27

Mercedes has fitted the current GLB with an impressive fuel tank of almost 16 gallons. This makes the GLB far more capable for longer journeys, although it’s still a capable SUV for use in the city. 

With a fuel capacity of 15.9 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 334 – 382 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 429 – 509 miles

3. C-Class Sedan: 20-25 (Urban) / 27-36 (Highway)

Moving away from SUV models, our next car is the C-Class sedan. This is one of Mercedes’ most popular models and comes in sedan, coupe, and convertible options. The sedan is comfortably the most economical and puts the C-Class in third place.

Mercedes C Class
The C-Class is one of the most popular Mercedes models

With two standard trims and one AMG model, engine selection is limited here. The 300 trims come with a turbocharged 2.0L engine connected to a mild hybrid system with 255 horsepower. The AMG 43 comes with the same engine/hybrid setup, just tuned up to 402 bhp

Mercedes C-Class MPG Figures:

  • 300: 25 / 36
  • 300 4MATIC: 24 / 33
  • AMG 43: 20 / 27

Another impressive feature of the C-Class is the fuel tank. At over 17 gallons, this is right at home on longer journeys, and driven well on the highway, you should get up to 600 miles from a tank.

With a fuel capacity of 17.4 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 348 – 435 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 470 – 626 miles

2. CLA: 20-25 (Urban) / 28-36 (Highway)

In second place on our list is the CLA Coupe. This 4-door coupe-style car is sold in four trims, two standards, and two AMG. Overall figures are incredibly close to the C-Class sedan, but the CLA is slightly better when it comes to gas mileage.

Mercedes CLA
The CLA model is a 4-Door Coupe design

The 2.0L turbocharged engine we’ve seen already is here in the 250 trims, with the same 221 bhp. The AMG versions of the CLA also share their engines with the GLA, coming with 302 and 382 bhp on the AMG 35 and 45, respectively.

Mercedes CLA MPG Figures:

  • 250: 25 / 36
  • 250 4MATIC: 24 / 33
  • AMG 35: 21 / 29
  • AMG 45: 20 / 28

The CLA models also share their fuel tanks with the GLA. At 13.5 gallons, anyone looking for an economical sedan from Mercedes for longer journeys would be better with a C-Class, but the CLA will be enough for most commutes and journeys.

With a fuel capacity of 13.5 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 270 – 338 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 378 – 486 miles

1. A-Class: 24 (Urban)  / 35 (Highway)

We’ve seen a few SUVs and cars on this list already, but the top spot goes to the Mercedes A-Class sedan. This is Mercedes’ least expensive car, along with the title of best fuel economy. With only two trim levels and no AMG models, the A-Class range is comfortably the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered Mercedes Benz.

Mercedes A-Class
The A-Class is Mercedes’ smallest sedan and least expensive model

With a single engine choice, the A-Class 220 models come with a turbocharged 2.0L engine tuned to 188 bhp. This ‘lack’ of power compared to the other models on this list, combined with the lower weight, gets you a combined 30 mpg.

Mercedes CLA MPG Figures:

  • 220: 24 / 35
  • 220 4MATIC: 24 / 35

Even though this is the smallest Mercedes, you still get a 13.5-gallon tank. Like the GLA and CLA, which share this car’s base platform, the A-Class isn’t designed for cross-country trips, but it’s a perfect sedan for city driving, and in that aspect, the fuel tank is generous enough.

With a fuel capacity of 13.5 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 338 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 473 miles

Mercedes Models With The Worst Gas Mileage

We’ve looked at the most fuel-efficient Mercedes vehicles, but what about the other end of the list? The below models currently have the worst fuel economy in the Mercedes range.


3. GLS: 14-18 (Urban) / 19-23 (Highway)

First on our list is Mercedes’ largest SUV, the GLS. This seven-seater comes in three trim levels; two standard and one AMG. As you’ll see, even the standard models are thirsty, but the AMG 63 S trim pushes things to a new level.

