Against 247 other V6 cars rated 2024–2026, the M2 trails their 21 mpg average by 2 mpg, about $192 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2016, the 2L 4-cyl (2022), does 26 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3L 6-cyl (2016–2026), 20.7: $378 a year apart.
Every BMW M2 engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 23 / 32 | 2022–2022 | $1,477 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.3 / 25.1 | 2016–2026 | $1,855 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Bentley Continental gets 19 mpg, the Lexus LC 21.7 mpg and the Audi RS 5 20 mpg, next to 19 mpg for the 2026 M2.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.168 |
| Fuel per year | $2,021 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,105 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2024–2026 | +$192 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,713 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 BMW M2 gives up 7 mpg in town: 23 on the highway against 16 in the city, $730 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23 mpg | $1,670 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the M2 changed over the years
The M2 peaked in 2022 at 26 mpg (23 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 19 — 7 mpg apart, or $544 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 19. The biggest single-year change came in 2023: 26 to 19 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2025 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2024 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2023 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2022 | 23 / 32 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2020 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2019 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2016 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 |
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
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the BMW M2 — 2 engines across 2016–2026. 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 $3,713. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 BMW M2 get?
19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2016 the M2 has averaged 21.2 mpg.
Is the 2026 M2 more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 19 against 19 mpg combined.
Which M2 year has the best gas mileage?
The 2022, at 26 mpg combined (23 city, 32 highway).
Does the M2 get better gas mileage than the Bentley Continental?
About the same: 19 mpg for the 2026 M2 against 19 for the 2026 Bentley Continental.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.