2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model 3
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 · 68 MPGe + 25 MPG
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 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 $656 a year to fuel (139 MPGe), versus $1,714 for the 2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid (68 MPGe + 25 MPG). That's roughly $1,057 a year, or about $5,287 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 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid
- Tesla Model 3
Side by side
| BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,714 | Your annual fuel cost | $656 |
| 68 MPGe + 25 MPG | Combined efficiency | 139 MPGe |
| 65 MPGe / 22 MPG | City | 147 MPGe |
| 73 MPGe / 28 MPG | Highway | 130 MPGe |
| 49 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 24.3 kWh |
| 430 mi | Driving range | 321 mi |
| 34 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 98 cu ft | Passenger volume | 97 cu ft |
| 14 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 133 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 9/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 2 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 12.1 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Electricity |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | Electric motor (225 kW) |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | Single-speed |
| AWD | 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.
BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model 3 across model years
- BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid
- Tesla Model 3
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 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 430 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 321 miles for the Tesla Model 3.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Tesla Model 3 has more cargo space (15 vs. 14 cu ft).
Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid ranks 16th and the Tesla Model 3 1st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Tesla Model 3 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 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid or the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
Measured by cost to drive, the Tesla Model 3. The BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid is rated 68 MPGe + 25 MPG combined and the Tesla Model 3 139 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Tesla Model 3 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,714 for the BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid and $656 for the Tesla Model 3.
Which has more range?
The BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid: about 430 miles versus 321 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Tesla Model 3, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid vs Tesla Model 3 in other years
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