2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2026 Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz E-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.
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 7-speed dual-clutch · 26 MPG
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $1,793 a year to fuel (60 MPGe + 24 MPG), versus $2,279 for the 2026 Audi A5 (26 MPG). That's roughly $486 a year, or about $2,428 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
- Audi A5
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Audi A5 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,279 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,793 |
| 26 MPG | Combined efficiency | 60 MPGe + 24 MPG |
| 22 MPG | City | 55 MPGe / 22 MPG |
| 32 MPG | Highway | 68 MPGe / 27 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 56 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 420 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 44 mi |
| 96 cu ft | Passenger volume | 100 cu ft |
| 23 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 345 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 115 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2.8 hrs |
| Gas | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo |
| 7-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| AWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ 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.
Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Audi A5
- Mercedes-Benz E-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
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (100 vs. 96 cu ft); the Audi A5 has more cargo space (23 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the Audi A5 ranks 24th and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid 18th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Audi A5 is a conventional gas model, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Audi A5 or the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid. The Audi A5 is rated 26 MPG combined and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid 60 MPGe + 24 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Audi A5 vs. the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $2,279 for the Audi A5 and $1,793 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Audi A5, with 23 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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