2015 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2015 BMW i8 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.
AWD · 1.5L 3-cyl turbo · 6-speed automatic · 76 MPGe + 28 MPG
FWD · 1.4L 4-cyl · CVT · 82 MPGe + 33 MPG
The 2015 Cadillac ELR 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 $1,348 a year to fuel (82 MPGe + 33 MPG), versus $1,759 for the 2015 BMW i8 (76 MPGe + 28 MPG). That's roughly $411 a year, or about $2,056 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 i8
- Cadillac ELR
Side by side
| BMW i8 | Cadillac ELR | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,759 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,348 |
| 76 MPGe + 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 82 MPGe + 33 MPG |
| 80 MPGe / 28 MPG | City | 85 MPGe / 31 MPG |
| 72 MPGe / 29 MPG | Highway | 80 MPGe / 35 MPG |
| 43 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 41 kWh |
| 330 mi | Driving range | 340 mi |
| 15 mi | All-electric range | 37 mi |
| 81 cu ft | Passenger volume | 83 cu ft |
| 5 cu ft | Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 198 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 91 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| 2 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 5 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Premium gas + electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| 1.5L 3-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 1.4L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| AWD | 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 i8 vs Cadillac ELR across model years
- BMW i8
- 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 330 miles for the BMW i8.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Cadillac ELR has more cargo space (11 vs. 5 cu ft).
Among 36 2015 subcompact cars, the BMW i8 ranks 11th and the Cadillac ELR 7th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 BMW i8 or the 2015 Cadillac ELR?
Measured by cost to drive, the Cadillac ELR. The BMW i8 is rated 76 MPGe + 28 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 i8 vs. the Cadillac ELR per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,759 for the BMW i8 and $1,348 for the Cadillac ELR.
Which has more range?
The Cadillac ELR: about 340 miles versus 330 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Cadillac ELR, with 11 cu ft of luggage volume versus 5 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW i8 vs Cadillac ELR in other years
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