The BMW Alpina does 18.3 mpg combined (15.9 city, 22.9 highway), which works out to about $2,098 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4.4L 8-cyl does 18.7 mpg while 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid does 17 — a difference of $206 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every BMW Alpina engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW Alpina ranges from 18.7 down to 17 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $206 a year across 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 15.8 / 23.8 | 2011–2022 | $2,053 | |
| 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid | 16 / 20 | 2023–2026 | $2,259 |
What that actually costs
The BMW Alpina burns a gallon every 18.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 656 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.175 |
| Fuel per year | $2,098 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,490 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$287 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,244 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW Alpina gives up 7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 22.9 out there against 15.9 in town, a 44% drop worth $738 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 | 15.9 mpg | $2,415 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.9 mpg | $1,677 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Alpina changed over the years
The Alpina peaked in 2020 at 20 mpg (17 city, 25 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 17 — 3 mpg apart, or $339 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 17. 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 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2025 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2024 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2023 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2022 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2021 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2020 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2019 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2018 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2017 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2016 | 15 / 24 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2015 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2014 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2013 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2012 | 14 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2011 | 14 / 21 | 1 | $2,259 |
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 Alpina — 2 engines across 2011–2026. 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 $4,244. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW Alpina get?
18.3 mpg combined on average — 15.9 in the city and 22.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2026.
How much does a BMW Alpina cost in fuel per year?
About $2,098 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,490 over five years, or 0.175 dollars a mile.
Which Alpina engine is the most economical?
The 4.4L 8-cyl at 18.7 mpg, against 17 for the 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid — a difference of about $206 a year.
Is the Alpina good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world Alpina 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 Alpina is $4,244 against the $2,098 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 20 and 17 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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