BMW 540 MPG by Year & Engine (EPA)

EPA fuel-economy ratings for every rated BMW 540 model year from 1994 to 2027 — each engine and transmission with its official city, highway and combined figures. Over these years the 540 has been offered with 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.0L 8-cyl engines; the most efficient version is the 2018 (up to 30 MPG combined). Data: U.S. Department of Energy & EPA, fueleconomy.gov; prices are live medians from VehiSales listings.

BMW 540 fuel economy by year

YearCombinedEnginesMedian used priceFor sale
2027 28 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl
2026 28 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $79,815 34 listings
2025 28 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $55,648 12 listings
2024 28 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $54,291 6 listings
2023 25–27 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $46,589 51 listings
2022 25–27 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $37,998 18 listings
2021 26–27 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $32,000 32 listings
2020 25 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl
2019 24 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $24,877 40 listings
2018 23–30 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $24,949 12 listings
2017 23–24 MPG 3.0L 6-cyl $19,900 14 listings
2003 16–18 MPG 4.4L 8-cyl
2002 16–18 MPG 4.4L 8-cyl
2001 16–18 MPG 4.4L 8-cyl
2000 16–18 MPG 4.4L 8-cyl
1999 16–18 MPG 4.4L 8-cyl
1998 16–18 MPG 4.4L 8-cyl
1997 16–18 MPG 4.4L 8-cyl
1995 16–18 MPG 4.0L 8-cyl
1994 17 MPG 4.0L 8-cyl

2027 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2027 540 was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 28 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i xDrive Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 26 32 28 MPG

2026 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2026 540 was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 28 MPG. Used 2026 models currently list for a median of $79,815 on VehiSales (34 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i xDrive Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 26 32 28 MPG

2025 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2025 540 was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 28 MPG. Used 2025 models currently list for a median of $55,648 on VehiSales (12 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i xDrive Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 26 33 28 MPG

2024 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2024 540 was EPA-rated in 1 version (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 28 MPG. Used 2024 models currently list for a median of $54,291 on VehiSales (6 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i xDrive Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 26 33 28 MPG

2023 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2023 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 25 to 27 MPG. Used 2023 models currently list for a median of $46,589 on VehiSales (51 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 25 32 27 MPG
540i xDrive Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 22 29 25 MPG

2022 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2022 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 25 to 27 MPG. Used 2022 models currently list for a median of $37,998 on VehiSales (18 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 25 32 27 MPG
540i xDrive Sedan 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 22 29 25 MPG

2021 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2021 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 26 to 27 MPG. Used 2021 models currently list for a median of $32,000 on VehiSales (32 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 25 32 27 MPG
540i xDrive 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 23 31 26 MPG

2020 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2020 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 25 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i xDrive 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 22 29 25 MPG
540i 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 22 30 25 MPG

2019 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2019 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy of 24 MPG. Used 2019 models currently list for a median of $24,877 on VehiSales (40 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 21 29 24 MPG
540i xDrive 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 21 29 24 MPG

2018 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2018 540 was EPA-rated in 3 versions (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 23 to 30 MPG. Used 2018 models currently list for a median of $24,949 on VehiSales (12 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540d xDrive 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Diesel 26 36 30 MPG
540i 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 21 30 24 MPG
540i xDrive 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 20 29 23 MPG

2017 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2017 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (3.0L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 23 to 24 MPG. Used 2017 models currently list for a median of $19,900 on VehiSales (14 for sale).

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 20 30 24 MPG
540i xDrive 3.0L 6-cyl Automatic (S8) Premium 20 29 23 MPG

2003 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2003 540 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (4.4L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 16 22 18 MPG
540i Sport Wagon 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic (S5) Premium 15 19 17 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic (S5) Premium 15 19 17 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Premium 14 21 16 MPG

2002 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2002 540 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (4.4L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 16 22 18 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic (S5) Premium 14 19 16 MPG
540i Sport Wagon 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic (S5) Premium 14 19 16 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Premium 14 21 16 MPG

2001 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2001 540 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (4.4L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 16 22 18 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic (S5) Premium 14 19 16 MPG
540i Sport Wagon 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic (S5) Premium 14 19 16 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Premium 14 21 16 MPG

2000 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 2000 540 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (4.4L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 16 22 18 MPG
540i Sport Wagon 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 14 19 16 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Premium 14 21 16 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 14 19 16 MPG

1999 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 1999 540 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (4.4L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Regular 16 22 18 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Regular 14 21 16 MPG
540i Touring 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Regular 14 19 16 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Regular 14 19 16 MPG

1998 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 1998 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (4.4L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Regular 16 22 18 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Regular 14 22 16 MPG

1997 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 1997 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (4.4L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 16 22 18 MPG
540i 4.4L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Premium 14 22 16 MPG

1995 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 1995 540 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (4.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy from 16 to 18 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.0L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 15 23 18 MPG
540i 4.0L 8-cyl Manual 6-spd Premium 13 22 16 MPG

1994 BMW 540: engines & MPG

The 1994 540 was EPA-rated in 1 version (4.0L 8-cyl), with combined economy of 17 MPG.

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCityHwyCombined
540i 4.0L 8-cyl Automatic 5-spd Premium 15 21 17 MPG

Frequently asked questions

What MPG does a BMW 540 get?

Depending on year and engine, EPA combined ratings for the 540 range from 17 to 30 MPG. The most efficient rated version is the 2018 model year.

What engines does the 2027 BMW 540 have?

The 2027 540 was EPA-rated with 3.0L 6-cyl engines — see the 2027 table above for each version's exact city/highway figures.

Does the BMW 540 require premium gas?

Some versions do: EPA lists premium gasoline and diesel and regular gasoline depending on year and engine — check your year's table above.

Is there a hybrid or electric 540?

Yes — the ratings above include hybrid versions; look for them in the per-year tables.

About this data: EPA ratings from the official U.S. DOE/EPA dataset (fueleconomy.gov), as of August 2026; refreshed monthly. Market prices and listing counts are live medians from VehiSales inventory, updated daily. How to cite: “VehiSales Research, BMW 540 EPA Fuel Economy by Model Year” with a link to https://vehisales.com/research/fuel-economy/bmw/540.

Fuel economy of other models

BMW X3 MPG by year · BMW X5 MPG by year

See also: BMW 540 hub — live listings, prices & reliability · Most fuel-efficient cars by segment · Model price trends. Media inquiries: [email protected].

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