2025 head-to-head · Compact Car
2025 BMW i4 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 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.
The 2025 BMW i4 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 $788 a year to fuel (116 MPGe), versus $1,975 for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid (30 MPG). That's roughly $1,187 a year, or about $5,933 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 i4
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid
Side by side
| BMW i4 | Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $788 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,975 |
| 116 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 30 MPG |
| 117 MPGe | City | 26 MPG |
| 114 MPGe | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 29.2 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 266 mi | Driving range | — |
| 90 cu ft | Passenger volume | 89 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 298 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| 8 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Electric | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| Electric motor (250 kW) | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| Single-speed | Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch |
| RWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ 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 i4 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid across model years
- BMW i4
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 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
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid has more cargo space (12 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 26 2025 compact cars, the BMW i4 ranks 1st and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid 15th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the BMW i4 is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2025 BMW i4 or the 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i4. The BMW i4 is rated 116 MPGe combined and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2025 BMW i4 vs. the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $788 for the BMW i4 and $1,975 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Hybrid, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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