The current BMW model range represents a wide range of cars and an even wider range in performance figures. From small 2-liter sedans all the way up to incredible V8 SUVs, there’s something for everyone. In today’s world, with fuel costs near all-time highs, more and more owners are looking at fuel economy and MPG figures when choosing their next car, and even on BMW models, this has become important.
So what do the fuel economy figures look like on BMW models? In this article, we’ve taken a look at the current BMW range, and we’ve picked out those cars with the best and worst fuel economy. Looking for a BMW that’ll get you 500 miles on a single-fuel tank? Or looking at how thirsty the M division cars truly are? We’ve got those questions answered here…
Gasoline / Petrol Engine BMW Models
As you’d expect, the majority of current BMW models are still powered by gasoline, and we have standard miles-per-gallon figures to compare. The below figures are based on BMW’s claimed mpg, which is always slightly higher than real-world driving figures.
Below we’ve covered the five best-performing BMW models and the five worst-performing, based on mpg figures. We’ve also included their fuel tank capacity to show how many miles you can achieve from a full fuel tank.
BMW models with the best fuel economy
5. BMW 530i: 23-25 Urban / 32-33 Highway
In fifth place is the 530i sedan. This model comes with either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive (xDrive), with the latter reducing fuel economy due to the increased weight. Overall the 5 Series is built with a focus on long-distance driving, but it’s still a capable vehicle in the city.
A summary of the two 530i variants is below:
- 530i: 25 / 33
- 530i xDrive: 23 / 32
The 530i is powered by a 2-liter engine, producing 248 bhp. Unlike most of the 5 Series range, which houses significant power upgrades, the 530i is surprisingly economical for a large sedan, only beaten by its hybrid sibling, the 530e.
Overall, with the claimed figures from BMW, I would expect the highway mpg to be very close to the manufacturer’s figure, and I’ve seen 530i values better than 33 mpg before. Urban driving is trickier, and the claimed 23-25 mpg is probably generous.
With a fuel capacity of 18.0 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 432 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 585 miles
4. BMW 430i: 23-25 Urban / 33-34 Highway
BMW’s entry-level 4 Series model sits in fourth place on our list, with an average of 24 mpg for urban driving and 33.5 mpg for highways. The 430i comes in three different specs; Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Convertible. You can also spec the 430i in rear-wheel-drive or xDrive.
These specs impact the fuel economy – as expected, the xDrive models perform worse due to increased vehicle weight, and the convertible has the worst fuel economy of all models. A summary of the mpg figures is below:
- 430i Coupe: 25 / 34
- 430i xDrive Coupe: 23 / 33
- 430i Gran Coupe: 25 / 34
- 430i xDrive Gran Coupe: 23 / 33
- 430i Convertible: 25 / 34
- 430i xDrive Convertible: 23 / 33
With a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder engine and a modest 255 bhp, the 430i is less thirsty than its 6-cylinder relatives in the M440i and M4. BMW’s claimed figures, like most manufacturers, benefit from the start-stop engine technology, so real-world figures are always slightly different.
Overall, if you’re driving your 430i with eco-pro mode enabled, I would expect to be very close to these figures. BMW’s 2-liter engines have always been strong on fuel economy, particularly on longer journeys.
With a fuel capacity of 15.6 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 370 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 523 miles
3. BMW 330i: 24-26 Urban / 34-35 Highway
In third place is the BMW 330i. Following the theme of the other BMW models so far, this is the 2-liter version of BMW’s most popular sedan. Like the 4 and 5 Series models, the 330i comes with rear-wheel-drive or xDrive specs.
The 330i comes in slightly better on mpg figures than the 4 Series, simply by avoiding the problem of the convertible option. Two generations ago, the 3 Series included a convertible, but since the introduction of the 4 Series to the BMW range, 3 Series owners only have one body style to go with. As a result, mpg figures look like this:
- 330i: 25 / 34
- 330i xDrive: 24 / 33
As we’ve seen before, at the heart of the 330i lies a 2-liter engine, equalling the 255 bhp that we saw in the 430i. You also get the same driving mode choices, so the eco-pro mode is still your best option for fuel economy here.
Like the 430i, I expect these figures to be very close to real-world stats in the 330i. The xDrive version may suffer more in comparison, but I would be surprised to see either under the 30 mpg mark on a highway.
With a fuel capacity of 15.6 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 382 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 523 miles
2. BMW X1: 25 Urban / 34 Highway
The penultimate car on our list is the BMW X1. This is the brand’s entry-level SUV, and is currently available in the USA in a single spec – the xDrive 28i. This model of X1 (as the name suggests) is all-wheel-drive and contains a 2-liter engine.
The engine in the X1 puts out 241 bhp, slightly down on the other vehicles we’ve featured. The advantage here is that even with an xDrive system, the X1 is better than even the 330i in fuel economy.
- X1 xDrive28i: 25 / 34
At first glance, you would expect the X1 to be less fuel efficient – it’s larger, so you’d expect less aerodynamic, and the xDrive system should weigh it down. The X1 design has just undergone a recent update though, and it’s a testament to BMW’s engineering that they managed to achieve a competitive mpg here.
The downsides to the X1 are fuel capacity, which is lower than its sedan rivals. As an SUV, you’re more likely to have a full family in the X1 for long journeys too, which will impact the mpg significantly.
With a fuel capacity of 14.3 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 357 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 486 miles
1. BMW 230i: 24-26 Urban / 34-35 Highway
In first place on our list is the BMW 230i. This is the entry-level small coupe, and through a combination of engine choice, weight, and aerodynamics, the 230i takes the crown as the most fuel-efficient combustion engine BMW.
With the same 2-liter, 255 bhp engine as the 4 & 3 Series models, the 230i takes advantage of its size and weight to hit a higher mpg. The xDrive version suffers slightly, and on a car like this, it’s strange to see BMW add that option.
- 230i: 26 / 35
- 230i xDrive: 24 / 34
This small coupe has everything going for it on fuel economy, and with a 0-60 time of just 5.5 seconds, you’re not missing out on performance either. The fuel tank is smaller than the other cars we’ve seen, so longer journeys will require frequent stops.
With a fuel capacity of 13.7 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 342 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 473 miles
BMW models with the worst fuel economy
5. BMW M3 / M4: 16 Urban / 22-23 Highway
Starting our list of the thirstiest BMW models are the latest generation M3 and M4. Unlike the 330i and 430i we covered earlier, the economical 2-liter engines are gone. In true M fashion, both these cars are powered by a 3-liter, 473 bhp, straight-six engine.
The result of this power is a fairly eye-watering mpg. The xDrive versions are slightly worse, but if you’re looking to save money at the fuel station, these aren’t the cars for you.
- M3: 16 / 23
- M3 Competition: 16 / 23
- M3 Competition xDrive: 16 / 22
- M4 Coupe: 16 / 23
- M4 Competition Coupe: 16 / 23
- M4 Competition xDrive Coupe: 16 / 22
It’s worth mentioning that anyone buying an M3 or M4 should know exactly what they are in for with fuel usage. Like all the cars in this section, the focus is power and performance, and with starting prices above $70,000, you probably won’t be worrying about extra fill-ups if you can afford an M3 or M4.
With a fuel capacity of 15.6 gallons for both vehicles, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 250 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 351 miles
4. BMW M8 Competition: 15 Urban / 22 Highway
Next up is the BMW M8 Competition. This is BMW’s flagship model and one of their most expensive cars, starting at over $130,000. With that cost comes a rather thirsty 4.4 V8 engine with over 600 bhp.
The result is an mpg average even lower than the M3 and M4. The M8 Competition has some impressive aerodynamics to help though, so the result isn’t too painful. Still, it doesn’t make for great reading.
- M8 Competition: 15 / 22
- M8 Competition Gran Coupe: 15 / 22
- M8 Competition Convertible: 15 / 22
Strangely enough, the Convertible version doesn’t suffer any more than the hardtop models here. All versions are xDrive too, which will have a small impact, but I wouldn’t expect a rear-wheel-drive M8 to fare any better.
As a ‘grand tourer’ this car is made for long journeys, and the larger fuel tank does help to limit the problems of that monster V8.
With a fuel capacity of 20.1 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 302 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 442 miles
3. BMW M5: 15 Urban / 21 Highway
We have the BMW M5 next, just beating the M8 for lower fuel economy. The M5 is BMW’s ultimate sedan and, like the M8, houses a 4.4-liter V8 engine with over 600 bhp.
With the same engine as the M8 and a less aerodynamic body, the M5 figures come in just under its gran tourer sibling. The M5 only comes in one spec, with an urban/highway MPG of:
- M5: 15 / 21
The M5 could almost be called BMW’s ultimate car. It’s spacious and practical enough for a family, luxurious enough for almost any driver, and houses enough performance to scare a supercar. With all that in mind, fuel economy won’t be at the top of many owners’ priorities, but it still makes tough reading.
With a fuel capacity of 20.1 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 302 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 422 miles
2. BMW X3 M / X4 M: 15 Urban / 20 Highway
Now we come to BMW’s performance SUVs. In second place on our list are the X3 M and X4 M models. These are the performance editions of BMW’s mid-range SUVs, and they share a lot of stats, including their mpg.
Both cars are powered by a 3.0 liter, straight six producing 473 bhp. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the similarity here to the M3 and M4, so why are these cars lower down the list than the M8 and M5, with their V8 engines?
- X3 M: 15 / 20
- X4 M: 15 / 20
The answer becomes clear when you look at the weights. The M5 weighs in at an impressive 4,345 lbs – but the X3 M comes in almost 300 lbs heavier. This increase, combined with the SUV shape, do just enough to push the mpg figures even lower.
Of course, SUV owners have always suffered on mpg figures – they are not the car for anyone looking to save money on fuel. Having said that, the X3 M and X4 M stand out as particularly thirsty. They aren’t the worst though, as we have one more place on our list.
With a fuel capacity of 17.2 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 258 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 344 miles
1. BMW X5 M / X6 M: 13 Urban / 18 Highway
In our top spot are the X5 M and X6 M SUVs. You might have guessed this considering our second-place entries, but the performance versions of the X5 and X6 blow every other BMW out of the water when it comes to drinking fuel.
Both these cars are fitted with the same V8 as the M5, and both are huge vehicles. The X5 M weighs in at a ridiculous 5,455 lbs, so this combination of power and size creates some scary mpg numbers.
- X5 M: 13 / 18
- X6 M: 13 / 18
An mpg of under 20 on highway driving is rare to see, but there’s no doubt here from BMW. I’ve seen real-world figures of under 10 for these cars when driven aggressively, so be warned in advance. As we’ve said with most of the BMWs on this list, if you’re happy to spend over $100,000 on an X5 or X6 M, fuel economy won’t be a major concern.
With a fuel capacity of 21.9 gallons, you should be able to achieve a journey of:
- Urban driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 285 miles
- Highway driving distance on a single tank of fuel: 394 miles
BMW Hybrid and Electric models
We’ve covered the mpg figures for some of the best and worst BMW models, but what about their ever-growing hybrid and electric model range?
Comparing these cars is trickier as we don’t get a standard ‘mpg’ figure, but BMW still provides details on their claimed range and combined fuel economy (for hybrids). There are still only a handful of models on sale in the US, so it’s easier to compare all:
Claimed range for electric BMW models:
The results are close here, between the iX SUV, the i4 sedan, and the i7 luxury model. The iX and i7 benefit from larger batteries, which helps push those range figures to the 300-mile mark. The downside of this is the charging time for those vehicles, but it’s good to see that all BMW electric vehicles should comfortably make a 250-mile trip.
- iX xDrive50: 324 miles
- iX M60: 288 miles
- i4 e35: 256 miles
- i4 e40: 301 miles
- i4 M50: 270 miles
- i7 xDrive60: 318 miles
Claimed mpge for BMW hybrids
BMW’s hybrid section currently includes an X5, 3 Series, and 5 Series model. As we’d expect, the X5 45e comes out worst here as the largest and heaviest vehicle. It’s close between the 330e and 530e, but the smaller sedan takes it.
- X5 xDrive45e: 52 (combined mpge)
- 330e xDrive: 68 (combined mpge)
- 330e: 73 (combined mpge)
- 530e: 67 (combined mpge)
- 530e xDrive: 62 (combined mpge)
Final Thoughts
Overall, the BMW model range offers some fairly large differences in mpg. For anyone looking at saving fuel money, models like the 330i and 230i should be top of your list. For anyone looking at high-performance models, this article probably won’t sway your decision, but I hope it’s good to know what figures you should expect going in.
BMW models with the best MPG:
5. BMW 530i: 23-25 Urban / 32-33 Highway
4. BMW 430i: 23-25 Urban / 33-34 Highway
3. BMW 330i: 24-26 Urban / 34-35 Highway
2. BMW X1: 25 Urban / 34 Highway
1. BMW 230i: 24-26 Urban / 34-35 Highway
If you liked this article and want to find out more about BMW, check out the links below:
BMW Climate Comfort Package Explained
Which BMW Models Have Ambient Lighting?
The BMW Luxury Seating Package Explained
