BMW 550i xDrive MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 550i xDrive has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2011 to 2016. Across those years its best rated version returned 19 mpg (2013) and its thirstiest returned 17 mpg (2012). The EPA record holds 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | #63 of 71 (11th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2012 | 1 | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | #72 of 76 (5th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2013 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #81 of 92 (12th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2014 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #92 of 107 (14th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2015 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #86 of 101 (15th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2016 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #96 of 112 (14th 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 550i xDrive placed highest in 2011 at #63 of 71, and lowest in 2016 at #96 of 112. It spent 0 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 6 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 | 4.4L 8-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 463 | 4/10 |
| 2015 | 4.4L 8-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 461 | 4/10 |
| 2014 | 4.4L 8-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 466 | 4/10 |
| 2013 | 4.4L 8-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 476 | 4/10 |
| 2012 | 4.4L 8-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 15 | 20 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 2011 | 4.4L 8-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 16 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 → 2012 | 18 → 17 mpg | -1 mpg | 676 gal |
| 2012 → 2013 | 17 → 19 mpg | +2 mpg | 605 gal |
What 550i xDrive fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2016 BMW 550i xDrive burns 605 to 605 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 | $1,816 | $1,816 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,118 | $2,118 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,421 | $2,421 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2016 model year is $4,100 to $4,100 a year in fuel, or $9,250 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 19 mpg the BMW 550i xDrive is 6 mpg below the median, which is worth about $508 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.