Tank Ledger

BMW X5 MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW X5 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 2000 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 16 mpg (2001) and its thirstiest returned 14 mpg (2000). The EPA record holds 21 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.

16best combined mpg (2001)
14worst combined mpg (2000)
16latest year best (2006)
21configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2000114 mpg14 mpg#33 of 46 (29th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2001516 mpg14 mpg#29 of 59 (52th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2002316 mpg14 mpg#32 of 72 (56th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2003316 mpg14 mpg#38 of 81 (54th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2004316 mpg16 mpg#39 of 85 (55th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2005316 mpg16 mpg#43 of 87 (51th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
2006316 mpg16 mpg#46 of 93 (51th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSport 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 X5 placed highest in 2001 at #29 of 59, and lowest in 2006 at #46 of 93. It spent 6 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 21 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20063.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl132016718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20063.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20064.4L 8-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.4L 8-cyl142016718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20053.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl132016718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20053.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20054.4L 8-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.4L 8-cyl142016718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20043.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl132016718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20043.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20044.4L 8-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium4.4L 8-cyl142016718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20034.4L 8-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.4L 8-cyl131714821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
20033.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20033.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20024.4L 8-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.4L 8-cyl121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
20023.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20023.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20014.4L 8-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium4.4L 8-cyl121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a
20013.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20013.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20013.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20013.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/a
20004.4L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium4.4L 8-cyl121614821.421.3$5,550634.7857142857143n/a

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
2000 → 200114 → 16 mpg+2 mpg719 gal

What X5 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 BMW X5 burns 719 to 719 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$2,156$2,156$0
$3.50/gal$2,516$2,516$0
$4.00/gal$2,875$2,875$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $4,850 to $4,850 a year in fuel, or $13,000 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 16 mpg the BMW X5 is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $599 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.