2018 head-to-head · Compact Car
2018 Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2018 Lexus IS is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,279 a year to fuel (26 MPG), versus $2,821 for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (21 MPG). That's roughly $543 a year, or about $2,713 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
- Lexus IS
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Side by side
| Lexus IS | Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,279 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,821 |
| 26 MPG | Combined efficiency | 21 MPG |
| 22 MPG | City | 18 MPG |
| 32 MPG | Highway | 26 MPG |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 92 cu ft |
| 11 cu ft | Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 345 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 425 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 4/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 4/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 9-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.
Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class across model years
- Lexus IS
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
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
Among 44 2018 compact cars, the Lexus IS ranks 38th and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 42nd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Lexus IS or the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the Lexus IS. The Lexus IS is rated 26 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 21 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Lexus IS vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,279 for the Lexus IS and $2,821 for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.
Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class in other years
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