2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review$49,700 to $49,700
Original MSRP
--
expert review
avg user rating
(0 reviews)
For our next adventure in hybrid lunacy, BMW presents the 2014 ActiveHybrid 5. To really hammer home the ridiculous place this vehicle holds in the lineup, this year it sits next to the new-to-U.S.-shores 535d, a diesel offering that actually delivers on the function of efficiency, not just the form.
But we’re here to talk about the ActiveHybrid 5 and its unimpressive 23 mpg city/30 highway numbers. We shouldn’t cloud the discussion with the actually impressive 26/38 rating of the 535d, a car that also delivers 413 lb-ft of torque (at a price thousands lower than the hybrid's). Instead we’ll talk about what you get for all that extra cash you’ll fork over for the ActiveHybrid 5.
First, you’ll get more weight. Swapping out the torque converter in the 8-speed ZF transmission for a 55-hp electric motor powered by a 96-cell lithium-ion battery will definitely tip the scales the wrong way, especially when a second 12-volt battery is needed just to run the starter and the extra electrical bits that are usually taken care of by just one 12-volt. Second, you’ll get less responsiveness, as all that deciding between which engine to power the vehicle takes time, even for a computer. Even in the optional Sport mode, the ActiveHybrid 5 will still pause a bit before delivering full power, and you can forget about achieving anywhere near even the 23/30 quoted above unless you’re in the frustratingly slow and boring Eco Pro mode.
Let’s talk about the good. The ActiveHybrid 5 can still jump to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, and it's capable of motivating by electric power alone up to nearly 40 mph—for 2.5 miles. Going downhill, the gasoline engine will disengage and shut off, allowing the car to coast along silently at up to 100 mph, but again you’ll need to have Eco Pro mode engaged to enjoy such benefits.
Also, the ActiveHybrid 5 offers additional technology above and beyond the norm. A rear-view camera and Surround View are included to help you see around your vehicle, as well as Park Distance Control, Parking Assistant, Active Blind-Spot Detection, Lane-Departure Warning and Night Vision with pedestrian recognition. For a car that’s supposed to be built for the driving enthusiast, it seems BMW assumes its typical customer is blind.
However, none of this is enough to overcome the irrationality that is inherent in the design—let alone the price—of the ActiveHybrid series. With traditional gasoline alternatives offering equivalent efficiency with less weight, less complication and more power, the choice is obvious. Ignore the hybrid, save some money and some fuel.
User reviews for 2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 3
Write a reviewWhat users have asked
Top Comparisons
2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 205 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.4 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.81
Engine
Electric Motor HP: 55 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 40 · Electric Motor Torque: 155 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 300 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5800 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 300 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 1300
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: alert system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leatherette
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent