BMW 5 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the BMW 5 Series is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,620 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (530i Sedan, 31 MPG combined), against $2,880 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E350, 28 MPG combined). That is $260 a year, or $1,300 over five years.
Both are classed as Midsize cars by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Midsize cars
BMW 5 Series
Lowest fuel cost configuration
530i Sedan
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$17.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
4 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Midsize cars
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lowest fuel cost configuration
E350
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$19.20 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- BMW 5 Series$2,620 a year · $17.47 per 100 mi
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class$2,880 a year · $19.20 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$260
BMW 5 Series costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$1,300
$260 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | BMW 5 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | 530i Sedan | E350 |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 31 MPG (better) | 28 MPG |
| City rating | 28 MPG (better) | 25 MPG |
| Highway rating | 35 MPG (better) | 33 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,620/yr (better) | $2,880/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $17.47 (better) | $19.20 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,060–$2,820 | $2,090–$3,210 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 4 | 6 |
| EPA class | Midsize cars | Midsize cars |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | BMW 5 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 31 MPG · $2,620/yr 530i Sedan | 28 MPG · $2,880/yr E350 |
| Plug-in hybrid | 25 MPG gas-only · $2,060/yr 550e xDrive Sedan | 24 MPG gas-only · $2,090/yr AMG E53 Hybrid 4matic Plus |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
BMW 5 Series
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,620 vs $2,880
- Higher combined rating: 31 MPG vs 28 MPG
- Higher city rating: 28 MPG vs 25 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 35 MPG vs 33 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best plug-in hybrid configuration: $2,060 vs $2,090
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | BMW 5 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 25–31 MPG | $2,060–$2,820 | 22–28 MPG | $2,090–$3,210 |
| 2025 | 24–31 MPG | $2,090–$2,830 | 23–28 MPG | $2,140–$3,210 |
| 2024 | 28–30 MPG | $2,690–$2,820 | 25–27 MPG | $2,950–$3,210 |
| 2023 | 20–28 MPG | $2,240–$4,090 | 19–26 MPG | $3,100–$4,290 |
| 2022 | 20–28 MPG | $2,240–$4,010 | 22–26 MPG | $3,110–$3,610 |
| 2021 | 25–28 MPG | $2,240–$3,070 | 18–26 MPG | $3,080–$4,370 |
| 2020 | 25–28 MPG | $2,170–$3,270 | 18–26 MPG | $3,060–$4,590 |
| 2019 | 24–29 MPG | $2,210–$3,370 | 18–25 MPG | $3,250–$4,590 |
| 2018 | 23–30 MPG | $2,200–$3,420 | 18–25 MPG | $3,190–$4,510 |
| 2017 | 18–27 MPG | $2,930–$4,390 | 20–25 MPG | $3,190–$3,990 |
| 2016 | 19–30 MPG | $3,030–$4,170 | 18–23 MPG | $3,420–$4,540 |
| 2015 | 19–30 MPG | $3,050–$4,310 | 18–25 MPG | $3,160–$4,540 |
| 2014 | 19–30 MPG | $3,030–$4,290 | 17–26 MPG | $3,040–$4,590 |
| 2013 | 17–27 MPG | $2,950–$4,640 | 18–26 MPG | $3,040–$4,420 |
| 2012 | 17–27 MPG | $2,970–$4,840 | 18–23 MPG | $3,490–$4,420 |
| 2011 | 17–25 MPG | $3,230–$4,620 | 15–20 MPG | $3,990–$5,280 |
| 2010 | 18–22 MPG | $3,650–$4,460 | 15–21 MPG | $3,830–$5,360 |
| 2009 | 18–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,460 | 15–26 MPG | $3,630–$5,360 |
| 2008 | 18–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,460 | 14–26 MPG | $3,630–$5,740 |
| 2007 | 16–22 MPG | $3,650–$5,020 | 14–26 MPG | $3,630–$5,740 |
| 2006 | 16–21 MPG | $3,830–$5,020 | 15–27 MPG | $3,500–$5,360 |
| 2005 | 17–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,730 | 15–27 MPG | $3,500–$5,360 |
| 2004 | 17–22 MPG | $3,650–$4,730 | 15–20 MPG | $4,020–$5,360 |
| 2003 | 16–22 MPG | $3,650–$5,020 | 15–20 MPG | $4,020–$5,360 |
| 2002 | 16–22 MPG | $3,650–$5,020 | 18–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,460 |
| 2001 | 16–21 MPG | $3,830–$5,020 | 18–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,460 |
| 2000 | 16–21 MPG | $3,830–$5,020 | 17–21 MPG | $3,830–$4,730 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the BMW 5 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The BMW 5 Series is cheaper: about $2,620 a year against $2,880 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a difference of $260 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the BMW 5 Series save over five years?
About $1,300 ($260 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the BMW 5 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The BMW 5 Series is rated 31 MPG combined against 28 MPG for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. City: 28 MPG vs 25 MPG. Highway: 35 MPG vs 33 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Midsize cars.
Explore these cars
- BMW 5 Series: ratings, trims and every model year
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 BMW 5 Series: all configurations
- 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: all configurations
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