The BMW X1 does 25.8 mpg combined (22.7 city, 31.6 highway), which works out to about $1,488 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 26.8 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 21 — a difference of $396 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every BMW X1 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW X1 ranges from 26.8 down to 21 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $396 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 | 23.7 / 32.9 | 2013–2026 | $1,433 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 2013–2015 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
The BMW X1 burns a gallon every 25.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 465 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.124 |
| Fuel per year | $1,488 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,440 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$6 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,012 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW X1 gives up 8.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 31.6 out there against 22.7 in town, a 39% drop worth $477 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 | 22.7 mpg | $1,692 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.6 mpg | $1,215 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.9 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the X1 changed over the years
The X1 peaked in 2026 at 28 mpg (25 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 23.5 — 4.5 mpg apart, or $263 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 28. 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 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2025 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2024 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2023 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2022 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2021 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2018 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2017 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 22 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2015 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2014 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2013 | 21 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 17 EPA ratings of the BMW X1 — 2 engines across 2013–2026. 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 $3,012. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW X1 get?
25.8 mpg combined on average — 22.7 in the city and 31.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2026.
How much does a BMW X1 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,488 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,440 over five years, or 0.124 dollars a mile.
Which X1 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 26.8 mpg, against 21 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $396 a year.
Is the X1 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world X1 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 X1 is $3,012 against the $1,488 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 28 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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