BMW 540i xDrive MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 540i xDrive has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 2017 to 2021. Across those years its best rated version returned 26 mpg (2021) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (2017). The EPA record holds 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #87 of 110 (21th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2018 | 1 | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | #100 of 125 (20th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2019 | 1 | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | #100 of 127 (21th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2020 | 1 | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | #84 of 124 (33th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2021 | 1 | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | #68 of 116 (42th 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 540i xDrive placed highest in 2021 at #68 of 116, and lowest in 2018 at #100 of 125. It spent 0 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, turbocharged, start-stop | 23 | 31 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $3,000 | 337 | 5/10 |
| 2020 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $3,100 | 359 | 5/10 |
| 2019 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $3,250 | 371 | 5/10 |
| 2018 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 380 | 5/10 |
| 2017 | 3.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 380 | 5/10 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 3 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 → 2019 | 23 → 24 mpg | +1 mpg | 479 gal |
| 2019 → 2020 | 24 → 25 mpg | +1 mpg | 460 gal |
| 2020 → 2021 | 25 → 26 mpg | +1 mpg | 442 gal |
What 540i xDrive fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2021 BMW 540i xDrive burns 442 to 442 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 | $1,327 | $1,327 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,548 | $1,548 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,769 | $1,769 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2021 model year is $3,000 to $3,000 a year in fuel, or $3,750 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 26 mpg the BMW 540i xDrive is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $62 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.