Mercedes GLS
The GLS is the largest Mercedes SUV model

The entry-level 450 model starts out with a 3.0L, six-cylinder engine with hybrid assistance and 362 bhp. Step up to the 580 specs, and you get a 4.0L V8, again with hybrid, and 483 bhp. If that’s not enough, the AMG 63 S model includes a handcrafted V8 engine with 603 bhp (and a starting price of $140,000)

Mercedes GLS MPG Figures:

  • 450: 18 / 23
  • 580: 16 / 21
  • AMG 63 S: 14 / 19

One positive for the GLS is the fuel tank. You might be staring at sub-20 figures for your fuel economy, but you can get almost 24 gallons in your GLS, so even longer trips are achievable here.

With a fuel capacity of 23.8 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 333 – 428 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 452 – 547 miles

2. SL Roadster: 14 (Urban) / 21 (Highway)

Next up is a completely different Mercedes from the GLS – the SL Roadster. Another one of Mercedes’ most expensive vehicles, the SL Roadster comes in two specs, both AMG models. 

Both trim levels come with a handcrafted V8 engine, with two tuning levels. The AMG 55 trim generates 469 bhp, and the higher spec AMG 63 S pushes this up to 577 bhp. Both models feature a mild hybrid system designed to help boost the performance of the SL.

Mercedes SL Roadster MPG Figures:

  • AMG 55: 14 / 21
  • AMG 63 S: 14 / 21

The SL fuel tank is an impressive 18.5 gallons, which helps cement this as an excellent ‘grand tourer.’ Even with thirsty V8 engines, you should still be able to live with the SL Roadster.

With a fuel capacity of 18.5 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 259 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 389 miles

1. G-Class: 13 – 14 (Urban) / 16 – 17 (Highway)

It’s probably no surprise if you know your Mercedes model, but the G-Class takes the top spot here. This luxury SUV, with an unmistakable design, features two trim levels, one standard, and one AMG.

Mercedes G-Class
The Mercedes G Wagen is one of their most iconic vehicles

The standard 550 G-Class comes with a 4.0 V8 engine, producing 416 bhp. In case that isn’t enough power, the AMG 63 S model gets you 577 bhp, the same as we saw in the top-spec SL Roadster. These fuel economy figures, combined with the boxy design of the G Class, generate some low mpg numbers.

Mercedes G-Class MPG Figures:

  • 550: 14 / 17
  • AMG 63 S: 13 / 16

With such an imposing car, the G-Class comes with a fuel tank to match. At 26.4 gallons, this is the largest fuel tank on a current Mercedes passenger model, and even with some awful mpg figures, you should be able to get close to 400 miles on a tank.

With a fuel capacity of 26.4 gallons, you should achieve a journey of:

  • Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 343 – 370 miles
  • Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 422 – 449 miles

FAQs

Which Mercedes has the best fuel economy?

The current A-Class sedan has the best fuel economy of any gasoline-powered Mercedes. The most efficient A-Class is the 220, with rear-wheel drive.

Which Mercedes has the worst fuel economy?

The current G-Class SUV has the worst fuel economy of any Mercedes Benz. With an average mpg of 14, the AMG 63 S version has the lowest gas mileage of any Mercedes.

Which Mercedes has the largest fuel tank?

With 26.4 gallons, the G-Class SUV has the largest fuel tank in the Mercedes-Benz range.


Summary

There’s a wide range of Mercedes Benz models available and a vehicle for everyone. Plenty of MB vehicles focus on power & performance over fuel economy, but if you want a Mercedes to get you high gas mileage, there are still some great options available:

  • GLA: 20-24 (Urban) / 25-34 (Highway)
  • GLB: 21-24 (Urban) / 27-32 (Highway)
  • C-Class Sedan: 20-25 (Urban) / 27-36 (Highway)
  • CLA: 20-25 (Urban) / 28-36 (Highway)
  • A-Class: 24 (Urban)  / 35 (Highway)

If you liked this article and want to see more gas mileage figures or find out more about Mercedes Benz models, check out the links below:

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