- Newest year: 2018
- Gas
- Small cars
- Same as 2017
2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MPG & Fuel Cost
4 model years · 18–24 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 2 of 10 small car configurations, MY2018. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class at a glance
The 2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class covers 4 model years in the EPA database (16 configurations in all), rated 18–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2018, costs about $3,830 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the CLS550 4.7L 8-cyl turbo RWD (21 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2016 and 2017; 2018 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2015 and 2016.
2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Gas | 18–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,480 | Same EPA ratings as 2017 |
| 2017 | Gas | 18–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,480 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Gas | 18–24 MPG | $3,400–$4,490 | Ratings changed |
| 2015 | Gas | 18–24 MPG | $3,420–$4,480 | First year |
What the 2018 CLS550 4.7L 8-cyl turbo RWD costs to drive
Per month
$319
$3,830 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$6.38
Per 100 miles
$25.53
Five years
$19,150
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$660more a year
Class median $3,170 a year, MY2018
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MPG
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class as for the 2017 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2017 section above.See 2017
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLS550 (Most efficient) | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,830 |
| CLS550 4matic | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,010 |
| AMG CLS63 S 4matic | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,480 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MPG
18–21 MPG · $3,830–$4,480/yr
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration moves from 24 to 21 MPG, down 3. Its annual cost goes from $3,400 to $3,830, $430 more.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLS550 (Most efficient) | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,830 |
| CLS550 4matic | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,010 |
| AMG CLS63 S 4matic | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,480 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MPG
18–24 MPG · $3,400–$4,490/yr
Versus 2015: The most efficient configuration stays at 24 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $3,420 to $3,400, $20 less.
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLS400 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 30 | 24 | $3,400 |
| CLS400 4matic | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,660 |
| CLS550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,920 |
| CLS550 4matic | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,010 |
| AMG CLS63 S 4matic | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,490 |
5 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class MPG
18–24 MPG · $3,420–$4,480/yr
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLS400 (Most efficient) | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | RWD | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,420 |
| CLS400 4matic | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,670 |
| CLS550 | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | RWD | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,920 |
| CLS550 4matic | 4.7L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,160 |
| CLS63 AMG S 4matic | 5.5L 8-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,480 |
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 CLS550 4.7L 8-cyl turbo RWD: $4,570 in California and $3,320 in Texas, a $1,250 difference.
- California $4,570
- Washington $4,300
- New York $3,790
- Florida $3,500
- Texas $3,320
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2018 small car models.
Generations
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class get?
EPA rates the 2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class at 18–24 MPG combined across 16 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2016 CLS400 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD, is rated 24 MPG (20 city, 30 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
The CLS400 3.0L 6-cyl turbo RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2015 and 2016. The lowest top rating, 21 MPG, was in 2017 and 2018.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2016 and 2017. In 2018 the values repeat the year before.
How does the 2015-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2012-2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class) is rated 18–20 MPG combined and costs $3,990–$4,480 a year to fuel; the 2015-2018 model is rated 18–24 MPG and costs $3,400–$4,490 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the CLS550 4.7L 8-cyl turbo RWD costs about $3,830 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $3,830–$4,480 a year. That is a $650 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 100 miles?
About $25.53 per 100 miles for the CLS550 4.7L 8-cyl turbo RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $25.53 and $29.87 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The CLS550 4.7L 8-cyl turbo RWD is rated 18 city and 26 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 8 MPG.
How does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class compare with other small car configurations?
The CLS550 4.7L 8-cyl turbo RWD costs about $3,830 a year to fuel, $660 more than the class median of $3,170, and less than 2 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 365 rated small car configurations for MY2018, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class different from the 2017 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2017 and 2018: 3 configurations rated 18–21 MPG combined. See the 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class for that year.