Is the BMW i3 a Good Car? The BMW i3 is an OK luxury small car, but it's not as much fun to drive as many class rivals. Its eco-friendly interior is high quality and distinctive, but it may not appeal to all luxury-car shoppers. The i3 has a decent driving range, though many EV rivals best it. Should I Buy the BMW i3? 44,500. A decade ago, it might have been easy to justify spending that much on an electric vehicle from BMW that lets you go more than 150 miles on a single charge. But the EV game has greatly improved over the years, and there are now tons of attractive - and less expensive - electric car options. With the new Model 3, Tesla has shown it's possible to make an engaging and upscale electric car with near industry-leading range for mainstream prices. Should I Buy a New or Used BMW i3? The 2019 i3 is part of the car's first generation, which began with its introduction for the 2014 model year.
The latest model receives a bigger battery, bumping its range up to 153 miles in the standard electric version and 200 miles in range-extender models. The 2018 BMW i3 has a range of 114 miles and up to 180 miles with the extender. You're probably better off buying a new i3 with its longer range. 7,500 federal tax credit for electric cars, which is only available for new vehicles, can help offset the thousands of dollars you might save by buying a used car. If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2017 i3 and 2018 i3 reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts you can find on used cars. We analyzed 31 BMW i3 reviews - along with reliability ratings, fuel economy estimates, and more - to help you decide if the 2019 i3 is the right new car for you. This 2019 BMW i3 review incorporates applicable research for all model years in this generation, which spans the 2014 through 2019 model years.
U.S. News & World Report has been ranking cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our team has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. To remain objective, we don't accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside team manages the advertising on our site. How Much Does the BMW i3 Cost? 44,450. That's one of the highest starting prices among luxury small cars, though most classmates are not electric vehicles so it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. There are three other configurations of the i3 that add a more powerful motor and/or a range-extending small gasoline engine. Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great deals at your local BMW dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our BMW deals page. Which Is Better: BMW i3 or Tesla Model 3? The Tesla Model 3 is one of the best luxury small cars available.
It has perhaps the best combination of luxury, performance, and affordability in an all-electric car. All configurations of the Model 3 are quicker off the line than the i3: This Tesla can do zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.2 seconds. The Model 3 handles with much more vigor, and unlike the i3, you can get it with all-wheel drive. Inside, both cars have unique styling. The i3's interior is filled with sustainable materials, while the Model 3 has a mock-spaceship design centered around its 15-inch touch-screen command center. From a price consideration, the Model 3 is the clear winner. 35,000 price point originally promised when the car was unveiled. 10,000 more than that. Which Is Better: BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf? The Nissan Leaf is a lot cheaper than the i3, and it's a better pick for budget-conscious shoppers who want to get into an electric vehicle. 30,000, you can get the base Leaf with 150 miles of range. For 2019, Nissan equips Leaf Plus models with a larger battery capable of 226 miles of range.
1,900 less than a base i3. Both cars are similar in performance, boasting quick acceleration and composed handling. The Leaf's interior contains some noticeable hard plastics, so you'll have to weigh that against the price difference between these two cars. How Many People Does the i3 Seat? The BMW i3 seats four people. The front seats are wide and flat, and there's not a lot of lateral support. Though the seats aren't thickly padded, they remain comfortable for long drives. This four-seat car's high roofline creates a good amount of headroom throughout the cabin. The back seats are spacious enough for average-size adults to get comfortable. Entering and exiting the second row is easy thanks to the rear-hinged back doors. However, they can only open once you pop the front doors. The BMW i3 has two complete sets of rear-seat LATCH connections. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for ease of use.
