BMW 3 Series MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA BMW 3 Series MPG for every model year from 1984 to 2026.
3 Series MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 583 configurations of the 3 Series across gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel versions. Pick a year to see each engine and drivetrain.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330i SedanMild hybridPremium Gasoline | 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (S8) | RWD | 28 | 35 | 31 | View |
| 330i xDrive SedanMild hybridPremium Gasoline | 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (S8) | AWD | 26 | 34 | 29 | View |
| M340i SedanMild hybridPremium Gasoline | 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S8) | RWD | 27 | 33 | 29 | View |
| M340i xDrive SedanMild hybridPremium Gasoline | 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S8) | AWD | 26 | 33 | 29 | View |
Plug-in hybrid rows show the gas-only rating.
3 Series MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every 3 Series configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers.
Years When 3 Series Fuel Economy Changed
The 3 Series's ratings stay flat for long stretches. These are the model years where something changed enough to matter when you're comparing used ones.
- 1988: All-wheel drive becomes available. The best all-wheel drive version is rated at 18 MPG combined.
- 1991: The top combined rating rises to 21 MPG, up from 18 MPG the year before.
- 2001: All-wheel drive returns for the first time since 1991. The best all-wheel drive version is rated at 20 MPG combined.
- 2009: The top combined rating rises to 27 MPG, up from 22 MPG the year before.
- 2013: The first hybrid 3 Series shows up in the EPA data, rated at up to 28 MPG combined.
- 2014: The best combined rating jumps from 28 to 36 MPG.
- 2016: A plug-in hybrid version arrives, rated at 31 MPG combined when running on gas alone.
How the 3 Series Compares
The EPA rated 16 compact cars for 2026. The best 3 Series version, at 31 MPG combined, ties for 5th with 1 other model of 16. Combined ratings in the class run from 12 to 50 MPG, with a median of 30. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG |
| 2 | Lexus UX | 43 MPG |
| 3 | Volkswagen Jetta | 34 MPG |
| 4 | MINI Cooper | 32 MPG |
| 5 | BMW 2 Series | 31 MPG |
| 5 | BMW 3 Series | 31 MPG |
What Does a 3 Series Cost to Fuel?
Pick a 3 Series, then enter your gas price and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
3 Series MPG Questions
Which 3 Series year gets the best gas mileage?
The 2014 and 2015 and 2017 and 2018 328d holds the top EPA rating at 36 MPG combined (31 city, 43 highway). Among 2026 models, the 330i Sedan is rated at 31 MPG combined.
What's the best gas mileage from a non-hybrid 3 Series?
The 2014 and 2015 and 2017 and 2018 328d with the 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel and rear-wheel drive is rated at 36 MPG combined (31 city, 43 highway).
Is there still a gas-only 3 Series?
Yes. The 2026 3 Series lineup includes 4 gas-only versions, rated 29 to 31 MPG combined.
Does all-wheel drive hurt 3 Series fuel economy?
A little. On the 2026 3 Series, the best rear-wheel drive version is rated at 31 MPG combined and the best all-wheel drive version at 29 MPG.
Why doesn't my 3 Series match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests so every car is measured the same way. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, cargo, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one car against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
Keep Going
Where These Numbers Come From
This page was built by Cedrick Reese from the U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset on fueleconomy.gov, which holds 583 ratings for the BMW 3 Series from 1984 to 2026. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. Ratings from before 2008 use the EPA's revised estimates, which put older vehicles on the same scale as newer ones. Plug-in hybrid figures in the table are the gas-only ratings, since those are the ones you can compare with a regular car. When the EPA posts an updated file with new model years or corrected ratings, this page is rebuilt from it. The cost calculator uses the gas price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Vehicle data field definitions, including the revised 1984-2007 estimates, fueleconomy.gov
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov