BMW X3 — MPG & Fuel Costs 2025
BMW's mid-size premium SUV. Great handling, spacious cabin, and highly refined. The diesel engines are the most popular choice.
The BMW X3 is a popular premium mid-size SUV that combines spacious family practicalities with BMW's signature driving dynamics. It offers a high driving position, comfortable ride, and a premium cabin feel.
It is powered by 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, all featuring all-wheel drive (xDrive). The xDrive20d diesel is the most popular choice in the UK, offering a good balance of power and efficiency.
In real-world driving, the xDrive20d averages around 41 MPG, while the petrol 20i returns around 31 MPG. The large 65-litre tank ensures a decent cruising range for family holidays and long business trips.
TL;DR
31 MPG
Real-world petrol
41 MPG
Real-world diesel
65L
Tank capacity
£88.92
Full tank (petrol)
20.1p
Per mile (petrol)
Real-World Fuel Economy: The BMW X3 achieves an estimated 31 MPG (petrol) and 41 MPG (diesel) in real-world UK driving conditions, accounting for a 12% WLTP real-world penalty.
Forecourt Fuel Cost: Refueling the 65-litre tank completely costs approximately £88.92 (petrol) or £92.36 (diesel) at average UK fuel price rates.
Fuel economy at a glance
31
Real-world MPG
Petrol
37.2
Official WLTP
Petrol
41
Real-world MPG
Diesel
48.7
Official WLTP
Diesel
Annual fuel costs by mileage
| Annual mileage | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 miles/yr | £1003 | £788 |
| 7,400 miles/yr(UK average) | £1485 | £1166 |
| 10,000 miles/yr | £2006 | £1576 |
| 15,000 miles/yr | £3009 | £2363 |
| 20,000 miles/yr | £4012 | £3151 |
| Full tank (65L) | £88.92 | £92.36 |
| Cost per mile | 20.1p | 15.8p |
Based on UK average fuel prices: petrol 136.8p/L · diesel 142.1p/L. Prices updated regularly.
How does the X3 compare?
Tips to get better MPG from your X3
Use Eco Pro mode on the motorway to allow the car to coast and decouple the engine when you lift off.
The X3 is a heavy all-wheel-drive SUV; avoid aggressive throttle inputs to prevent fuel consumption from spiking.
Check tyre pressures regularly; the wide tyres on M Sport models can drag down MPG if they are under-inflated.
Is the cheaper petrol station worth it?
In a BMW X3 achieving ~31 MPG real-world, if you fill 52 litres and the alternative station is 10p/litre cheaper:
£5.20
Gross saving on fuel
£0.60
Cost of 3-mile detour
£4.60
Net saving ✓
You could drive up to 26 miles round-trip before the saving disappears entirely.
Calculate for your exact situationPopular variants
Frequently asked questions
What is the real-world MPG of the BMW X3?
The BMW X3 achieves approximately 31 MPG in real-world petrol driving — around 12% lower than the official WLTP figure of 37.2 MPG due to real driving conditions. Diesel variants achieve around 41 MPG real-world.
How much does it cost to fill a BMW X3?
The BMW X3 has a fuel tank of 65 litres. At the UK average of 136.8p/litre for petrol, a full tank costs approximately £88.92. Diesel costs approximately £92.36 for a full tank.
What is the annual fuel cost for a BMW X3?
At the UK average annual mileage of 7,400 miles and current petrol price of 136.8p/litre, a BMW X3 costs approximately £1485 per year in fuel. At 10,000 miles/year the cost rises to £2006. Actual costs vary with your driving style and mileage.
Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station in a BMW X3?
In a BMW X3 doing ~31 MPG real-world, driving 3 miles round-trip to save 10p/litre on a 52-litre fill nets approximately £4.60 after the extra fuel cost. You could drive up to 26 miles before the saving is eaten up. Use the WorthThePump calculator for your exact situation.
How much does the BMW X3 cost per mile in fuel?
The BMW X3 costs approximately 20.1p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. Over a typical commute of 30 miles per day, that is approximately £6.03 per day in fuel.
What is the WLTP MPG figure for the BMW X3?
The official WLTP fuel economy figure for the BMW X3 is 37.2 MPG. However, real-world MPG is typically 10–15% lower than WLTP due to cold starts, air conditioning, motorway speeds, and varying loads. WorthThePump uses a 12% real-world penalty to give a more accurate estimate.
Related guides
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