Mercedes-Benz C-Class MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA Mercedes-Benz C-Class MPG for every model year from 1994 to 2027.
C-Class MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 279 configurations of the C-Class across gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Pick a year to see each engine and drivetrain.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C300Mild hybridPremium Gasoline | 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto 9-spd | RWD | 25 | 35 | 29 | View |
| C300 4maticMild hybridPremium Gasoline | 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto 9-spd | AWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | View |
| AMG C43 4maticMild hybridPremium Gasoline | 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto 9-spd | AWD | 19 | 27 | 22 | View |
Plug-in hybrid rows show the gas-only rating.
C-Class MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every C-Class configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers.
Years When C-Class Fuel Economy Changed
Most years look a lot like the one before. These are the years where the EPA numbers moved in a way that matters if you're shopping for a used C-Class.
- 2003: Four-wheel drive becomes available. The best four-wheel drive version is rated at 19 MPG combined. The top combined rating rises to 24 MPG, up from 21 MPG the year before.
- 2012: The top combined rating rises to 25 MPG, up from 21 MPG the year before.
- 2015: The top combined rating rises to 28 MPG, up from 25 MPG the year before.
- 2016: A plug-in hybrid version arrives, rated at 30 MPG combined when running on gas alone.
- 2027: The first hybrid C-Class shows up in the EPA data, rated at up to 29 MPG combined.
How the C-Class Compares
The EPA rated 16 compact cars for 2026. The best C-Class version, at 29 MPG combined, ties for 10th with 1 other model of 16. Combined ratings in the class run from 12 to 50 MPG, with a median of 30. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG |
| 2 | Lexus UX | 43 MPG |
| 3 | Volkswagen Jetta | 34 MPG |
| 4 | MINI Cooper | 32 MPG |
| 5 | BMW 2 Series | 31 MPG |
| 10 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG |
What Does a C-Class Cost to Fuel?
Pick a C-Class, then enter your gas price and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
C-Class MPG Questions
Which C-Class year gets the best gas mileage?
The 2016 to 2018 C350e holds the top EPA rating at 30 MPG combined (28 city, 32 highway). That's its gas-only rating as a plug-in hybrid. Among 2026 models, the C300 is rated at 29 MPG combined.
What's the best gas mileage from a non-hybrid C-Class?
The 2024 C300 with the 2.0L 4-cylinder and rear-wheel drive is rated at 30 MPG combined (26 city, 36 highway).
Is there still a gas-only C-Class?
Yes. The 2026 C-Class lineup includes 3 gas-only versions, rated 22 to 29 MPG combined.
Does all-wheel drive hurt C-Class fuel economy?
A little. On the 2026 C-Class, the best rear-wheel drive version is rated at 29 MPG combined and the best all-wheel drive version at 27 MPG.
Why doesn't my C-Class match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests so every car is measured the same way. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, cargo, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one car against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
Keep Going
Where These Numbers Come From
Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset on fueleconomy.gov, pulled together by Cedrick Reese. The file lists 279 ratings for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class from 1994 to 2027. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. Ratings from before 2008 use the EPA's revised estimates, which put older vehicles on the same scale as newer ones. Plug-in hybrid figures in the table are the gas-only ratings, since those are the ones you can compare with a regular car. The page is rebuilt whenever the EPA publishes an updated file, which picks up new model years and any rating corrections. The cost calculator uses the gas price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Vehicle data field definitions, including the revised 1984-2007 estimates, fueleconomy.gov
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov