Tank Ledger

BMW 325i/325is MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 325i/325is has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 1989 to 1995. Across those years its best rated version returned 20 mpg (1993) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1989). The EPA record holds 14 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

In the EPA record this nameplate also appears as 325i/325is and 325i/325iS. The figures below cover every one of them.

20best combined mpg (1993)
18worst combined mpg (1989)
20latest year best (1995)
14configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1989218 mpg18 mpg#54 of 71 (24th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1990218 mpg18 mpg#55 of 65 (16th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1991218 mpg18 mpg#61 of 73 (17th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1992219 mpg19 mpg#47 of 69 (32th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1993220 mpg20 mpg#42 of 64 (35th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1994220 mpg20 mpg#35 of 56 (38th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1995220 mpg20 mpg#27 of 50 (47th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 325i/325is placed highest in 1995 at #27 of 50, and lowest in 1991 at #61 of 73. It spent 0 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 14 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19952.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)182620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19952.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium(FFS)172620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19942.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)182620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19942.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium(FFS)172620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19932.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)182620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19932.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium(FFS)172620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
19922.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(FFS)162319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
19922.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium(FFS)162419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
19912.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)162018638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19912.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)162218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19902.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)162018638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19902.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)162218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19892.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)162018638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19892.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS) (MPFI)162218638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1991 → 199218 → 19 mpg+1 mpg605 gal
1992 → 199319 → 20 mpg+1 mpg575 gal

What 325i/325is fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1995 BMW 325i/325is burns 575 to 575 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,725$1,725$0
$3.50/gal$2,013$2,013$0
$4.00/gal$2,300$2,300$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1995 model year is $3,900 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Subcompact Cars

Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 20 mpg the BMW 325i/325is is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $335 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other BMW nameplates

Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.