The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 4matic Coupe gets a combined fuel economy of 28 MPG, which aligns with its goal of delivering a stylish and fun driving experience without sacrificing practicality. It’s not a hyper-efficient hybrid, nor a gas-guzzling performance car. The CLE300 is a good choice for buyers who value style, technology, and a refined driving experience, and who are willing to accept adequate fuel economy in return.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates break down the combined MPG, showing 24 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. The lower city figure reflects urban driving’s stop-and-go conditions, where the engine idles more and accelerates often. The 34 MPG highway rating shows the benefit of the 9-speed automatic transmission, which allows the engine to cruise at lower RPMs for better efficiency on long trips. These numbers are believable in real-world driving and reflect the vehicle’s programming, which favors efficiency in Comfort mode.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 4matic Coupe at $2,050. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, using the national average fuel price. Remember that this is an estimate. Actual fuel costs depend on your individual driving habits, local fuel prices, and how much city versus highway driving you do. Expect this number to increase if you use premium fuel or drive aggressively. Smart Mercedes-Benz buyers control their acceleration and get good fuel economy.

Real-world expectations

EPA ratings are a standard, but real-world fuel economy varies. Most drivers can expect numbers close to the EPA rating as long as they avoid Sport mode. Hard acceleration and braking reduce fuel economy quickly. The all-wheel-drive system (4matic) also adds weight and complexity, which can slightly reduce efficiency, especially in city driving, compared to similar rear-wheel drive vehicles.

How it compares

The CLE300 competes with other sporty coupes with different fuel economy. The BMW 430i Coupe, with its 2.0-liter engine, gets about 28 MPG combined, similar to the CLE300. The Audi A5 Coupe also gets around 28 MPG combined, but the S5, with its more powerful engine, gets significantly worse fuel economy. The Lexus RC 300 gets substantially less than the CLE 300, with 24 MPG combined. When shopping against those competitors, the CLE300 MPG across all years is competitive.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Use the CLE300’s driving modes. Comfort mode prioritizes fuel efficiency by optimizing throttle response and shift points. Driving in this mode increases your gas mileage. Avoid Sport mode if you want maximum MPG, it is designed to make the car more responsive. Comfort mode has the opposite effect.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressures often and inflate them to the recommended levels, which are usually on a sticker inside the driver’s side doorjamb. And it’s important to have your tires aligned correctly to avoid unnecessary tire wear.

Avoid idling for long periods. Leaving the engine running while stopped wastes fuel. If you expect to be stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. Newer vehicles like the CLE300 often have an auto start/stop system that shuts off and restarts the engine automatically. You can disable this feature it if you don’t like it.

Reduce extra weight. Carrying unnecessary items adds weight and reduces fuel efficiency. Remove anything you don’t need from the trunk or rear seats. This also applies to roof racks and other accessories that increase weight or aerodynamic drag. Lighter vehicles are more efficient and require less energy to accelerate than heavier ones.

Plan your routes. Combining errands into one trip and avoiding traffic can improve fuel economy. Use navigation apps to find the best routes and avoid peak traffic. This helps you minimize stop-and-go driving and maintain a more consistent speed, leading to better fuel efficiency. If you are looking for all Mercedes Benz fuel economy data there is more information available online.