Against 147 other Hybrid cars rated 2018–2020, the i8 trails their 32.2 mpg average by 5.2 mpg, about $229 a year.
Every BMW i8 engine, compared
The BMW i8 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 3-cyl Hybrid | 27.3 / 29 | 2014–2020 | $1,386 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Bentley Continental gets 19 mpg, the Lexus LC 24.3 mpg and the Audi RS 5 21 mpg, next to 27 mpg for the 2020 i8. The i8 is the cheapest of them to run: $599 a year less than the Bentley Continental.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2020) | $0.119 |
| Fuel per year | $1,422 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,110 |
| Against other Hybrid cars, 2018–2020 | +$229 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,783 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2020 BMW i8 gives up 3 mpg in town: 29 on the highway against 26 in the city, $153 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2020) | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29 mpg | $1,324 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3 mpg (12%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the i8 changed over the years
The i8 peaked in 2017 at 28 mpg (28 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2020 at 27 — 1 mpg apart, or $51 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2020 car does 27.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 26 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2017 | 28 / 29 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2016 | 28 / 29 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2015 | 28 / 29 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2014 | 28 / 29 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the BMW i8 — 1 engine across 2014–2020. 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 $2,783. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2020 BMW i8 get?
27 mpg combined, 26 city and 29 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2014 the i8 has averaged 27.7 mpg.
Is the 2020 i8 more efficient than the 2019?
About the same: 27 against 27 mpg combined.
Which i8 year has the best gas mileage?
The 2017, at 28 mpg combined (28 city, 29 highway).
Does the i8 get better gas mileage than the Bentley Continental?
Yes: 27 mpg for the 2020 i8 against 19 for the 2021 Bentley Continental, about $599 a year less to run.
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