BMW 540i MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 540i has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 14 model years, from 1994 to 2021. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (2021) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1995). The EPA record holds 27 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 540i placed highest in 1998 at #40 of 47, and lowest in 2019 at #99 of 127. It spent 0 of its 14 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 27 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 4 of 4 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What 540i fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2021 BMW 540i burns 426 to 426 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2021 model year is $2,850 to $2,850 a year in fuel, or $3,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 27 mpg the BMW 540i is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $57 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Compact 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.