2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 Acura ILX vs BMW 3 Series
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 2.4L 4-cyl · 8-speed dual-clutch · 28 MPG
The 2021 BMW 3 Series is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,975 a year to fuel (30 MPG), versus $2,116 for the 2021 Acura ILX (28 MPG). That's roughly $141 a year, or about $705 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 ILX
- BMW 3 Series
Side by side
| Acura ILX | BMW 3 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,116 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,975 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 30 MPG |
| 24 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 34 MPG | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 89 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 316 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 298 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 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 ILX vs BMW 3 Series across model years
- Acura ILX
- BMW 3 Series
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 has more passenger space (94 vs. 89 cu ft); the BMW 3 Series has more cargo space (13 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the Acura ILX ranks 23rd and the BMW 3 Series 20th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Acura ILX or the 2021 BMW 3 Series?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW 3 Series. The Acura ILX is rated 28 MPG combined and the BMW 3 Series 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Acura ILX vs. the BMW 3 Series per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,116 for the Acura ILX and $1,975 for the BMW 3 Series.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW 3 Series, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Acura ILX vs BMW 3 Series in other years
More 2021 comparisons
Acura ILX vs…
Or compare the 2021 Acura ILX with anything else: