BMW i8 MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW i8 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2014 to 2017. Across those years its best rated version returned 28 mpg (2014) and its thirstiest returned 28 mpg (2014). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | #16 of 63 (76th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Subcompact Cars |
| 2015 | 1 | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | #13 of 71 (83th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Subcompact Cars |
| 2016 | 1 | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | #15 of 71 (80th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Subcompact Cars |
| 2017 | 1 | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | #16 of 88 (83th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Subcompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW i8 placed highest in 2015 at #13 of 71, and lowest in 2014 at #16 of 63. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 4 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | Range | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1.5L 3-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd Premium and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, turbocharged, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 28 | 29 | 28 | 410.7 | 6.6 | $2,750 | 330 mi | 199 | 10/10 |
| 2016 | 1.5L 3-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd Premium and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, turbocharged, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 28 | 29 | 28 | 410.7 | 6.6 | $2,750 | 330 mi | 198 | 9/10 |
| 2015 | 1.5L 3-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd Premium and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, turbocharged, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 28 | 29 | 28 | 410.7 | 6.6 | $2,750 | 330 mi | 198 | 10/10 |
| 2014 | 1.5L 3-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd Premium and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, turbocharged, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 28 | 29 | 28 | 410.7 | 6.6 | $2,750 | 330 mi | 198 | 10/10 |
What i8 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2017 BMW i8 burns 411 to 411 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 | $1,232 | $1,232 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,438 | $1,438 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,643 | $1,643 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2017 model year is $2,750 to $2,750 a year in fuel, or $750 less 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 28 mpg the BMW i8 is 4 mpg better the median, which is worth about $240 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Subcompact 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.