2016 head-to-head · Subcompact Car
2016 BMW i3 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 · Electric motor (125 kW) · Single-speed · 124 MPGe · 81 mi
The 2016 BMW i3 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 $729 a year to fuel (124 MPGe), versus $1,311 for the 2016 Cadillac ELR (85 MPGe + 32 MPG). That's roughly $582 a year, or about $2,910 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
- Cadillac ELR
Side by side
| BMW i3 | Cadillac ELR | |
|---|---|---|
| $729 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,311 |
| 124 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 85 MPGe + 32 MPG |
| 137 MPGe | City | 87 MPGe / 31 MPG |
| 111 MPGe | Highway | 83 MPGe / 33 MPG |
| 27 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 39 kWh |
| 81 mi | Driving range | 340 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 40 mi |
| 84 cu ft | Passenger volume | 83 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 0 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 |
| Electric | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Premium gas + electricity |
| Electric motor (125 kW) | 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 vs Cadillac ELR across model years
- BMW i3
- 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 81 miles for the BMW i3.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the BMW i3 has more cargo space (15 vs. 11 cu ft).
Among 39 2016 subcompact cars, the BMW i3 ranks 1st and the Cadillac ELR 7th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the BMW i3 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 Cadillac ELR; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 BMW i3 or the 2016 Cadillac ELR?
Measured by cost to drive, the BMW i3. The BMW i3 is rated 124 MPGe combined and the Cadillac ELR 85 MPGe + 32 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 BMW i3 vs. the Cadillac ELR per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $729 for the BMW i3 and $1,311 for the Cadillac ELR.
Which has more range?
The Cadillac ELR: about 340 miles versus 81 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The BMW i3, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 11 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
BMW i3 vs Cadillac ELR in other years
More 2016 comparisons
BMW i3 vs…
Or compare the 2016 BMW i3 with anything else: