BMW i5 vs Fiat 500e: Specs Compared
Also searched as Fiat 500e vs BMW i5 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The BMW i5 and Fiat 500e are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 116 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 2 measured categories, the BMW i5 leads in 1. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW i5 | Fiat 500e |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 116 mpg | 116 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 120 mpg | 127 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 113 mpg ✓ | 108 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $650 | $650 |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Compact Cars | Minicompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2024–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 30 | 11 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
BMW i5 vs Fiat 500e: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the BMW i5 burns about $650 of fuel annually against $650 for the Fiat 500e. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Fiat 500e is the stronger commuter at 127 mpg city, while the BMW i5 pulls ahead on the interstate at 113 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Drivetrain and class: the BMW i5 is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, the Fiat 500e with Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Compact Cars and Minicompact Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
i5 vs 500e: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW i5 or the Fiat 500e?
The BMW i5 and Fiat 500e are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 116 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Fiat 500e runs about $650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $650 for the BMW i5 — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the i5 and 500e offer?
BMW i5: no engine data on record. Fiat 500e: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the BMW i5 as Compact Cars and the Fiat 500e as Minicompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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Comparison id: bmw-i5-vs-fiat-500e