22 MPG combined won’t win any fuel economy awards, but that’s what buyers of the stylish 2019 BMW 640i xDrive Gran Coupe can expect. This isn’t a car purchased for saving money on gas, it’s a statement. It’s for those who prioritize sleek design, a powerful engine, and the badge on the hood over lower fuel costs. It’s a car that blends luxury and performance, and its fuel consumption reflects that compromise.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2019 640i xDrive Gran Coupe achieves 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The city figure is likely more relevant to the target demographic. People who buy this vehicle likely live in urban or suburban areas and do a lot of stop-and-go driving. Weekend road trips will see numbers closer to that 28 MPG; consider that a pleasant bonus, not the primary reason to choose this car.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $2,650 for the 2019 BMW 640i xDrive Gran Coupe. This figure is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Keep in mind that premium fuel is required for optimum performance, which will skew your costs above the EPA’s average if prices are higher in your area, or if you drive more aggressively than the EPA test cycle assumes.

Real-world expectations

Real-world MPG for the 640i xDrive Gran Coupe can change significantly depending on driving style, traffic conditions, and terrain. Expect to see numbers within a few MPG of the EPA estimates if you drive conservatively and primarily on the highway. More aggressive driving, frequent short trips, and heavy city traffic will push your numbers down. Don’t be surprised to see combined MPG closer to 19 or 20 in demanding conditions. Remember, you’re driving a refined machine with a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive.

How it compares

Compared to its competitors, the 640i xDrive Gran Coupe’s fuel economy is fairly typical. The Audi A7 with its 3.0L TFSI engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 MPG combined, similar to the BMW. The Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4MATIC also achieves around 22 MPG combined. Even within all Bmw fuel economy data, the 640i’s numbers are consistent with other performance-oriented models. Stepping up to the higher-performance M6 Gran Coupe, for example, will reduce efficiency significantly, while browsing 640I MPG across all years shows this generation generally performs the same.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Use the Driving Dynamics Control system. Selecting “Eco Pro” mode optimizes the engine and transmission for fuel efficiency. It will dampen throttle response and encourage earlier upshifts, which can noticeably improve your MPG during everyday driving. This is especially useful in stop-and-go traffic. It is important to remember this vehicle has all-wheel drive, though, so ECO mode will not produce the same gain in efficiency as RWD vehicles.

Monitor your tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the recommended pressure on the door jamb sticker. This is even more crucial with the heavier weight and performance specifications of the 640i’s tires.

Avoid aggressive driving. Rapid acceleration and hard braking consume a lot of fuel. Drive smoothly and anticipate traffic flow to minimize unnecessary acceleration and deceleration. The 640i is tempting to drive fast, but resist the urge to constantly dip into the engine’s power reserves if efficient driving is your goal.

Minimize idling. Idling wastes fuel, especially in modern engines. If you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern vehicles like the 640i are equipped with features like auto start/stop, which shuts the engine off automatically at stoplights to conserve fuel. This system can be deactivated if you wish to keep the engine running during every stop, but keep in mind this means you are sacrificing efficiency.