DecodedCarsBMW M
23 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2027
- Class
- Subcompact Cars, Compact Cars, Minicompact Cars
- Latest engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 13–26 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns, all years
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 5,793 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 M in brief
The 2026 BMW M is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 21% worse than the 2026 subcompact car average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The BMW M has 23 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Subcompact Cars, Compact Cars, Minicompact Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2021 at 26 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 13 to 26 MPG.
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.
How the 2005 M compares
The 2005 BMW M is a minicompact car offered with a 3.2L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 10% worse than the 2005 minicompact car average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
About the BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of the German automobile BMW AG that manufactures high-performance luxury cars.
From the Wikipedia article "BMW M", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 M pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 19 MPG combined, 21% below the 2026 subcompact car average of 24 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 M
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 10 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
M changes by model year
- 2025
- New plug-in hybrid version
- 2022
- No hybrid version any more
- Engines dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 6.6L 12-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 26 to 19
- 2021
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- 2020
- Engine added: 6.6L 12-cyl turbo
- 2019
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 24
- 2016
- Best combined MPG down from 25 to 22
- 2015
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 17 to 25
- 2014
- Engine dropped: 4.0L 8-cyl
- 2013
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- 2012
- Engine added: 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- 2011
- Engine dropped: 5.0L 10-cyl
- 2008
- Engine added: 4.0L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 13 to 16
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 23 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.6L 12-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 17 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl | 17 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 4.0L 8-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 4.0L 8-cyl | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 4.0L 8-cyl, 5.0L 10-cyl | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 4.0L 8-cyl, 5.0L 10-cyl | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4.0L 8-cyl, 5.0L 10-cyl | 16 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5.0L 10-cyl | 13 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 3.2L 6-cyl, 5.0L 10-cyl | 17 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 3.2L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Alternatives to the 2026 M
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW 4 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Maserati GranTurismo | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 BMW 8 Series | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi RS | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Maserati Grancabrio | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →