- Newest year: 2003
- Gas
- Small cars
2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class MPG & Fuel Cost
5 configurations · 16–20 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 3 of 10 small car configurations, MY2003. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class at a glance
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class has 5 configurations in the EPA database, rated 16–20 MPG combined. The most efficient is the CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD at 20 MPG, which costs about $4,020 a year to fuel at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Annual fuel cost across the configurations runs from $4,020 to $5,020, a $1,000 difference. The CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD costs less to fuel than 3 of 10 small car configurations rated for MY2003 (class median $3,490 a year).
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
What the 2003 CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$335
$4,020 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$6.70
Per 100 miles
$26.80
Five years
$20,100
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$530more a year
Class median $3,490 a year, MY2003
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLK320 (Most efficient) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,020 |
| CLK320 (Cabriolet) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,020 |
| CLK430 (Cabriolet) | 4.3L 8-cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,460 |
| CLK500 | 5.0L 8-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| CLK55 AMG | 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,020 |
5 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD: $4,790 in California and $3,480 in Texas, a $1,310 difference.
- California $4,790
- Washington $4,510
- New York $3,970
- Florida $3,670
- Texas $3,480
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2003 small car models.
Generations
Frequently asked questions
How does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2000-2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class) is rated 17–21 MPG combined and costs $3,830–$4,730 a year to fuel; the 2003 model is rated 16–20 MPG and costs $4,020–$5,020 a year.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class get?
EPA rates the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class at 16–20 MPG combined across 5 configurations. The most efficient, the CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 20 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,020 a year. Across all 5 configurations the cost runs $4,020–$5,020 a year. That is a $1,000 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 100 miles?
About $26.80 per 100 miles for the CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $26.80 and $33.47 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD is rated 17 city and 24 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class compare with other small car configurations?
The CLK320 3.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,020 a year to fuel, $530 more than the class median of $3,490, and less than 3 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 349 rated small car configurations for MY2003, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class different from the 2002 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 20 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,020. EPA lists 5 configurations for 2003 against 6 configurations for 2002. See the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class for that year.