2026 head-to-head · Compact Car
2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs Volkswagen GLI
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2026 Volkswagen GLI is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,603 a year to fuel (29 MPG), versus $1,911 for the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid (31 MPG). That's roughly $308 a year, or about $1,539 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 3 Series Hybrid
- Volkswagen GLI
Side by side
| BMW 3 Series Hybrid | Volkswagen GLI | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,911 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 35 MPG |
| 94 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 286 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 307 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| RWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ 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 3 Series Hybrid vs Volkswagen GLI across model years
- BMW 3 Series Hybrid
- Volkswagen GLI
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 Volkswagen GLI has more cargo space (16 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 21 2026 compact cars, the BMW 3 Series Hybrid ranks 13th and the Volkswagen GLI 12th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the BMW 3 Series Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Volkswagen GLI is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid or the 2026 Volkswagen GLI?
Measured by cost to drive, the Volkswagen GLI. The BMW 3 Series Hybrid is rated 31 MPG combined and the Volkswagen GLI 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs. the Volkswagen GLI per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,911 for the BMW 3 Series Hybrid and $1,603 for the Volkswagen GLI.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen GLI, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
More 2026 comparisons
BMW 3 Series Hybrid vs…
Or compare the 2026 BMW 3 Series Hybrid with anything else: