The BMW M2 does 21.2 mpg combined (18.7 city, 25.7 highway), which works out to about $1,811 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 26 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 20.7 — a difference of $378 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every BMW M2 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW M2 ranges from 26 down to 20.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $378 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 23 / 32 | 2022–2022 | $1,477 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.3 / 25.1 | 2016–2026 | $1,855 |
What that actually costs
The BMW M2 burns a gallon every 21.2 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 566 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.151 |
| Fuel per year | $1,811 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,055 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$119 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,671 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW M2 gives up 7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 25.7 out there against 18.7 in town, a 37% drop worth $559 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 | 18.7 mpg | $2,053 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.7 mpg | $1,494 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7 mpg (37%) | 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. 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 / 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.
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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 $3,671. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW M2 get?
21.2 mpg combined on average — 18.7 in the city and 25.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2016–2026.
How much does a BMW M2 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,811 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,055 over five years, or 0.151 dollars a mile.
Which M2 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 26 mpg, against 20.7 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $378 a year.
Is the M2 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world M2 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 M2 is $3,671 against the $1,811 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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