The BMW 330i does 26.4 mpg combined (22.8 city, 32.0 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 25.4 mpg.
Every BMW 330i engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.121 |
| Fuel per year | $1,455 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,275 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$57 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,900 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 32.0 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
Combined figure by model year. 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.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 330i get?
26.4 mpg combined on average — 22.8 in the city and 32.0 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 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.