BMW X3 MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW X3 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2004 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 17 mpg (2004). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | #15 of 85 (83th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| 2005 | 4 | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | #23 of 87 (74th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| 2006 | 2 | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | #28 of 93 (71th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW X3 placed highest in 2004 at #15 of 85, and lowest in 2006 at #28 of 93. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 14 | 21 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 2006 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2005 | 2.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 2.5L 6-cyl | 15 | 22 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 2005 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 14 | 21 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 2005 | 2.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 2.5L 6-cyl | 15 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2005 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 2.5L 6-cyl | 15 | 22 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 14 | 21 | 17 | 676.5 | 17.5 | $4,550 | 522.7647058823529 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 2.5L 6-cyl | 15 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 15 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
What X3 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 BMW X3 burns 639 to 676 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 | $1,917 | $2,029 | $113 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,236 | $2,368 | $132 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,556 | $2,706 | $150 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $4,300 to $4,550 a year in fuel, or $10,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Across the 219 nameplates EPA classifies as Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 18 mpg the BMW X3 is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $319 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD 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.