2017 head-to-head · Compact Car
2017 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
RWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 71 MPGe + 30 MPG
RWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 7-speed automatic · 51 MPGe + 30 MPG
The 2017 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,722 a year to fuel (71 MPGe + 30 MPG), versus $1,837 for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid (51 MPGe + 30 MPG). That's roughly $115 a year, or about $575 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,722 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,837 |
| 71 MPGe + 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 51 MPGe + 30 MPG |
| 66 MPGe / 28 MPG | City | 45 MPGe / 28 MPG |
| 78 MPGe / 34 MPG | Highway | 61 MPGe / 32 MPG |
| 47 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 56 kWh |
| 350 mi | Driving range | 410 mi |
| 14 mi | All-electric range | 9 mi |
| 96 cu ft | Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| 9 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 189 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 215 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| 2 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 1.5 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| RWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 410 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 350 miles for the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (96 vs. 91 cu ft); the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (10 vs. 9 cu ft).
Among 50 2017 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid ranks 27th and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid 29th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid or the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid. The BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is rated 71 MPGe + 30 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid 51 MPGe + 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,722 for the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid and $1,837 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid: about 410 miles versus 350 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid, with 10 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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