Autos

BMW X5 xDrive35d

On sale: Fall, 2008

Fuel savings today, 15,000 miles: $269
Year-ago savings: $750
Difference: $481
Mileage: 25 mpg highway
Closest gas model: X5 3.0si
Mileage: 21 mpg highway

The diesel-powered BMW X5 xDrive35d represented a lot more in annual fuel savings a year ago, when diesel fuel cost less than premium gas. Today, rising diesel-fuel costs have cut the estimated annual fuel savings by more than half, to less than $300. The size of the X5 is also a handicap. The same BMW diesel, a turbocharged 3.0-liter, gets 33 mpg on the highway in the smaller BMW 335d. Both new BMW diesels will meet emissions standards in all 50 states.