The BMW 330i does 26.4 mpg combined (22.8 city, 32 highway), which works out to about $1,455 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 31 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 21.3 — a difference of $564 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every BMW 330i engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW 330i ranges from 31 down to 21.3 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $564 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 28 / 35 | 2025–2026 | $1,239 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 25.1 / 35 | 2017–2024 | $1,324 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 27 | 2001–2006 | $1,803 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 330i burns a gallon every 26.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 455 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.121 |
| Fuel per year | $1,455 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,275 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$39 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,988 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 330i gives up 9.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32 out there against 22.8 in town, a 40% drop worth $484 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.8 mpg | $1,684 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32 mpg | $1,200 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.2 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 330i changed over the years
The 330i peaked in 2026 at 31 mpg (28 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 21 — 10 mpg apart, or $590 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 31. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2025 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2024 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2023 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2022 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2021 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2020 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2019 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2018 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2017 | 23 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2006 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2004 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 16 EPA ratings of the BMW 330i — 3 engines across 2001–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,988. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 330i get?
26.4 mpg combined on average — 22.8 in the city and 32 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2001–2026.
How much does a BMW 330i cost in fuel per year?
About $1,455 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,275 over five years, or 0.121 dollars a mile.
Which 330i engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 31 mpg, against 21.3 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $564 a year.
Is the 330i good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 330i figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the BMW 330i is $2,988 against the $1,455 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 31 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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