About the BMW i3

Sold in the United States from model years 2014-2021, the i3 was the first BMW electric car designed for series production. It featured an innovative design that incorporated carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic construction and sustainable interior materials, and it was available in both all-electric and range-extended (REx) configurations. The latter used a small gasoline engine to charge the battery pack.

What are the advantages of the BMW i3?

• Fun to drive
• Multiple powertrain options

What is the best BMW i3 model year?

BMW continually updated the i3 over its production run, so it's probably best to go with one of the later model years. The battery-pack size actually doubled over the course of the i3's existence, while range from the all-electric version increased from 81 miles to 153 miles. A sportier i3s was also available from the 2018 model year until the end of production.

What are the disadvantages of the BMW i3?

• Potentially polarizing design
• Unimpressive electric range

Comparison: Is the BMW i3 better than the Tesla Model 3?

The BMW i3 doesn't compare favorably to its closest rival, the Tesla Model 3. The Tesla has more conventional packaging, aiding usability, and offers more range and better acceleration than the BMW. Tesla build quality is less consistent, however.

Is the BMW i3 a reliable car?

The i3 received a J.D. Power consumer rating score of 82 out of 100 points for the 2017 model year, the most recent rated by the organization. The i3 was ranked second in the Small Premium Car category for 2017, above many conventional gasoline cars.

Is the BMW i3 worth the cost?

With its limited range and lack of cargo space, the i3 isn't the most practical EV. Quirky design aside, it was also priced like a BMW even though customers were effectively getting a small hatchback. Prices for used examples are down significantly, though, so the i3 is turning into a good value as a used car.