2020 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2020 BMW i8 vs Mercedes-Benz C-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.
AWD · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 6-speed automatic · 69 MPGe + 27 MPG
The 2020 BMW i8 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 $1,828 a year to fuel (69 MPGe + 27 MPG), versus $2,116 for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (28 MPG). That's roughly $288 a year, or about $1,438 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 i8
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Side by side
| BMW i8 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,828 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,116 |
| 69 MPGe + 27 MPG | Combined efficiency | 28 MPG |
| 68 MPGe / 26 MPG | City | 24 MPG |
| 70 MPGe / 29 MPG | Highway | 35 MPG |
| 49 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 320 mi | Driving range | — |
| 18 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 81 cu ft | Passenger volume | 90 cu ft |
| 5 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 191 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 315 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| 3 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| AWD | 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 i8 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class across model years
- BMW i8
- Mercedes-Benz C-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
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has more passenger space (90 vs. 81 cu ft); the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has more cargo space (13 vs. 5 cu ft).
Among 39 2020 subcompact cars, the BMW i8 ranks 8th and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 13th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2020 BMW i8 or the 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i8. The BMW i8 is rated 69 MPGe + 27 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 28 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 BMW i8 vs. the Mercedes-Benz C-Class per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,828 for the BMW i8 and $2,116 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 5 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW i8 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class in other years
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