The 2018 BMW M5’s powerful performance comes with 17 MPG combined. Nobody buys an M5 for its fuel efficiency. They buy it for the rapid acceleration, the responsive handling, and the thrill of driving a fast four-door car. This car is engineered for performance, and fuel economy is a trade-off.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates for the 2018 M5 are 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects stop-and-go traffic, where the M5’s twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 is constantly working hard. The highway number is better, but those eight cylinders still use a lot of premium fuel even when cruising. The eight-speed automatic transmission (S8) tries to keep the engine efficient, but physics wins. The M5 is a heavy car with a very powerful engine, and that requires fuel.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA says the annual fuel cost for the 2018 BMW M5 is $3,400. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using average fuel prices. This is just an estimate, and your actual fuel costs may vary based on your driving and local fuel prices. It shows the financial commitment to keep an M5 fueled and ready to go. To get a better idea of long term cost, research M5 MPG across all years.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA numbers are a starting point, real-world fuel economy for the 2018 M5 will vary. If you drive it hard, you’ll likely see numbers closer to 12 MPG. If you drive carefully, you might get close to the EPA estimates, but few buy an M5 to drive it conservatively. The average M5 owner will likely get between 14 and 19 MPG in mixed driving. You can also get a sense of other models’ efficiency by understanding all Bmw fuel economy data.

How it compares

The 2018 M5’s fuel economy is similar to its rivals. The Mercedes-AMG E63 S, with its own twin-turbo V8, gets about 16 MPG combined. The Audi RS7, another fast luxury sedan, gets around 18 MPG combined. Even the Porsche Panamera Turbo only manages 18 MPG combined. The M5’s fuel consumption is normal for this class. Buyers prioritize power and performance over saving gas, and they accept the fuel economy trade-offs. They want the speed, the handling, the prestige, and they’re willing to pay for it at the dealership and at the pump.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

The M5 won’t ever get great gas mileage, but you can improve its efficiency and save money. First, don’t always accelerate hard. The M5’s power is fun, but full-throttle driving uses a lot of fuel.

Use the M5’s adaptive driving modes. “Comfort” mode softens the throttle and optimizes the transmission for efficiency, making it more relaxed and economical on the highway. This might reduce the M5’s aggression, but it can improve gas mileage.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Regularly check your tire pressures and keep them at the recommended levels in your owner’s manual.

Don’t carry extra weight. The M5 is already heavy, and extra weight in the trunk or cabin makes fuel economy worse. Remove items you don’t need to reduce the load on the engine.

Make sure you only use premium fuel. The M5’s engine needs premium fuel to run efficiently. Using lower-grade fuel can reduce performance and potentially damage the engine, which leads to increased fuel use.