2015 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2015 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Cadillac ELR
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
RWD · 0.6L 2-cyl · Single-speed · 117 MPGe + 39 MPG
FWD · 1.4L 4-cyl · CVT · 82 MPGe + 33 MPG
The 2015 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid 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 $905 a year to fuel (117 MPGe + 39 MPG), versus $1,348 for the 2015 Cadillac ELR (82 MPGe + 33 MPG). That's roughly $443 a year, or about $2,214 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 i3 Plug-in Hybrid
- Cadillac ELR
Side by side
| BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid | Cadillac ELR | |
|---|---|---|
| $905 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,348 |
| 117 MPGe + 39 MPG | Combined efficiency | 82 MPGe + 33 MPG |
| 127 MPGe / 41 MPG | City | 85 MPGe / 31 MPG |
| 107 MPGe / 37 MPG | Highway | 80 MPGe / 35 MPG |
| 29 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 41 kWh |
| 150 mi | Driving range | 340 mi |
| 72 mi | All-electric range | 37 mi |
| 84 cu ft | Passenger volume | 83 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 40 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 91 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 4 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 5 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 0.6L 2-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.4L 4-cyl |
| Single-speed | Transmission | CVT |
| 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 i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Cadillac ELR across model years
- BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid
- Cadillac ELR
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 Cadillac ELR goes farther between stops: about 340 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 150 miles for the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (15 vs. 11 cu ft).
Among 36 2015 subcompact cars, the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid ranks 4th and the Cadillac ELR 7th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid or the 2015 Cadillac ELR?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid. The BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid is rated 117 MPGe + 39 MPG combined and the Cadillac ELR 82 MPGe + 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Cadillac ELR per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $905 for the BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid and $1,348 for the Cadillac ELR.
Which has more range?
The Cadillac ELR: about 340 miles versus 150 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 11 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrid vs Cadillac ELR in other years
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