2021 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV
2021 Audi e-tron vs BMW X5 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.
AWD · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 50 MPGe + 20 MPG
The 2021 Audi e-tron 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 $1,172 a year to fuel (78 MPGe), versus $2,204 for the 2021 BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid (50 MPGe + 20 MPG). That's roughly $1,033 a year, or about $5,163 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
- Audi e-tron
- BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Audi e-tron | BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,172 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,204 |
| 78 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 50 MPGe + 20 MPG |
| 78 MPGe | City | 47 MPGe / 19 MPG |
| 77 MPGe | Highway | 54 MPGe / 22 MPG |
| 43.4 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 63 kWh |
| 222 mi | Driving range | 400 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 31 mi |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 178 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| 10 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 5 hrs |
| Electric | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| Electric motors (313 kW) | Engine / motor | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo |
| Single-speed | 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.
Audi e-tron vs BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Audi e-tron
- BMW X5 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
The BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 400 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 222 miles for the Audi e-tron.
Among 65 2021 midsize & large SUVs, the Audi e-tron ranks 2nd and the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid 12th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Audi e-tron is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Audi e-tron or the 2021 BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Audi e-tron. The Audi e-tron is rated 78 MPGe combined and the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid 50 MPGe + 20 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Audi e-tron vs. the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,172 for the Audi e-tron and $2,204 for the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid: about 400 miles versus 222 miles.
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