2020 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2020 BMW i8 vs Polestar 1
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
AWD · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 6-speed automatic · 69 MPGe + 27 MPG
AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 58 MPGe + 26 MPG
The 2020 Polestar 1 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,720 a year to fuel (58 MPGe + 26 MPG), versus $1,828 for the 2020 BMW i8 (69 MPGe + 27 MPG). That's roughly $109 a year, or about $545 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
- BMW i8
- Polestar 1
Side by side
| BMW i8 | Polestar 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,828 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,720 |
| 69 MPGe + 27 MPG | Combined efficiency | 58 MPGe + 26 MPG |
| 68 MPGe / 26 MPG | City | 55 MPGe / 22 MPG |
| 70 MPGe / 29 MPG | Highway | 61 MPGe / 31 MPG |
| 49 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 57 kWh |
| 320 mi | Driving range | 470 mi |
| 18 mi | All-electric range | 52 mi |
| 81 cu ft | Passenger volume | 72 cu ft |
| 5 cu ft | Cargo volume | 4 cu ft |
| 191 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 93 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 3 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 9 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| AWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ 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.
BMW i8 vs Polestar 1 across model years
- BMW i8
- Polestar 1
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
The Polestar 1 goes farther between stops: about 470 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 320 miles for the BMW i8.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW i8 has more passenger space (81 vs. 72 cu ft); the BMW i8 has more cargo space (5 vs. 4 cu ft).
Among 39 2020 subcompact cars, the BMW i8 ranks 8th and the Polestar 1 7th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2020 BMW i8 or the 2020 Polestar 1?
Measured by cost to drive, the Polestar 1. The BMW i8 is rated 69 MPGe + 27 MPG combined and the Polestar 1 58 MPGe + 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 BMW i8 vs. the Polestar 1 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,828 for the BMW i8 and $1,720 for the Polestar 1.
Which has more range?
The Polestar 1: about 470 miles versus 320 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW i8, with 5 cu ft of luggage volume versus 4 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
More 2020 comparisons
BMW i8 vs…
Or compare the 2020 BMW i8 with anything else: