BMW 535i xDrive MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 535i xDrive has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 8 model years, from 2009 to 2016. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (2012) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (2009). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | #41 of 66 (38th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2010 | 2 | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | #44 of 63 (31th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2011 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #35 of 71 (51th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2012 | 1 | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | #34 of 76 (56th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2013 | 1 | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | #53 of 92 (43th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2014 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #72 of 107 (33th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2015 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #66 of 101 (35th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2016 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #76 of 112 (32th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 535i xDrive placed highest in 2012 at #34 of 76, and lowest in 2016 at #76 of 112. It spent 2 of its 8 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 384 | 5/10 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 385 | 5/10 |
| 2014 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 384 | 6/10 |
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $3,250 | 371 | 6/10 |
| 2012 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 21 | 30 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $3,250 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2009 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 16 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2009 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 → 2011 | 20 → 23 mpg | +3 mpg | 500 gal |
| 2011 → 2012 | 23 → 24 mpg | +1 mpg | 479 gal |
| 2013 → 2014 | 24 → 23 mpg | -1 mpg | 500 gal |
What 535i xDrive fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2016 BMW 535i xDrive burns 500 to 500 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,750 | $1,750 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,000 | $2,000 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2016 model year is $3,350 to $3,350 a year in fuel, or $5,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Cars
Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 23 mpg the BMW 535i xDrive is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $140 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other BMW nameplates
Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.