2016 head-to-head · Compact Car
2016 Acura TLX vs BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
RWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 72 MPGe + 31 MPG
The 2016 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $1,614 a year to fuel (72 MPGe + 31 MPG), versus $2,116 for the 2016 Acura TLX (28 MPG). That's roughly $502 a year, or about $2,511 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Acura TLX
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Acura TLX | BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,116 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,614 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 72 MPGe + 31 MPG |
| 24 MPG | City | 67 MPGe / 28 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 78 MPGe / 36 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 47 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 350 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 14 mi |
| 93 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 9 cu ft |
| 321 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 184 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 9/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2 hrs |
| Gas | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| FWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Acura TLX vs BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Acura TLX
- BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (96 vs. 93 cu ft); the Acura TLX has more cargo space (14 vs. 9 cu ft).
Among 51 2016 compact cars, the Acura TLX ranks 39th and the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid 26th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Acura TLX is a conventional gas model, while the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Acura TLX or the 2016 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid. The Acura TLX is rated 28 MPG combined and the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid 72 MPGe + 31 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Acura TLX vs. the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $2,116 for the Acura TLX and $1,614 for the BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Acura TLX, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 9 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Acura TLX vs BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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