Tank Ledger

BMW M235i xDrive MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW M235i xDrive has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2015 to 2020. Across those years its best rated version returned 26 mpg (2020) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (2015). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

26best combined mpg (2020)
23worst combined mpg (2015)
26latest year best (2020)
3configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2015123 mpg23 mpg#41 of 71 (43th pct)All-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2016123 mpg23 mpg#43 of 71 (40th pct)All-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2020126 mpg26 mpg#43 of 79 (46th pct)All-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW M235i xDrive placed highest in 2015 at #41 of 71, and lowest in 2016 at #43 of 71. It spent 0 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 3 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20202.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop233226442.311.4$3,0003355/10
20163.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop203023500.012.9$3,3503765/10
20153.0L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) PremiumSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop203023500.012.9$3,3503796/10

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2016 → 202023 → 26 mpg+3 mpg442 gal

What M235i xDrive fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2020 BMW M235i 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$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 2020 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 Subcompact Cars

Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 26 mpg the BMW M235i xDrive is 2 mpg better the median, which is worth about $129 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other BMW nameplates

Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.