Against 455 other 4-cyl cars rated 2022–2024, the M235i sits right on their 26.7 mpg average. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2014, the 2L 4-cyl (2020–2024), does 26.4 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3L 6-cyl (2014–2016), 24.7: $100 a year apart.
Every BMW M235i engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 23.4 / 32.4 | 2020–2024 | $1,455 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 21 / 31 | 2014–2016 | $1,555 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Honda Civic gets 39.3 mpg, the Lexus RC 22.3 mpg and the Audi S3 26 mpg, next to 27 mpg for the 2024 M235i.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2024) | $0.119 |
| Fuel per year | $1,422 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,110 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2022–2024 | −$16 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,994 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2024 BMW M235i gives up 9 mpg in town: 33 on the highway against 24 in the city, $436 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2024) | 24 mpg | $1,600 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33 mpg | $1,164 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (38%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the M235i changed over the years
The M235i peaked in 2024 at 27 mpg (24 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2016 at 24 — 3 mpg apart, or $178 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2022 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 20 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2015 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2014 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,536 |
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 8 EPA ratings of the BMW M235i — 2 engines across 2014–2024. 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 $2,994. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2024 BMW M235i get?
27 mpg combined, 24 city and 33 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2014 the M235i has averaged 25.8 mpg.
Is the 2024 M235i more efficient than the 2023?
About the same: 27 against 27 mpg combined.
Which M235i year has the best gas mileage?
The 2024, at 27 mpg combined (24 city, 33 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the M235i get better gas mileage than the Honda Civic?
No: 27 mpg for the 2024 M235i against 39.3 for the 2025 Honda Civic, about $445 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.