2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model 3
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 2026 Tesla Model 3 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 $656 a year to fuel (139 MPGe), versus $1,793 for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid (60 MPGe + 24 MPG). That's roughly $1,137 a year, or about $5,686 over five years.
Your numbers
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Fuel cost over 10 years
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid
- Tesla Model 3
Side by side
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,793 | Your annual fuel cost | $656 |
| 60 MPGe + 24 MPG | Combined efficiency | 139 MPGe |
| 55 MPGe / 22 MPG | City | 147 MPGe |
| 68 MPGe / 27 MPG | Highway | 130 MPGe |
| 56 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 24.3 kWh |
| 420 mi | Driving range | 321 mi |
| 44 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 97 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 115 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 9/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 2.8 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 12.1 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Electricity |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | Electric motor (225 kW) |
| 9-speed automatic | Transmission | Single-speed |
| 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.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model 3 across model years
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid
- Tesla Model 3
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 E-Class Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 420 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 321 miles for the Tesla Model 3.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (100 vs. 97 cu ft); the Tesla Model 3 has more cargo space (15 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid ranks 18th and the Tesla Model 3 1st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Tesla Model 3 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 E-Class Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid or the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model 3. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid is rated 60 MPGe + 24 MPG combined and the Tesla Model 3 139 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Tesla Model 3 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,793 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid and $656 for the Tesla Model 3.
Which has more range?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Plug-in Hybrid: about 420 miles versus 321 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Tesla Model 3, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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